HOUSE OF REPERSENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4892, 13 September 1884, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPERSENTATIVES.

Eeplying to questions put, it was stated that the taking of educational lands from school committees, and conferring them od the Lands Department, was a subject closely connected with that of local Gotprnment, and Government did not propose dealing with that subject this sessicn. —The burial ground at Oheamai, where the British officers fell at the battle with Heke, would be fenced in.—A bill had been prepared to amend the Corporation Act, but it was doubtful if it would be passed this session.—Favorable consideration would be given to the establishment of an Agricultural Department in connection with the Government. —A quantity of rolling stock had been forwarded from England of a most inferior qualify, and the Addington railway workshop had to improve it at great expense. An Imprest Supply Bill of £150,000 was introduced by message from tbe^Governor, and passed through all its stages. The following motion was adopted :— That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report on the best mode to encourage and promote the trade between 14ew Zealand and the South Sea Islands; the Committee to have power to confer or sit together with any similar Committee which may be appointed by the Legislative Council, the Committee to consist of Sir Geo. Grey, Messrs Harper, Larnach, Moss, Knssell, and the mover. Mrßichardson moved—That a Committee, to consist of eleven members, be appointed to consider and report on the best route for the North Island Trunk Bailway, to report on it in fourteen days; the Committee to consist of Messrs Atkinson, Bruce, Fitzberbert, Grey, Gore, Johnston, Mitchelson, Morris, Ormond, White, and the mover.—Mr Lake moved, as an amendment: That a Committee of seven be elected, to consist wholly of Scmfch Island members.—The amendment was carried on the voices.—Mr Dargaville asked if, when appointing the Committee, It would not be better to make it a Joint Committee of both Houses. —Mr Stout replied that as the motion stood at present, the Government had no power to carry out the wishes of the hon. member.— Mr Bichardson moved the following as the committee:—Messrs Fergus, Fulton, Gore, Larnach, Montgomery, White, and the mover. —Motion agreed to. The Married Women's Property Bill was considered in committee.—The Premier moved an additional clause to the effect that no woman whose husband is a Maori or halfrcaste is entitled under this Act to sell her property without first obtaining the consent of her husband. — Mr Bryce objected to the clause, as not dealing fairly with the natives, and as contrary to their marriagb custom.—The motion was rejected on the voices. The Foreign Companies Bill and Bankruptcy Amendment Bill were read a second time.—The Premier said be would not proceed with the Counties Bill, as the Government intended to deal with the whole question of local government at a future date. The bill was discharged from the paper.—The Mortgages Kelease Extension Bill passed through committee, and the third reading was appointed for Tuesday. Mr Barron moved the House go into committee on the Plurality of Votes Bill. M r Harper moved that it be committed that day six months.—Mr Fitzherbert supported the amendment, and pointed out defects in the bill upon which, if it cot into committee, he would move amendments —Mr J. S. McKeDzie said support to tne amendment was designed to bfltk the measure altogether. He quoteci (torn political authors to show that if a healthy spirit was to be diffused among th « property classes, it was necessary that in these electoral rights they should be placed on a par with men of a different class. [Lflft Sitting.]