HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3764, 8 August 1883, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday,

Tho House mot at 2,30 p.m. RETORT FROM NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMUTE*-

Colonol Trimble brought up a roport from •the Native Affairs Committee on the petition from Poverty Bay Avhich Mr Bryce had presented against tho Ncav Zealand Native Land Company's Bill. The com-

mitteo reported that the allegations were such as should properly be enquired into by a Court of Law, and they had therefore no recommendation to make. Mr DcLantour complained that the petitioners had gh'cii no ovidenco in support of tho libellous charges in the petition, which reflected on his character and that of others. He had offered to give evidence, but the committee had not noticed it. He nOAV moved that the motion for receiving the petition be expunged from the records of tho House. Mr Bryce, as an amendment, moved that tho petition be referred back to the committee to take evidence on the charges it contained. He would guarantee that some would bo forthcoming. The committee could ascertain AA'hother there Avas a prima facie case for enquiry by a Commission. Considerable discussion ensued, and ultimately Mr DeLautour's motion to expunge all reference from the records was carried oil a division by 10 to 20. ' ' RETORT FROM ROADS AND BRIDGES COMMITTEE.

Mr Shepherd brought up a report from tho Roads and Bridges Construction Act Committee, stating that they defined a main road to bo ono which connected two counties, a road district, or where there wore no Road Boards, two ridings of a county, or AA'hich connected a county district ' with a port, and they asked for'an extension of power to enable them to rcvieAV the roads gazetted last session as main roads, with a view to the reconstruction of a ucav schedule in accordance Avith the abovo definition and the opinion of the Survcyor-Goncral as tv what aro main roads. , ' Considerable discussion took place, a number of members' objecting to give the poAvei- sought. "-' Ultimately tho debate Avas interrupted bj the o.SQ' adjournment. '' ' 1.1W'3 r^SSED, The Bankruptcy Bill, tho Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill, and the CroAvn Grants Bill Avere read a third time and passed. TnE PREMIER AND THE RANK OF NEAV ZEALAND. Sir George Grey gave notice to move on going into Committee of Supply that the Premier of the colony should not bo tho soUcitor to the Bank of Ncav Zealand, or receivo salary, fees, or emoluments from that institution. THE DIRECT STEAM SERVICE CONTRACT. Mr Rollcston moved a resolution approving of tho provisional agreement entered into Avith tho Ncav Zealand Shipping Company for the conveyance of freight and passengers by steamers from Great Britain for ono year. Ho reviewed the various phases the direct steam service question had assumed for the last feAV years until it resulted in the establishment of the present direct service by the enterprise of the Shipping Company Avithout any subsidy at all. Ho pointed out that Slnuv Saville had held back until they knew the terms the Shipping Company wanted, and only then did they offer to do the AA'ork for less. Ho defended the arrangement made as a just and equitable one. Mr Driver thought the Government should not haA'e entered into this agreement Avith one company Avhen there Avere tAvo in the field. Ho moved, as an amendment, that the whole question he referred to a select committee. Mr Evans BroAvn and Mr Holmes strongly approved of giving' t]ie contract to the Shipping Company, as they deserved it for their pluck in establishing the service. They had offered to share with Sluiav Saville, eithor by running alternative steamers, or by sharing the profit and loss, but that firm declined. The Shipping Compairy was still Avilling to do this. Mr MacandroAV, wliilo admitting the company's pluck, supported the amendment.

Mr Sheehan, Mr Fish, Mr Levin, aud Mr Watt opposed the agreement Avith the Shipping Company, Avhilc'Mr Hurst supported it. • ' Captain McKcnzic, Mr Bracken, Mr M. AY. Green, Mr SAvansou, MrLoveslam, and Mr Joyce spoke against the confirmation of the contract, and Mr O'Calhighan, Mr Turnbull, Mr Dodson, Mr C. Johnston, Mr Ivcss, and Colonel Trimble supported Mr Rolieston's motion. On a division the original motion Avas negatived by ,'il to 2'J, and Mr Driver's amendment being then put Mr Sheehan moyed to further amendment providing that . A ,•.-.•.■'■'■ - ■ ;

Government freight and passengers should bo divided between the Shipping Company and Shaw Savillc at the rates _ proposed by the latter, they undertaking to run .steamers alternatively to Auckland, AVellington, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers, and the Bluff, and'that, failing this, tenders should be called for.

After further discussion Mr Driver's motion Avas carried by 44 to 22.

The House rose at 1.5