HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11333, 24 July 1902, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, Jxtlt 23. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 o'clock. PETITIONS. Mr PIRANI presented a petition from Mr E. G- Jellicoe, solicitor, of Wellington, praying for an enquiry into the prison managements The petition was referred direct to the Public Petitions Committee, as an important witness is about to leave the colony. Petitions were presented praying for the abolition of the totalisator, and in favour of the Young Persons Protection Bill. PROPOSED ADDITIONAL MINISTER. Mr WJ.THEFORD gave notice to move that an additional Minister be appointed, whose special duty shall be to take charge of the waste lands of the Crown, with a i view to bringing about a speedy settlement j of these lands, such appointment to be 1 made from among the North Island members. EDUCATIONAL. , Mr G. W. RUSSELL gave notice to ask if tho Government will set up a Joint Com- j niittee of both Houses on education, to rej'ori in what direction the system may be I extended and improved. Mr THOS. MACKENZIE gave notice to a.-.. . . vn.-Vi.>:niueai whevher they ha-d no-" tii- d t.'ie serious condition arising from the Public School Teachers Act of last session, whereby a large number of country schools were now closed, and what steps would be taken to meet this condition of things. WELLINGTON HARBOUR BILL. After a further lengthy debate, tbe second reading of the Wellington Harbcur Board and Corporation Empowering Act. 1898, Amendment Bill, was negatived, a hostile amendment, moved by Mr Laurenson, that the bill be read a second time that day six months, being carried by 50 votes to 24. The bill was thus thrown out. FIRST READINGS. The Egmont County Districts Adjustment Bill (Mr OTMearal, Law Practitioners Act, 1882, Amendment Bill (Mr Guinness), and Gold Duty Aoolition and 'Mining Property Rating "Act, 1890. Amendment Bill (Mr Guinness) were introduced and read a first time. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, Ministers stated that it was considered desirable a- reduction should be mado in charges on money order telegrams ; that it was intended to introduce a bill this session to amend the Companies Act, 1901; tbat the Government was still favotira-bly disposed to give effect to the recommendation of the Public Accounts Committer last session in reference tb the claims of bondholders and shareholders of the Midland Railway Company, but it Avas not desired to force the position on the debenture-holders, who some time ago had passed resolutions adverse to the Government's proposals. The Government, however, had no intention of going outside the Public Accounts Committee's recommendation. The House rose at 5.30 o'clock.