HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1918, 21 October 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MONDAY. Tha House met at 2.30. Mr O'Callaghan gave notice to ask whether Government will bring in a bill to abolish the dn f .y on binder twine. The Civil List Amendment Act wa=< introduced by Mr Stout, and read a first ime Mr Stout moved that the amendments by the Committee in the East and West Coast (Middle Island) Railway Bill be agreed to. Mr Rolleston moved the recommittal of the bill with the view of inserting a clause to the effect that no other railways than those specified be constiucted under the provisions of the act. Mr Stout did not consider this course necessary, as any fresh contracts would have to obtain the sanction of the House. Ho hoped the bill would not be recommitted. Mr Barron said if the bill were recom- | mitted he should move that the words " 30 per cent, of the cost of the railway " be inseited in clause 9 instead of 50 per cent. He thought Ministers voted on this question on Friday night under a mis- : conception. Messrs Holmes and Richardson (Mataura) also gave notice of certain amendments if the recommittal of the bill was agreed to. Considerable discussion ensued on the proposal to re-commit the bill. Mr Seddon advised the Government not to consent to the bill going back to the Committee, as they would not get it out again in a hurry. Mr Monteith supported the re-committal of the bill, with the view to mo\ ing that the words "The Arthurs' pass loute" be struck out. Mr Macandrew hoped the Government would stick to the bill, and not consent to its recommittal. Mr Bryce advised the withdrawal of the amendment. He said if the bill were recommitted it would ceitamly get out of the Committee again that afternoon. Mr Rolleston then rose and said he would withdraw his amendment for the recommittal. Sir George Grey thought the billl should not be allowed to' proceed without further infoi motion from the Government as to the land to be taken for the constitution of die railway. He moved that the bill be recommitted, so that several amendments mightbe discussed. Capt. Russell said he would like to move in clause 9 if the bill were recommitted that the works "without any legard to any prospective value that will be given to such land by the proposed undertaking " be struck out and the words " with due regard, etc. " be inserted. The motion for the recommittal of the bill was put and lost, ayes, 49, noes, 15. The amendments were agreed to. On the question that the bill be read a third time being put. Mr Wa-ketfeld spoke against the Arthur's Pass route, and the bill was then read a third time and passed. The Westport and Greymouth Harbour Board Bills were reported with amendments, and read a third time and passed. The Government Insurance Association Bill was further considered in committee. Several amendments were carried, and the debate in committee was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. On the House resuming at 7.30, Mr Seddon moved to report progress. This was put and carried, and the House adjourned at 7.35 p.m.