HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2185, 10 July 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FRIDAY. A report of thu District Railways Purchasing Committee was brought up, which was ordered to b« read by the Clerk. Mr Steward said the report had only just been plnccsd in his hands,' nnd he asked that the debate on it might bo adjourned to a future day. He pointed out that the report was contradictory as regarded Inn being actuated by pecuniary motives. Major Atkinson said that, looking at tho gravity of the report, Government should fix collie day for its consideration. Sir li. Stout said he had no objection to take it on Wednesday. After Home discussion the report was ordered to bo considered on Wednesday next. Replying to question*, it wns stated that the l'temior had naked his colleagues J whether he should ask his Excellency to j call Mr Cariington, of New Plymouth, to tho Legislative Council if he was willing to 1)0 called, but ho was not willing ; th.it tho Aifei.t-General had been communicated with as to whether H. M.S. Miranda, couid be retained in New Zealand as a training ship for the colony. Mr Pyke c.ill«d the attention of the House to a question of privilege in relation to tho rejection of the tax renii-siun bills by the Council. Mr "Tola mover! tho committal of the Supreme Court Reporting Bill, which w/>« lost on a division by 34 to 26, and the Bill was thrown out. Mr Tole moved the comrmtt.il of the Criminal Code Bill. Several members objected to the Bill being proceeded with this se.asioji, on the ground that there was not sufficient time for its proper consideration. Sir R. Stout asked the House to considei that tho Bill had been b-jfore thorn several times. In 1883 a special committee bad considered the Bill, which had been prepaied by the ablest criminal judge in the world. He hoped the House would go on with the Bill. Mr Seddon moved that tho Bill be referred to a Soli ct Committee to confer with a similar committee of the Legislative Council to report on. A discussion ensued, which was kept up to tho adjournment hour at 5.30 p.m. On the House resuming, Mr Peacock rose t<> make a personal explanation. He expressed surprise at tho Premier's statement that he was retlected on in the^ District Railways Piuchase Committee's report. He denied such was the casft, aud said he had always taken care not to mix himself in the question when the Bill was being discus-lid in the House, nor had ho received any proSfc whate\er from the debentures. Ho appealed t<> the chairman of the committee to say whether they hid intended to disparage his conduct, but the Speaker said further dfccusMon was out of order. Sir Goortre Grey went on with hi* sn«ech on the Criminal 'Code Bill and concluded by moving the adjournment of the House to e.iable Mr Peacock's case to be debated. Tha Speaker ruled this c>mld not bo done. Mr Tole wanted to know how many yoai". the House, wanted for considering the Criminal Code Bill. The motion for committal was carried by 33 to 30. Tho motion for reference to the. committee was lost on the voices, and, as no diviMen was called for, the bill was thrown out. The Gishorne Prisons and the Destitute Persons Act Amendment Bill passed through committee. A clause was added to the latter, making the father of an illegitimate child liable for its maintenance if thrown upon the State, notwithstanding any monoy ho may have paid to the mother for its support. The Civil Service Reform Bill was considered in committee. Mr Thomson, ch»irm.n of the District Railways Committee), also moved tho .adjournment, but wa* ruled out of order. Mr Dargavillo asked if it was not a question of privilege, but the Speaker again put a stop to the discussion. Tho majoiity of tho clauses were postponed. Clause 12, providing a reduction of •"> per cent, per annum from the salaries to form a retirement, fund, provoked a brisk discussion. A provision was inserted on the moton of Mr O'Connor for allowing compound intere.st. (L"ft fitting.)