THURSDAY'S SITTING. Wellington, 7.15 p.m. The House met at 2.30.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1259, 24 July 1880, Page 3

THURSDAY'S SITTING. Wellington, 7.15 p.m. The House met at 2.30.

THE RAILWAY EMPLOYES. Mr Richardson presented a petition, signed by 627 employes of the New Zealand Railway, praying that the proposed reduction of their wages might ba considered. In reply to Mr. Richardson, Mr. Oliver said +.he Railway Commissioners for the North and South Islands had communicated their views on the proposal for reduction in the wages of railway employes. They recommended that the reduction should be made in certain directions, and the Government would use its best endeavours to have these reductions made so as not to cause the wages to be lower than those paid for similar labour outside the Government service. Mr. Mcdonald asked if the Government are aware that the natives have erected a fence acrsss the main road near Foxton, and what steps the Government intend taking in the matter ; also, if it is tue that the Government have agreed to pay the coachiproprietoe the various sums of money paid to the natives by the said coach proprietor for allowing the said coach and passengers to pass along the main road between Foxton and Wellington. Mr. Bryce said that the road in question was not the main line of road, but passed over sandhills claimed to be the property of the Maoris. The Government had undertaken to refund the coachdriver the amount levied by the Maoris, and in the meantime steps were being taken to lay off a permanent road in another direction.

BILLS INTEODUCED. The Public Entertainment Prohibition Bill and the Town Districts Bill (Mr Dick) were introduced. The object of the latter Bill Mr. Dick explained was to give certain simple powers of local government to towns of not sufficient population to become municipalities.

IN COMMITTEE. The Public Health Act, 1876, Amendment Bill passed with amendments. The debate on the Wellington Racing Club Bill was interrupted at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. THE NATIVE COMMISSION. Mr. Whitaker asked leave, on behalf of Mr. Sheehan, who was absent giving evidence as a witness in the Supreme Court, that his motion to take the West Coast Native Commission report into consideration, which notice stood No 7. on the paper, might be postponed, and made the first business for next Thursday, Nothing would be lost* by the postpoiiement, as not only would the motion probably not be reached to-day, even if Mr. Sheehan were present, but it was understood that a third report from the Commission would probably be presented on Monday next, and it would be desirable and save time to wait until this third report was before them, so that the whole subje t might be discussed at once. The speaker said nothing could be done with No. 7 until it was reached in due course, except by the unanimous consent of the House. On the Question being put, Mr. Turnbull objected, and the Speaker called on the next order.

FIRE BRIGADES BILL. The House went into committee on the Fire Brigades Bill. Mr. Speight said he would object to the Bill if it gave power to corporations to strike a separate rate without being- empowered to do so by the ratepayers There was far too much rating p^wer proposed to be given local bodies in the Bills before the House, and on clause 16 he moved an amendment in accordance with these remarks. The House divided. Ayes, 32 ; noes, 23. The clause as printed passed. Mr. lleid proposed » new clause, exempting members of volunteer Fire Brigades from serving on juries. The Speaker mled that the proposal could not be entertained in connection with this Bill. It wss strictly a puestion to be neolt with in the Juiies Act. The Bill was repoited with amendincut-*.

HOSPITALS AFD CHARITABLE AID ENDOWMENT BILL. On the motion that the Hous** go into committee on the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Endowment Bill, Mr. Turnbull moved, " That the House go into committee that day six months." Mr. Hall said the Government approved of the principle of the Bill, and would give to the proposals their general support. After some f uither discussion the amendment was negatived on the voices, and the House went into committee. A motion that the words " million acres" be struck out as the endowment was lo.st on a division of 2i to 23, and the words as printed were carried. Mr Murray moved, "That the word • pastoral ' be inserted to describe the character of the endowment.." Ayes, 8; noes, 37. The bill uas reported with amendments at 1.10 a.m., when the House rose.