YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1272, 24 August 1880, Page 3

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING.

The House re-assembled at 2. 30 p.m. The report of the Public Account Committee re the £310,00 improperly expended in connection with the Waimate Plains Was read, and it was recommended that the matter should be investigated by the Auditor-General. The Electric Telegraphic Act, 1875, Amendment Bill was committed, and after some discussion the clauses authorising the special wire was negatived by 35 to 20. Progress was reported. Major Atkinson moved the sscond reading of the Beer Tax Bill. He said the Government intended to abandon the Local Rating Bill, and in lieu thereof proposed to pay one -half of the subsidies for the remaining nine months. Referring to the Bill itself, he said it was practically the measure brought down in 1878. He thought the estimate made of the amount to be realised under the impost was not over estimated. The total duty they had collected to date was at the rate of £58,000 per annum and there could be no doubt but that many of the brewers had been holding back. He regretted having to impose the t ix, but their necessities were very great and it was unavoidable. Mr Reader Wood said that after the statement made that £107,000 saving had been effected on the Estimates, he thought they might remit the taxation on beer from Gd to 3d, and on property from a penny to a half-penny. The debate should not be forced on until they had time to consider these subjects. Mr Macandrew adopted a similar view, but thought the second reading should be Sassed, and the matter should be further ealt with in committee. Mr Gisborne spoke against the Bill. Mr Barron moved the adjournment of the debate. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. On the House re-assembling, after some further debate the Beer and Duty Bill was read a second time anadivisiou by ol to 21.