HOUSE OF REPRESENTIVES.

Bruce Herald, Volume XII, Issue XII, 14 November 1879, Page 1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTIVES.

Tuesday, November. 11th. The House met at 2.30. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Hon. Mr Hall announced that in the event of ihe work before the House progressing satiefactorily, the Treasurer would be prepared to bring down his Financial Statement on Monday. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to questions it was stated, The Pullmau railway cura lastly imported from America coull not pas 3 through the tunnels on the Ciiristchurch Invercargill line. Toe cars could be altered, but the coot would be very great. The Government agent at N<jw ¥o>k was responsible for the bluuder. He bad had sections of the tunnels sent, but had disregarded them. The Government was not prepared to say whether or not he would be held personally responsible. A sum of money would be proposed in tho Estimates for the construction of roads through and rp ning up Ciown lauds in districts in which couuties have net sufficient funds. A report forwarded to the Commissioner of Railways, re island and other Dative coal, had been giveu effect to. Tie coal was largely used, j»nd with the view of encouraging its uso the Government bad offered a Donus to firemen for its effective employment. The Government would bring down a bill dealing with the establishment of small farm settlements on the deferred payment oyatem by settlers to w horn employment will for a time be afforded upon public works. The Qualification of Electors Bill was farther considered in Committee. Amendments were moved by Mr Seddon and Mr Murray re the Maori qualification. Mr Moss moved as a further amendment on the same clause — " That aboriginals, including half-castes and the male descendents of halfcastes, should not acquire any new right under this Act, nor shall they be deprived of any rights they held at fhe beginning of the present session of Parliament." Tne Government had said they did not intend to deprive the Native race of anj' rights they presently enjoyed. Mr Seddon's amendment was withdrawn, and tho other amendment was being discussed.

Wednesday, 12th. Mr George gave notice to ask for a return of import duty on sugar, spirits, and tea since September SOtb. Mr Ireland asked if the Government will cause a bridge to be constructed across the Mataura, between Waikaia and the Gorge. The Hon. Mr Oliver said it wa-> a local work, but if the rdlway was proceeded with it would necessitate a bridge in connection with it. Mr Gisborne asked the Government whether they will ta'^e steps during the recess to cause a flying exploration to be made of the SouthWest Coast country, between Hokitika and Jackson's Bay, and by way of Haast Pa>s into the settled districts of Otago, with a view to ascertaining ite availability for a liae of railway, extent and description of Crown lands which could be opened up for settlement, and ita general mineral resources. The Hon Mr Oliver said a survey of a portion of the line would be made. The consideration of constituting Tmaru a new County was adjourned for one week. The "."Native Reserves Vesting B.ll" was thrown out, by being ordered to be read a second time that day six months. Mr Pyke moved the second reading cf the Miners' Right Fee Reduction Bil), the object of which is to reduce the cost of miners' right from £1 to 10j. He eaid the miner was the most heavily taxed member of the community. Messrs Sheddon aud Reeves supported the Bill, and Mr George said the reduction would necessitate a payment equivalent to this reduction so far as the Thames district was concerned, where the fee went to the Natives under an agreement. If the Treasury were not prepared to meet such a payment and the Bill was passed the local revenue thus taken away from the counties would have to be replaced from the Consolidated Revenue ; and as the latter could not be continued the position was a difficult one. Mr Speight referred to the exceptional taxation of this class, and said that the rating of mining property would be a more just equivalent. Mr Hursthouse said it was impossible to rate miming property, and the cry for a rednction of