HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4916, 11 October 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Replying to questions put, it was stated that Government considered that asylum attendants should be wholly under the control of the authorities of their respective institutions, and that they should exercise sole control as to their dismissal. —The police were instructed to afford all reasonable assistance to the local bodies for enforcing the penal clause provided by the Dog Registration Act.— Government promised that steps should be taken to remedy the defective accom*

modation of the Napier Lunatic Asylum. —The defence of the principal seaports would be considered during the reces3. —■ Government would assist as far as possible in developing the products, which the j North Island is so prolific, but respecting j which the inhabitants are in ignorance; Government, however, would not undertake the establishment of an Agricultural School for this particular purpose.—lmmediate steps would be taken to reorganise the Babbit Department.—Government was aware of an extensive brown coal seam near the Waimate Hallway, and as soon as possible the value of the seam would be reported on.—The Governmentwould be prepared to introduce a bill nest session to extend the provisions of the existing law relating to the drainage of lands in the following directions, viz , by way of advancing to the districts money for the purpose of carrying out large j works of drainage, such as the straightening of water courses, the Government i taking over the rating powers to cover 'interest and sinking fund; to assist by way of subsidy (say £1 for £1} the efforts of districts in carrying out large works for drainage.

Sir Julius Vogel moved the second reading of the East and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway Bill. He urged the importance of the work on the ground that whereas the district was known to be rich in mineral wealth, the carriage of goods was so great that it was practically impossible to develop these resources at present. What was aimed at was the organisation of a company to carry on the work.—Mr J. W.Thompson opposed the measure, arguing that the fiuancial condition of. the colony would not warrant an undertaking of the kind, and that despite the intervention of a company, the money, expended would be a liability on the colony.—The debate was adjourned till Monday. On the motion of Sir George Grey, the Gisborne Harbor Board Bill was reported, read a third iime, and passed.

The following bills were commuted :— Manukau Harbor, Auckland Harbor Board, and Auckland and Manukau Harbors. —After a great deal of discussion, on the recommendation of Mr Stout it was agreed that they should be withdrawn, so that an opportunity might be afforded for the conflicting parties arriving at some better understanding. They were accordingly reported, and on the House resuming they were withdrawn.

The debate was resumed on the motion for the second reading of the Wangaaui Harbor Bill.—Mr Bruce, who represented a district to be rated by the Bill, opposed it. He urged that the members in charge of the Bill should adopt the suggestion of Mr Bryce, and defer the question until next session.—Sir G. Grey would oppose tbe Bill, as he considered it bad been shown that the constitution of districts was not a fair one.—Col. Trimble would like to see the advice tendered by tbe Premier on tbe previous three bills applied to this measure. He moved that the Bill be read a second time this day three months.—Mr Ballance, in reply, strongly urged the House to pass the second reading, and if it was necessary the Bill could be amended in committee. —Mr Bryce strongly opposed the second reading, and warned the House that if they forced this Bill through it would be against the voice of the people. Several petitions had been presented against the passage of the measure. On the hustings be had declared against (his Bill, and his action bad met with satisfaction, and he was positive that had be been addressing his con stituents and told them he would support the measure, it would have cost him bis election. —The motion for second reading was then put —Ayes 34, noes 16. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Thursday next.