HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Press, Volume XXX, Issue 4077, 21 August 1878, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, Augubx 20. The Houee met at 2 30. OPENING OV 90UTHBKN LINE. Mr Bastings gave notice to move that the Houee adjourn on the sth proximo for eight days, to enable members to witness the opening of Ohrietohuroh-Dunedin Railway. NATIVE LANDS ACT. Mr Shekhan gave notice to ask leave to introduce the Native Lands Act., 1878. "WATCHING BBWI. Mr Fox asked, without notice, whether it was a fact that Rewi was at present under the constant surveillance of a man, and could not bo seen without the presence of this policemi n. Mr Shbbhan said that he had been unaware that such was the case, and if he found on inquiry tliat it was bo, ho would prevent euch a thing being continued. He believed there was a gentleman named Thomas, formerly in her Majesty's service in India, who was ondeavoring to negotiuto with Retri in regard to some block of land, and he had been communicated with to desist from interfering between the Q-overnment and Rewi at such a critical period. CABINET APPOINTMENTS. Mr Whitakeb called attention to the appointments of members of the Cabinet, to show that there were doubts as to the validity of appointments of certain members of the Ministry. It appeared to him, if he waa correct in his facts, that tho Proraior end four of hie colleagues camo within the provieions of the Disqualification Act. Tho hon. gentleman wont at length into tho eircum. stances of tho different appointments, tind quoted very minutely the law bearing upon the subject. Mr Stout intimated that ho would (aie time to consider the atgumente used by Mr Whitakor. BAILWAY SERVANTS' HOT7RJ. In reply to Mr Feldwick, Mr Macixbbew laid upon the table a statement hours of labour of guards, engine drintj, stokers, &.c, on the Government railways, with particulars respecting each cection. EAILWAY PASSES TO VOLUNTBBXS, In reply to Mr Hobbp, Mr Maoandbkw said a sum of money would be placed on the estimates to enable volunteers on duty to have free passngea by train, provided they have certificates from their commanding officers. INDIGBNOITB GEABBBB. The Phbmieb, in reply to a question by Mr Hobbs, said the Government could not give all libraries in tho colony copies of the book on the indigenous grasses of tho colony, but copies would be given to the principal libraries of the colony. CROWN PBO3BCOTIONS. In ireply to Mr Gisborne, Mr Stout said the Government did not this session intend dealing with the present system of Crown proeooution, with ft viow to its improvement ■by assimilating the system to the Scotch system, or otherwise. FBBR HAILWAr PASSES. The Government promised to fnraieh a return of how many free railway passages have been issued, though it would take some time to prepare. . ; IAND PROMISED TO NATIVES. MrSiiEBHAN, in reply to Tai-iroa, said it was correct >hat tho late Sir Donald McLean promised ilve thousand acres in Marlborongh and Nelpan to the tribe, and the present Government intended to make good that promise. THB AGENT GENERAL. In reply to Mr McLean, Mr Bali.ance said the only correspondence betweon themselves and Sir Julius Vogel relative to his proposed retirement from the Agent< Generalship was of a semi-private nature, and the Government did not feel justified ia making it public. SECOND BBADINGS. Bills for the Triennial Election ot tne House of Representatives and Mr Curtis' Bill to Amend the Education Act 1077, also the_ Government Bill imposing a duty upon joint and othor companies,•: jad the Bill to impose a tax on land, and the Martin Annuity Bill, were read a second tint. CIVIL BSEYIOE BILL. •■■:'.. : In Committee on the Civil getnoe Act Amendment Bill. "' Mr KeZiliT moved a new clanae, to the effect that no person who was a provincial officer on coming into the operation of the Abolition Act, and had been transferred ts the civil service on the said Act coming into operation, should be entitled to any retiring allowance. The Home divided on the question, and. the clause woe read a second time by 31' against 24. It was then moved that the first word " Bβ" be left out, and the word " every" seletituted; but it was ruled on a point oforder that the amendment could not be put, inasmuch as it involved a question of public expenditure. A good deal of discussion ensued ovi>r this point. "■'• It was maintained by Mr BollbstoH fl»4 Sir J. Yogel when Premier gave what.ma equivalent to a promise that provincial officers would be dealt with in a liberal spirit. Mr MoLban replied that what Sir J. Vogil did promise was that any cases of apecial I hardship would be taken into favourable conI sideration. '~ It was then moved that progress be reported, in order to test the question raised in regard to provincial officers. The House divided, the result being— Noes 48, ayee 22. , The proceedings wereinterruptedby 5.30.