HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2199, 12 August 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. Sir R. Stout moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Hospital's and Cluuitible Institutions Bill be agieed to, with the exception of the amendment to separate Pialco from the Thames, and add it on to Waikato. Mr Whybe moved that this amendment also be agreed to. After some discussion, Mr Whyte's amendment was carried by 39 to 28. Sir Geo. Grey desired to bring up a personal matter with reference to a speech made a few nights ago by Mr Ballance, in which he referred to Sir G. Grey, as being a promoter of the New Zealand Agricultural Company, and he wished to a«k if Mr Ballance had used the words attributed to him as they had been sent to the newspapers. Mr Ballance admitted he had used those words, but &aid he had explained the reason why he had used them, which Sir G. Grey had not given. He wished to say he had nothing to do with sending anything to the newspapers. Sir G. Grey then said he had given a statement an absolute denial. He should be sony to be a promoter of that company. Mr Ballance said he had spoken fnun memory of what had taken place in 1878. Ho had since spoken of the matter to one of his colleagues at that time, and he stated that Sir G. Grey had given his sanction to the company. Sir G. Grey asked whether Mr Ballance stated that he was a promoter of that company. Mr Ballance said his recollection was that he stated that Sir G. Grey hadghen his sanction to it. Sir G. Grey moved the adjournment of the House, and gave a detailed history of the case. Sir R. Stout pointed out that his recollection was that Sir G. Grey had cordially j approved of the company. He believed if tho price of land had kept up that the Agricultural Company would have been beneficial to the colony. Sir G. Grey denied he had ever approved of the company, after which the matter dropped. Replying to questions, it was stated that if any amendment* were necessary before next session in the Elections Petitions Act and other electoral Acts, a Bill would be brought down dealing with them ; that £2000 would be placed on the Supplementary Estimate in recognition of Sir Wm. Fox's services as commissioner under the West Coast Settlement Act ; that Government would otfer every encouragement to the flux industry. Mr Ross resumed the debate, on the Representation Bill. He admitted that the North Island was entitled to an increase, but if taxation were considered the South deserved I he preponderance. Mr Pyke objected to population as the sole basis, and deprecated the cry of North v. South. He contended that hinglu electorates were best. If this bill were passed the Government would not sit long on thosu benches ne.vt so4»it>u. Mr f. C. Bucklancl urged thiwo who objected to the bill to vote boldly against this second reading. The Bill wai read a second time without division. On the motion for committal tomoirow, Mr Seddon moved to insert, that day month, but w;»s mlod out of order. The question wu-> put : Ayo«, 35) ; noes, 29. The District Railway Purchase Act Amendment Bill was further considered in c mmuttce, and the Hnibe adjourned at fi.3o p.m. On ivduming .it 7. 10 th« R.ibbifc Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. After aome'difcu^ion the Bill was reported. Th«' Propel ty Assessment Bill was consideiKl in committee and earned after some discussion. The Settled Land Bill was considered in committee. (Left Sitting).