Parliamentary.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 957, 10 August 1878, Page 2

Parliamentary.

EOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday. The House opened at 2.30. VEIGHEfiS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE. Mr J. C. Brown asked, "If the Government would introduce a Bill providing for the appointment of licensed weighers of agricultural produce delivered at the railway stations f The Hon. J. Macandrew said he thought the present Bill provided all necessary facilities, but if it was thought further legislation was requisite, the Governraeut would consider ths matter more fully. LEASING AUCKLAND RAILWAYS, ETC. Mr J. C. Brown asked, «If Government intended giving effact to the recommendations of the Railway Management Committee of the last sessiou respecting the leasing of the Auckland and Mercer railway, the local audit of railway accounts, and vending of tickets at other places than railway stations ?" The Hon. J. Macandrew said since the committee sat, very large reductions had been made m the railway charges on that line, and thus remove the principal cause of complaint. Under these circumstances the Government did not. deem it advisable, to take any steps m the direction indicated. As for the latter part of the question, steps were -now being taken to give effect to the proposals,, and the result would propably be before the House before the prorogation. Tl/E COUNTIES ACT. In reply to a question by Mr Tole, The Hon J. Sheehan said the Government had no intention to bring m a bill for repealing the permissive clauses of the Counties Act and to mike the adoption of the whole Act compulsory. They deemed it best to allow the Counties to work out their own destinies. ENDOWMENTS TO MUNICIPALITES. Mr Steveii3 asked " Whether the Govemmeat would introduce a measure this session, dealing with the subject of endowments for Counties and Municipalities, as promised last session 1" The Hon R. Stout said it was simply impossible that all Road Boards and Municipalities m the colony could be endowed more than they were at present. The Government, therefore, could not grant the endowments looked for. Mr Kussell proposed Ih3 grafting of an endowment to local bodies, unless for the purpose of charitable aid. It was absurd to talk of the

Way m which the value of land was (Milmcaed by public works, nnd want tv set apart more land as eu- ' dowrnents for the very land so bene- ' fitted by public works. I Mr. O'liorke raised a strong remonstrance ayainst. refusing endow- ; meuts.to the newly-created Boroughs , Auckland, after certain Canterbury Boroughs had been granted rich endowments. If things were to be co.-iducted on that principal, he hoped the Government would retain the possession of all the remaining reserves. '• The debate was interrupted by s.3o— the dinner hour.