PARLIAMENTARY. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING. LAST NIGHT'S SITTING.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1274, 28 August 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING.

LAST NIGHT'S SITTING.

Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30. Mr Pyke gave notice that he would move, in the opinion of the House, that it is desirahle that the Northern and Middle Islands of New Zealand should be created into separate colonies, and that with this view of effecting such separation a commission should be appointed to consider and report upon the allocation of the colonial debt and conditions subjected, to which duties of custom, and post, and telegraphic charges shall be allocated to each island. That a message be sent to the Legislative Council asking their concurrence, and inviting that branch of the Legislature to appoint a committee to confer with a committee of the House thereupon. Mr Bain gave notice to ask if Government would prepare and circulate, during the recess, a Bill embodying the recommendation of the Court Committee, re the bankruptcy laws ? Mr Fulton gave notice that he would ask Government what course they intended pursuing in regard to local bodies who had entered on contracts for public works, on the faith of a continuation of subsidies ? Mr Sheehan moved, without notice — "That the evidence in the petition of Clark and Kittos be printed. The allegations in the petition reflected upon his character, and nad been a good deal commented upon, and as it completely exculpated him, he thought it was only fair that the result should be made public."

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. It was stated that Government would, during the recess, consider the desirability of increasing the ad valorem duties on articles which can be manufactured in the colony. A sum of money could be placed on the Supplementary Estimates to encourage local industries, and, if passed, Government would consider what amount should be devoted as a bonus to manufacture cement. It was intended to amalgamate the Post and Telegraph Offices, and where the combined revenues would warrant the extra rate of 6d charged on telegrams sent from non-paying offices would be rescinded. The Government would consider any proposal for laying the permanent way or for the making of the railway from Hokitika to Arahura conditionally on a guarantee being given of 5 per cent, of the outlay. The attention of the Government had been directed to the utilisation of sparkcatchers for locomotives, and so far as they had been applied they had been moderately successful in preventing conflagration. The Court of Primary, Secondary, and University Edacation out of rents of reserves and other public funds, in addition to the vote under class 8 of Ordinary Estimates, and class 9 of Public Works Estimate had been £447,022. Inquiries had been made into the truth of the report alledged against two detectives in forcing an entrance into a young woman's bedroom after notice had been given that any excitement would be dangerous to her life, and it was found the report was not justified. The cost of work for protecting the railway north of Timaru, including haulage, was £3616. It was intended to give effect to the recommendation of the Industries Commission on conservating public forests. The Public Workß Bill was read a second time and partly passed through committee. The House adjourned at 5.30.

The debate was resumed on the resolution re inscription of stock. Mr Maclean thought the matter might remain over until next year. Mr Reader Wood thought the inscription of no benefit whatever to the colony and supported the amendment. — The resolution was negatived on the voices, and the amendment was then withdrawn, and the Chairman then left the chair. In committee, the Public Works Bill was resumed. Clause 14, relating to roads through native lands was struck put. The discussion on the other olauses is proceeding,