HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FRIDAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2182, 3 July 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FRIDAY.

Replying to questions it was stated thafc Dr Hectoi had not made any recommendation th.it the site of Rotorua township should br> altered. The site was fixed by law and could not be altered ; that immigration agents of the Government had been in««fci noted to go amongst thehijfhlaud cioftei> to ascertain whether a sufficient number of thorn could be induced to come out to the colony. Th» correspondence would be laid on the tablein a few days. Mr L irn.ich intioduced the Fi-heries Conservation Act Amendment Bill. Sir R. Stout lnovi'd that a respectful 1 addies> be presented to the Queen, praying" that the Kermadec Islands, lying between* New Zealand and Fiji, may be annexed toNew Zealand. He said Mr Bell, the f^en-tlen-Mii who had lived on Sunday Island for fifteen yeais, had informed him that the climate was delightful and the soil very good, and the land would carry ten sheep to the acre. He (Mr Bell) was so much impieased with the i-land that he intended toform a limited liability company to work it, and Parliament might be asked to vivo Mr Bell a title in recognition of his ser\iee>. The, Home Government had stated they would be prepared to annex the island* to New Zealand if an addiess from the* House weie presented on the subject. Ho thought then annexation would lead to» eon-uleiable trade with New Zealand. Tho motion was agreed to after some> di-*eus»it>n. Tho House went into Committee on th« Native Land Administration Bill. A lengthy discussion ensued on the clause relating to the election of native committees. Capt. Russell and Mr Locke strongly opposed the committee sy>tem. Mr Wi Pere supported it, and said tha Maoris were veiy anxious the Bill should have a trial. Mr Hobbs supported the clau&e, although he considered it would cau-e gteat trouble. Ho said it was well-known that Wi Perer was the father of the cla'ise, and he uaturallv supported it. The clause was carried on a division by ;ts to is. Clause IS, " Owners may deal direct with the Crown." Mr Hobbs moved that this clause be stiuck out. Ho thought theie should bo no special facilities to' the Ciown, and all should be on equal U'ii;i>. Mr Mallance defended the clause, urgingthat the Ciown should undoubtedly posse&stlie right to pin chase. The clause was retained on the voices, Cl ui-e :T>, lefernug to land to bt* alienated m temis of the Land Act, ISS.\ piovoked a lengthy aud animated discussion, in which seveial members took part. The clause was eventually passed on tho voices Mr Beetham moved for a provision thafc previous to the disposal of land by a commissioner, the method of disposal shall be» submitted to the committee. The debate was mteriupted by the 5.30* adjournment. On resuming at 7.30, Mr Beetham'o amendment was 10-t by H2 to 11. Mr Beetham protested against the whold bill as unwarantable and interfering with. pi i\ ate rights Capt. Russell proposed to strike out the* penalty of imprisonment, holding that » fine was enough. Lost by 40 to 10. The Remainder of the bill was then passed without much discussion. Tin* Native L-xnd Court Bill passed the» committee without amendment. On the motion for the 3rd reading of the Midland Railway Bill a long discussion ensued which was pioceedmg when our lastr telegram vva-s dispatched.