HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 63, 12 September 1911, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon. A largely-signed petition Was presented by Mr. J. Duncan praying that the Hillersden estate. Marlborough, be acquired for closer settlement. Notice was given by Mr. Wright to move for a return showing the number of charges preferred against persons for sexual offences betwen Ist April, 1901, and 31st March, 1911, in the various police districts in New Zealand ; su<.h Tefcurn to provide :-^(a) The number of I charges laid each year ill each police ! district ; (b) The number of convictions obtained; (c) The number of prisoners who were ordered corporal punishment. | Mr. Okey gave notice to ask the j Minister of Public Works if he will have an enquiry made into the system of carrying public works on in the Do* minion. Mr. E. H. Taylor was granted six days' leave of absence on the ground of illness, in his family, and four days' leave waß granted to . the Hon. G. Fowlds on the ground oi urgent private bueinces. . Mr. W. D. S. Macdonald gave notice to move that a special committee lie set up to enquire into the petition of tho Taupo-Totara Railway Company for tramway and railway extension. The Proportional Representation Bill (Hoh. G. Fowlde) was read a first time. Sir Joseph Ward gave notice to move that on and after to-morrow Government basin«es take precedence on Wednesday. The Native Affairs Committee reported on the petition of the Taupo-Totara Committee, praying that an Order in Council be" issued to enable the company to acquire an area of native land not exceeding 200,000 acres in Taupo district, in order to extend the company's tramway to Lake Taupo. The committee recommended that the petition be re# ferred back to the House, and referred to some other committee. Mr. Mac* donald said that was why he had desirecf to set tip a Special Committee, of which he bad given notice. Mr. Poole said the question was one of the most me raentous matters that had 'been before the House this session. He trusted that the recommendation of the committee would be agreed to. The report of the committee was ordered to lie on the table. (Left Sitting.)