YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1258, 22 July 1880, Page 3

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING.

"Wellington, 7.15 p.m. The Housje met at 2.30. The Hon. Mr Dick gave notice that he would ask leave to introduce the Public Entertainments Prohibition Bill.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. 11l replying to questions, it was stated that the Government would not lose sight of the importance of the telephone in connection with railway stations, but there were difficulties in the way of using that instrument in pitMic business. — Instructions had been given to Registrars, under the Elections Registration Act to make returns as soon as possible, and with that object to place thereon or add thereto the names of persons of whose qualifications he is satisfied, and it was his duty to assure himself of the right of every man to have his name retained on the roll.

THE GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE. The report of the Life Insurance Department would be on the table in about five or six weeks.

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. The Public Works Statement would probably be made next week. NATIVE LAND SALES.— THE NATIVE MINISTER'S EXPLANATION RE PATETERE. la the debate on the second reading of the Native Land Sales Bill Mr Tole stated that the Bill should have been considered in connection with the whole of the native policy, but would not oppose its passage. Mr Montgomery argued that natives should be appointed to co-operate with their lands. He supported the Bill generally Mr Bryce replied. He complaiaed that his connection with the Patetere Block had been grossly misrepresented. What he aimed at doing was to show that the system hitherto in operation had been bad and had been abused, and in doing so he fully expected to be attacked, but the attack made by the member for Mount Ida had beon much more bitterly personal than he ever expected. The assertion that he had stopped the surrey of the land at the instigation of the European speculators was false. The deputation that waited on him on the subject was a deputation of Maoris, and it was at their instigation alone that the survey had been stopped Advances had been made upon the land in the loosest possible manner, and there was very slight prospect indeed of the land ever being secured by the Government. Tho Maori mind was in a state of irritation at the whole thing, and, under these circumstances, it was not wonderful that the Government should desire to get well rid of it. Seeing that there was no hope of getting the block, the next best thing was to get the advances repaid. Nearly all the land had been put through the Court; the titles ascertained; and the Government otherwise placed in a fair way for getting back the advances ; the proclamation had been kept on the land, and would not be removed until the advances had been repaid. That was not, as had been asserted, playing " a double game " on his part. He had never at any time been guilty of such practices, having never all his life told a lie or been guilty of misrepresentation. He also contradicted the statement that the Chief Judge of the_ Native Lands Court had been guilty "of irregularities. Had he (Mr Bryce) been guilty of the acts stated by the member for Mo,unt Ida he never could have lifted up his head in that House again. Tho motion for the second" reading was put and carried on the voices. Sir George Grey said he would in Committee propose an amendment whereby natives would have sole control altogether over their estate.

FEMALE FRANCHISE. i Dr Wallis moved that the franchise be extended to female freeholders. Mr Seddon moved as an amendment that the words be not inserted. The debate was interrupted by the House adjourning at 3.30.