HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXII, Issue 5240, 28 July 1876, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday

The House resumed at 7 30 p.m. Several billa of a local character having been read a second time,

MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL. The Municipal Cotporationa Bill was committed, and a great many clauses passed without material alteration. A good deal of discussion ensued upon Clause 97, limiting the amount of rates to be levied to 2s. in the£l. Mr. Moorhouse strongly opposed this, and proposed an amendment which would make the power of boroughs to borrow un1 hunted, arguing that it was not the place for" the Government to impose restrictions in that direction, and that was an improper I interference with the principle of local selfgovernment The people wore not likely to borrow more than was actually necessary or beneficial, and in any case the lender would not be likely to lend, unless upon very good •ecurity. Messrs. Stout, Woowock, and Rollestox supported these views. The Premier cared not how much any special rate might be, but objected to an indefinite powei being granted «is to general fates, otherw H'j i-afcepaytrs would have no check or safegu ml on the expenditure of rates Messrs. Bvsiivm and IIitnter took the Premier's view, and on n division Mr. Moorehouse's amendment w.is rejected by 44 to 12. A good deal of discussion ensued upon several other clauses up to 105, which were all passed, mainly without any material alterations, and The House adjoin nod at 12.50 am. oil Thursday, progress having been reported.

J nrusnvw After the Home met .it 2 '.V) p.m.,

AD.IOUUXMKNT. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr. Stafford, "That the House adjourn till Friday, after riding at 3.30.

APPROACH TO PUKKKOHE RAILWAY STATION. Mr. Hami.in asked whether the Government was aware that the nppioaches to the Auckland and Mei cor Railway at Pukckohe station arc almost wholly impassable for vehicles, and w liother they will be prepared to assist tho inhabitants in rendering access practicable ? The Hon. E nirimnwov said the Government wero not prepared to entertain tho application without being prepared io entertain similar ones from all parts of the colony. They were, however, prepared to do all they could towards reducing the rates of hiulago. Ho thought if the Flisjhway Hoard oxerted itself a little more tWGt>verunient need not h.ive been applied to.

MR. WHITAKER'S URSOLUTIONS. It was agreed that Mr. Wuitakek's resolutions should ho taken at 7-30 p.m. on Friday.

PERSONS EXEMPT FROM JURIES. In reply to Mr. Swan so v, Tho Government promised to furniph the Kouso with a return showing the classes of men who are exempt fiom seiving on. Juries, giving tho numbers as nearly as possible.

THE AGENr-GEi\ T ERAL9HIP. Mr. Mukka\ moveil, "That before the Government appoint an Agent - Geueral, they should giv« the Houae an opportunity of considering the appointment." The Pbkmibr saul the matter had never been considered, or even alluded to, m the Cabinet, and that the appointment was one which was vested in the hands of the Governor by Act of Parliament. He could only nay the Government would take the House into its conlidence when it had any confidence to give. Considering the recent death of Dr. Featherstou, ami th it they had only telegraphic news of it, and as the important business of the House had been so pressing, he suggested tljat the motion should be withdrawn. The motion was withdrawn accordingly

IMPRESSED STAMP OFFICES. Mr Lvknach moved "That the Government should nuke early iinanj^menM to establish an impressed stamp ottiue in the pi mi lpal towns of the colony, for the purpose of stamping cheques, bills of exchange, kn " Am argument used in support of the was that great inconvenience was canseil to the banks by having to send to Wellington for all stamped forms. On the other hand it was urged that to have stamp oflices in all the cities of the colony, or all the principal one«, would not only entail an enormous cost, but would probibly cause the revenue to be seriously affected, the Stamp Office being one that required most careful haudling. The motion was negatived; by 39 to 34.

THE DUTY ON GOLD A long discussion ensued on the motion by Mr. Woolcock, "That the goldmining induHtry should bo relieved of the i>reunt exci ptional taxes imposed upon it." Different \ lews of the question were taken by the goldfields incmbers. Ultimately the question was adjourned, on the motion of Mr. Ml'RHAV