HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3130, 9 July 1881, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. PETITION". Sir George Grey presented a petition from the licensed cabmen in Auckland complaining of an annoyance they were subjected to, and praying for relief. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Jones gave notice for the production of all correspondence, confidential or otherwise, between the Inspector of Prisons and the Government relating to gaols or the officers thereof not already laid on the table, and also asking when tho census enumerator of the Waitaki district will be paid. Colonel Trimble brought up the report of the Native Affairs Committee on a petition from certain natives of Hokianga as to some grievance, and winding up by saying that, unless it was redressed, they would take up arms, and someone might be killed. Tho report was that the language of tho petition precluded consideration. A long discussion on points -of order as to tbe proceedings of the committee took place between Sir George Grey, ' and Colonel Trimble, and on the motion of Mr Rolloston the report was withdrawn.

QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that a Native Lands Court would be provided for dealing with the matter of the Auckland natives' succession claims, this course being preferred to the appointment of a commission to deal with the matter ; the Redistribution of Seats Bill was not yet ready, the delay being occasioned by the non-com-pletion of the census returns ; the Entail Bill was printed and would be introduced in the Legislative Council forthwith ; the supply of school building was now pretty equal throughout the colony, and the Government did not think there would bo any necessity for a special scheme for the distribution of the vote, but as there might still be some inequality the Government would not bind themselves to a lurd and fast rule in the matter.

SUPPLY. An Imprest Supply Bill for £250,000 was introduced by message from the Governor and passed through all its stages. THE LICENSING BILL. The House went into committee for the further consideration of the Licensing Bill. In clause 12 the introduction of words was moved providing machinery for the election of the Licensing Committees. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. FIRST READING. The Native Lands Fraud Prevention Bill, from tho Council, was road a first time. SECOND READINGS. Sir Geoi'ge Grey moved the second reading of the Affirmations in Lieu of Oaths Bill, which was agreed to. The Masterton and Greytown Lands Management Bill was read a second time. PASSED COJOriTTEE. The Hawke's Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act Amendment Bill passed through committee. EIRE BRIGADES BILL. In committee on the Eire Brigades Bill, clause 17, requiring insurance companies to contribute, was strongly opposed, and ultimately was struck out by 26 to 25. Mr Stevens, who was in charge of the bill, then intimated that he would not proceed with it.

Progress was reported, and tho bill discharged from the order paper. DRAINAGE BILL. Some new clauses were added to the Drainage Bill, which was reported as amended. LICENSING BILL. In committee on the Licensing Bill, Mr DeLautour moved a new clause prohibiting any one supplying intoxicating liquors to any Maori within any native licensing districts. Agreed to. A further clause re the same subject was also passed. Sir W. Fox moved a now clause to prohibit tho licensing committee granting a certificate for any sort of license if a majority of the ratepayers signed a memorial against it, but it was rejected on a division of 27 to 15.

Mr Hursthouse moved a now clause, that no contract by any licensee binding him to take intoxicating liquors from any particular person shall be binding, but it also was rejected by 25 to 23. Several members said they had new clauses to propose, but none were passed, and tho schedules having been passed, progress was reported, and the House rose at 1.45.