House of representatives.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1919, 23 October 1884, Page 2

House of representatives.

! TUESDAY. Replying to questions, it was stated that there were two "or three serious objections to the issue of railway return tickets on ,vll days other than Saturday, at a equal to two bingle tickets. Tho expense attached to it would also be considerable. New regulations would b a hhoi tlv issued which would fix the scale of charges for school children travelling by rail. The Government Insurance Association Bill was further considered m committee. Sir George Grey opposed the clause providing that the Colonial Treasmor should be chairman of tho board. Mr Stout supported the clause, and after several other members had spoken, Sir G. Giey complained that Mr Stout, who was in charge of tho bill, would nut give way in face of arguments so poti nt against the clause. He pursued that com^e because he well knew he had a large subservient majoiity at his back in this place, although recent events showed he had not a majority elsewheie. They weie told fi.it the Government would bring down no measures but what weio absolutely necess.uy for tho working of the Go\ eminent, and here was a bill of the greatest possible importance outside altogether what was icqnircd for tho woik of the Government. Mr Stout said this was one of the measuros promised in the Governor's speech. Ma ]or Atkinson supported the clau.-o as it fctood. The clause passed, and after a few minor amendments had been made to other clauses, the bill was reported. The Public Works. Amendment Bill was consideied in Committee.

WEDNESDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr White gave notice that lie would move that if Wellington is to continue the seat of Government it is detiimentnl to the members of the colony that the districts embiacmg the city of Wellington and the surrounding country within five miles of the bor.ndai ies of the said city should be represented in the House, or that any prisons, permanently lesident and interested in property within such districts should be a member of the Legislative Council. Replying to Mr Steward, Mr Stout .said arrangements would be made thiough the school committees, that children residing at Waitaki Noitb attending the public school at Pukewai be cariied fiee of railway charge. Replying to Mr Smith, Mr Stout said that -a small allowance would be made postmasters doing telegraphing for the e\tia hours' labour per day. Telephone workers will be paid in proportion to the extra messages despatched dining the extra hours in telephone offices. When theie is more than one officer no such allowance will be made, as the officers can auauge to get offtime in rotation dm ing the hours of labour. Replying to Mr Whyte, Mr Richardson said no rule existed as regards the age over which railway labouteis are not employed on Government, the ordinary staff. As a matter of course the youngest and ablest applicant get a preference. Replying to Mr Seddon, Mr Baliance said the measure used by the Government to measure water for mining pin poses, wa-> the one nearest a correct standaid that could be got, despite the fact that it did not conform to the mining regulations. Replying to Mr Seddon, Mr Tole said the Government could not be expected to express any opinion of a decision given by the Resident Magistrate at the Thames affirming that the holder of a miners light can legally demand a voting paper and vot3 at a county election on simply pre-enting ,i miners' right, and answering the question* in the affirmative that he resides in the riding for the council for which the said election is being held, although at the time the name of the holder of the miner's right does not appear upon the county 1 oil compiled by the county cleik uudei clause 42 of " The Counties Act, 1873." Replying to Mr Duncan, Mr Stout said the Government recognised the haidships of the Kurow defened payment settlers in having to pay the railway tax for the Duntroon-Hakuteramea railway, and it was in view of thih and similar cases that Sir J. Vogel had tabled a motion dealing with the subject, und which would be moved on Friday. Replying to Mr Wi Pere, Mr Ballauce said Government would, as soon as existing difficulties could be lemoved, give effect to the lecormnendation of the Royal Commission with regard to the setting apart of sections of land at Patutahi and Tamuhunga. Replying to Mr Locke, Mr Stout said the correspondence between Clyde and Gi&borne was not sufficient to justify the expense of an overland mail biing incurred at present. The following reports were agreed to, and the bills lead a first time, and passed : — Government Insurance Association, and . Public Works Amendment. The following bills weie lead a second time:—Destitutee :— Destitute Persons Act 1877 Amendment, Life Assurance Policies, Westland Education District Subdivision. The following bills passed through Committee, were reported, read a third time, and passed : — Waikato Confiscated Land, Drainage of Mines, Supreme Court Registrars, and Taranaki Empowering. The" Police Offences Bill was further considered in Committee. rt\Tne House adjourned at 5.30.