HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1899, 6 September 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THURSDAY. Mit Stout intimated that the hon. P. A. Buckley had joined the Government a-> Colonial Secretary. Several new bills were read a first time. Mr Ro^s moved the second reading of the Otago Harbovn Boaid Empowering Bill. After some discussion the motion was> can ied. A motion to the effect that a copy of the agreement between the Government and the Union Steamship Company, in regard to the conveyance of mails, be laid on the table was cairied. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until the following day.

FRIDAY. The House met at 2.30. Sir G. Grey gave notice of a bill for the reduction of postage on newspapers. Mr Wi Pere gave notice of the Native Lands Law Amendment Act, in the direction of bringing the Native Lvnd Courts near to the block of land when put through ; to prevent the Chief Judge hearing first claims, and thereby placing him in an awkward position in relation to the second ; and to reduce the fees chargeable in land couits adjudicating. The Minister of Public Works gave notice of a committee to consider the North Island Railway route, consisting of Sir G. (Irey, Messrs Ormond, Atkinson, B;uce, Fifoherbert, Gore, Johnston, Mitchelson, Morris, Whyte and Richardson. He would ■\sk that this committee be appointed on Wednesday. In reply to a question put by Mr Hursthouse, Mr Stout explained that immediately on the intelligence of the shipwreck becoming known, a vessel with all necessary assistance, including a coips of bu->hnien to search for the men who got ashore and had disappeared, was despatched to the scene of the wreck. Replying to questions put, it was stated anoppoitunity would be afforded for discussing the Federation and Annexation Bill adopted by the Intercolonial Confeience. It was not proposed to provi le a peeania. *y toward for the discovery of a tin mmc i 1 New Zetland. The following bills were introduced and road a first tini 3 : — Maori Representation (Mr Taiaroa) ; Foreign Companies, Local Courts, Bankruptcy A.ct Amendment, Public Wotks Amendment (Mr Stout) ; Spencer Restoration of Water Rights, Tamanga Labour (C.ipt. Moms) ; Seaman's Implementation (Mr Bruce). The following lulls wero read a second time : — Mai 1 ied Women's Pi operty, Electric Lines, Police Offences Consolidation, Mottgageb Release Extension (Mr Stout) ; Pensions (Mr Slnimski.) Mi Shrimski moved the second reading of the Licensing Act (1881) Amendment Bill. Mr Hursthouse moved the second reading that day six modths. The House divided: For the second reading 29, against 3S). The notice foi the second reading was lost. The House idjoiuned at 5.30 to 7.30. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr O'Connor continued the discasbion on the second reading of the Mines Act, 1877, Amendment Bill. Mr Ballanco and Mr Wakefield supported the second reading of the bill. After several members had spoken, Mr Hm-ithouse, while supuoiting the goldfields members in this inea-ure, said he would not agree to the sweeping aw ay of the gold duty. Mi Seddon replied biiefly, after which the second reading was cairied. Mr Shephard moved that Mr W. J. Stewaid be appointed Chairman of Committees. Mr Fulton moved as an amendment that Mi Hamhn be elected to the office. Mr Joyce seconded. Mr Smith thought party feeling should not be intioduced into the question. There had been no election for Chairman of Committees last Parliament. In his opinion the late chairman had given great dissatisfaction. Mr Fergus characteiised Mr Hamlin's past career as impartial, and he was suie both sides of the House would agree with him. He regretted having to vote against him. Mr T. Thompson and Col. Eraser would vote for Mr Hamlin. The Premier objected to a continuous chairman as much as he did to a continuous Ministry. He thought it was the duty of the House to have these positions changed. It was a Ministerial question. He thought Mr Steward was equally as well fitted to till the chair as Mr Hamlin. Mr Fit/sherbeit, as a new member, could .say that he had not been asked for his vote, but would follow Mr Hamlin's supporters into the lobby. Mr Grigg suppoited the amendment. Mr Levestam spr.ke in favour of Mr Hamlin. Mr Huisthouse thought Mr Hamlin a fit and proper person to place in the chair. Mr Hatch supported the amendment, and Mr Seddon opposed it. Sir J. Vogel supported the motion. On a division the oiiginal motion was lost by 2(i to 40. Sir G. Giey moved as an amendment that the election of Chairman of Committees be adjourned until the House has a chance of considering whether it is desiiable to alter the act fixing the salary of the chairman. The amendment that Mr Hamlin be appointed chairman was carried on the voices, and the House adjourned at 10.30 p.m. until Tuesday.