HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 866, 13 August 1867, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

.'.-•' /THURSDAY JULY' 2 5.

The Speaker took the chair, at 2 o'clock. Papers from Auckland Provincial Council.

'■ The Speaker said he had received a letter from the Superintendent of Auckland, asldngi him^td lay upon the table certain papers about Mr. Busby's claims, which the Provincial Council of Auckland desired to belaid before the House. Peiitip7is. Mr. Macandeew presented a petition from Mr. Robert Christie and Mr. John Shields, of Otago, respecting some land bought by them from the administrator of an intestate estate. ' - Mr. H. S. Atkinson presented a petition* from Walter John Morrison, of New Plymouth, asking for compensation for losses he had sustained during the native war. .

The petitions were ordered to be laid on the i table.

Papers.

The Hon. J. Hall laid upon the table further papers relative to the mail service via Suez v . , •, • -.■•■■

'..,., Assistant Resident Magistrate. Mx. J. O'JSeilili asked the Colonial Seoretary whether or pot it is the intention d£&e Government to appoint an assistant fiesident'Magistrate for the city of Aucklaiiid'£' He, put the, question because he had been repeatedly asked to do so. It was the opinion of many members of the legal profession and inhabitants of Auckland, that such an officer was required ; but thisj however, wasnot his own opinion, as he thoiight, the justices all over the colony liiight, % ':[& little gentle coercion, be made to do a little more work than they did ; andWtlie.city of Auckland might shortly .be incorporated, it might be desirable not to appoint an assistant resident magistrate at present, .'at the Mayor could properly be invested with magisterial functions. \ The Colonial Seceetaby replied that the Government had not contemplated the appointment of an Assistant Resident Magistrate at Auckland, as they did not think the financial state of the province waß Buch as to warrant additional expenditure..lt was ferae that a great deal of work was- transacted in tie Resident -Magistrate's, 'Court at Auckland, but in otter places more work was done with no greater assistance. He was glad the hon. member, had referred to the Justices of the Peace/. as v it was a matter of constant anxiety to the Government that, although gentlemen were very desirous of obtaining the distinction, very little good seemed to result from their appointment. Still he did not see how they could force justices to attend to their duty, unless by having a roster, and compelling them to attend petty sessions. He also agreed that it would be very proper, if a Mayor of Auckland were appointed, that he should have jurisdiction over many cases which now occupied much of the time of the Resident Magistrate.

j 5 ' , . Three Million Loan. Mr. Campbell asked the Colonial Treasurer, Why, during the year 1865-6, the sinking fund of 1863 loan was invested in Cape of Gt»od Hope debentures P Although the question 1 as. tabled only referred to a part of the 1863 loan, yet He wished to snake it refer to the whole of the Three Million Loan. He wished to know whether the Crown agents were allowed to use their own discretion in the investment of. the sinking fund, or acted under instructions from the Government. He thought the Colonial Treasurer would agree with him that it would be better for the sinking fund to be invested in our own , securities. He estimated the loss that had been sustained by the Crown agents investing in Cape debentures at

The Colonial Tbeasureb replied that ike New Zealand Loan Act of 1863 provided that a certain sum should be set apart every year for interest and sinking fond to be invested by such person or persons as the Governor might appoint in Such manner as the Governor might direct, so that the Legislature had not thought fit to tie the hands of the Governiftent as to the mode of investment. The hon. gentleman' then read some correspondence between the Government and the Crown agents on the subjept ; which showed that the Crown agents were instructed to use their own discretion in investing the. sinking fund, and to invest it in colonial instead of imperial securities, if they thought fit. He agreed, however, that it would be advisable to invest the sinking fund, as far as possible, in our own securities. The Government, in acting as they did, bad done so because they had full confidence in the trustworthiness; and discretion of the Crown agents. , Mr. Campbell thought, the Crown tents should be asked to explain why ey had invested in Ceylon debentures at 107, when they could have purchased New Zealand debentures, bearing the same rate of interest, at 103.

Availability of real estate. \ Mr. Stevens asked the Government whether they will introduce a Bill to render real estate more readily available for claims of creditors P The Colonial Secretary replied that the Government had a Bill under preparation, and would shortly ask leave to introduce it. • Akaroa Resident Magistrate. Mr. Armstrong moved that it is de- . sirable v tb.e Resident Magistrate of Akaroa should hold a Court once a month at Hgebn Bay, and once a month at O'Kane Bay. The Colonial Secretary said the Government would be happy to give the Eesident Magistrate the desired instructions. Agreed to. r. -:r A ;: :. Telegraph ' Committee. '■ -Mr. Travees moved for the appointment ofa Select Committee to inquire into and report upon the working of the telegraph system of the colony. Such Committee to ,£onsißt pf" the Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr, Ormbnd, amaon, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Eyes, Mr. Hankinspn, Mr. Taylor,

Mr. Reeves, and the mover. Three to bo a quorum. Most hon. members would be aware of tho inefficient manner in which the telegraph system, of the colony was carried out, and the time occupied in the transmission of messages,- which was greatly in excess of that occupied in countries where the telegraph had been established in a much rougher manner than it was here. In most other places the average rate of transmission, with the same instruments as those used in this colony, was 21£ words a minute ; which showed that there was something very faulty in the management of the telegraph department. Lines had also been constructed along very unsuitable routes, and that defect might have been avoided had a committee been appointed beforehand to consider the best routes. Tho materials which had been used in the construction of the telegraph were also very inferior ; and moreover, greatly in excess of what was actually requisite. The poles were much too thickly placed, and were too stout, and in many cases too high, which rendered the risk of their being blown down much greater than necessary. The cost of the establishment of the system had been very great ; and if it was to be carried out throughout the colony, it was absolutely necessary to obtain the services of efficient persons to construct the lines. Mr. Osmond seconded the motion, and would like the Postmaster-General to explain why the line to JNapier was being carried round by the coast, and why it was proposed that the line from Napier to Auckland should also be carried round the coast instead of by way of Taupo. The Hon. J. Hall had much pleasure in supporting the motion, because he thought an enquiry on this matter was very desirable, It was useless to discuss now the propriety of carrying already constructed lines over the routes which they occupied, but he agreed with the remarks of the hon. mover about the posts, and it was from tHis cause that so many interruptions of the communication "had taken place. He had, however, taken some pains to remedy the evil* and the line was now in a better position than it had ever been. He also agreed that a false economy had been practised in the department, as the officials had not only been underpaid, but too few of them, had been employed. This state of things he had endeavored to remedy. He must not, however, coneeal the fact that the whole of the line between Whyte's Bay and Christchurch required to be reconstructed, which would cost some £8000 or £9000, and the Government intended to ask the House for that sum. The line to Napier had been carried round the coast, because if it had been taken overland, it would have had to be carried through a Vooded country, and it would also have been necessary to negotiate with the natives on the subject. As to the route marked out for the line to Auckland, by going round the coast any difficulty with the natives would be avoided, and the line would also serve a larger number of persons than it would if taken, by way of Taupo. The motion was then put and carried. Colonel Weare's slanders.

Major Heaphy, in moving that a Select Committee of this House be appointed to consider and report, either alone, or in association with a committee of the Legislative Council, on the best steps to be taken to obtain the establishment of such regulations as shall prevent a recurrence of proceedings so injurious to the welfare of both races in New Zealand, as those that resulted from the private communications of Colonel Weare, C.8., being received and officially acted upon in England ; such Committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. Stafford, Mr. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., Mr. A. de Bathe Brandon, Mr. A. J. Richmond, and the mover ; three to form a quorum 5 said it wasjaot necessary to go into the details of the case,. as the papers on the subject which had been laid before the House, gave the circumstances "in extenso." Mr. Heaphy then gave a short outline of the circumstances of the case. He did not wish to refer to Colonel Weare at all in the matter; but to deal with the matter generally. The House could do nothing to prevent silly persons from writing false statements to their friends ; but they might be able to prevent official notice being taken of such letters. He looked upon the subject, not only as a colonist, but from a native point of view. Had the atrocities alleged to have been committed really taken place they could not be remedied, either by the action taken by Colonel Weare or by that of the Colonial Minister. The facts spoke for themselves. The Governor had placed confidence in the Assembly, by saying that he would appeal to it ; and he now called upon the House to reciprocate that confidence, and to take steps to prevent what was most injurious to the European and native population.

Mr. Dillon Bell seconded the motion, the terms of which, however, he did not think were likely to lead to any good result — (hear, hear) — because they could not hope to prevent Colonel Weare and those who thought like him writing false statements to their friends. At the same time he thought it was quite right for the House to take the earliest opportunity of expressing its indignation at the acts, not of subordinates like Colonel Weare, who were incapable of forming an opinion on the subject, but of those higher authorities who had every means of becoming acquainted with the true state of the case. History would do us justice, and it would then be seen that the colonists of New Zealand had acted with great forbearance and mercy in very trying circumstances. The colony owed a great debt of gratitude to Sir George Grey — (cheers) — for the proud and persistent way in which he had vindicated the honour of the colony, and it would ill become them to take no steps to recognise his services; It might not be proper for the Ministry to propose it, but he should like to see the House express in some distinct manner the obligations of the colony to the Governor, and would, at a future day, bring forward a resolution on the matter. The Ministry also deserved great credit for tho able manner in which they had defended the colony from the aspersions cast upon it. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Ludlam thanked the hon. member for bringing forward this motion. The mode proposed might be a difficult one, and not likely to be attended with much success ; but at the same time, although they could not prevent people making false statements in private letters, yet they could express their disapprobation at the course adopted by Her Majesty's Government. (Hear, hear.) The position taken up by the Governor on the receipt of the letter from Earl Carnarvon was most creditable to him, and very few men would have had courage to take up such a position, as the language of Earl Carnarvon's despatch was such as to lead to the belief that nothing but a most abject apology could save the Governor from being recalled. The colony had great cause of complaint against the Home Government in. this matter, on account of the action taken by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who should have taken steps to ascertain at once the truth of Colonel Weare's statements, and, if. they were false, to punish him, • It was no satisfaction to the colony to know that Colonel Weare had apologised, as the mischief had already been done. The Colonial Secbetaby thought, the

House had to thank the hon. member for ParneU for bringing this motion, and he should serve upon the committee with great pleasure ; imt he would suggest the propriety of adding some otlier names to the Committee, as there was such a general feeling on the subject that some members might like to serve on the committee. It would hardly be seemly for the Government to- say much on the matter, as they would thus be to a certain extent judging their own conduct, and they would therefore reserve any remarks they had to make until the report of the committee was brought up. Mr. Heaphy said he would move for the extension of the committee on a future day. The motion was put and carried unanimously.

Standing Orders on Private Bills. The Colonial Seceetaey laid upon the table Standing Orders relative to Private Bills. Native Land. On the motion of Mr. Faemee, a return of the number of acres of native land acquired by duly authorised officers, under section twenty of the Native Lands Act Amendment Act, 1866, was ordered to be laid on the table. Appeals from Justices Bill. This Bill was further considered in committee, and, on the House resuming, was reported with amendments. , Return. The Colonial Teeasueee laid upon the table a return relating to the Treasury Bills.

Coroners'. Bill. „ . 'The Coroners' Bill was read a third time and passed.

• Medical Practitioners' Bill. . '. -The debate upon this Bill was resumed :by Mr. John Williamson, who said he had no objection to the Bill itself, but as questions relating to provincialism and centralism had- been brought up during the debate upon it, he moved the adjournment of the debate in order that those questions might be disposed of. Mr. Reynolds said that although he did not object to the principle of the Bill, yet he objected to some of its provisions, as for instance, to that providing for the formation of only one medical board ; and he should therefore reserve to himself the right to propose in Committee that District Boards should be established in the provinces and their members appointed by the Superintendents. There were also other amendments that he should like to make.

Mr. Harbison thought the measure would be acceptable to the medical profession ; and for his own part, he was not so very tenacious respecting interference of this kind with provincial legislatures. The Hon, J. Hall would be glad to give the hon. member for Dunedin a chance of bringing forward his amendments, but, in order to give the House an opportunity of fully considering them, he hoped the hon. member would have them printed. (Hear, hear^) The motion for the second reading was then put and carried.

Mr. Reynolds, in moving the second reading of the Disqualification Bill, said it was not a new Bill, as a similar Bill was introduced in 1865 by the lion, member now at the head of the Government, and which, although allowed to drop owing to the late period of the session, yet met with the general approval of the House. The present Bill was drawn up in accordance with the terms of a resolution passed by the House in 1865. It would be admitted that the House should be kept as pure as possible, and members prevented/ from sacrificing the interests of their constituents to their own private benefit. The Bill might not have been much wanted hitherto ; but it was as well to guard against contingencies that might arise. At the present time there was one member of the House, exclusive of the Speaker and Chairman of Committees, holding an office of emolument under the Government ; and six members in another place, holding like offices. The hon. member then stated under what circumstances persons would be disqualified from holding seats in the House. One clause of the Bill provided that no ex-member of the House could accept office under the Government till twelve months had elapsed after vacating his seat under a penalty of £50. Any member holding an office under the General , Government when the Bill came into operation would either have to give up his office or to resign his seat within 30 days. He (Mr. Eeynolds) was convinced, from the way in which the Bill of the hon. member at the head of the Government was received, that this Bill would meet with the approval of the House.

The Colonial Seoeetaky said he could scarcely bring himself to believe that the hon. member expected this Bill to pass. Although the hon. member had stated that it was drawn up in accordance with a resolution passed by the House in 1865, yet it differed in many important points from that resolution. The Bill that he had himself introduced did not meet with that general' support which the hon. member imagined, and had it been pressed it was threatened with numerous important 1 amendments. He maintained that if they wished to pass a Disqualification Bill, it should be a Bill that would also disqualify persons holding offices in Provincial Governments from occupying seats in the House. If the Bill were altered to include this, he would support it, but would not support it in its present shape. He had ascertained that fifteen members were receiving pay from Provincial Governments. Not that hg thought there was necessarily any antagonism between gentlemen holding office in Provincial Governments and the General Government ; quite the contrary. With regard to the members of the Legislative Council holding offices of emolument under the Government, he did not think it was of so much consequence that they should be disqualified for that reason as it was in the case of members of the House of [Representatives. Tho Government would support the Bill if the hon. member would amend it in the manner he had indicated, but not if it were pressed in its present form.

Mr. C. Wilson thanked the hon. member for Dunedin for attempting to introduce a Bill for the purification of Parliament, but hoped he would make it more comprehensive. There was no real difference in regard to the colony at large, between what was called general and provincial revenue ; and those who received salaries from the latter source were as liable to imputation for, the votes they gave in that House as those who received salaries from the general revenue. The measure should be made to include all persons drawing salaries from the revenue of the Colony ; and if the hon. member would amend his Bill so as to do this ; he would vote for the second reading, but not if it were merely a half measure. He also asked the hon. member to insert a morality, clause in the Act ; that it might not be said by the people and the press that the House was less careful of its honor than a Jockey Club. , Mr. Tbavers should support the Bill, because it affirmed a principle which should be adopted in every legislature in

the colony. A Disqualification Bill, ini troduced by himself, was passed by the ' Provincial Council of Canterbury at an, i early stage of the last session ; but was '[ disallowed by the Superintendent. A measure of this kind was essentially necessary in a democratic country like this. There was one remarkable omission in the Bill, in its not including members of Provincial Councils in its disqualification clauses, .and he hoped this defect would be remedied in Committee, so as to prevent the exercise of that partizanship which had proved so detrimental to good government in many parts of the colony. He was glad to see the Bill was received with favor by the House ; and hailed a measure of this kind with the greatest satisfaction. ' M. J. O'Neill said that although he did not see that the House had much to do with Provincial Councils (hear, hear), yethe thought all persons receiving salaries from the public monies should be shut out from the House.

Mr. Mooehouse said he had refused his assent to the Bill passed by the Provincial Council of Canterbury, not on personal grounds, but because he thought that if all men engaged in public business were excluded from the Council, there would not be a sufficient number of men capable .of serving in the Council left. It would, in fact, have had a tendency to emasculate the province. Moreover, in Provincial Councils majorities were often stolen (hear, hear) ; and he was in possession of facts which proved conclusively to him that the majority by wliich the Bill in question was passed was an accidental one. With regard to the exclusion of Superintendents from the House, it did not follow that because anyone received emoluments . for/i;" I3i&\%erformance of a certain provincial service, he would therefore be subservient; he came there to use the knowledge he possessed of colonial affairs for the benefit of his fellowsettlers. Certainly, Superintendents had been very active politicians; and had necessarily made many enemies ; and he believed it would be found if the second reading of the Billwjentto a division those who voted for it would be the minorities of the Provincial Councils. If' ' the General, Assembly chose to exclude Superintendents from that House, he could take no exception to their doing so ; but must protest, on the part of the people of Canterbury, against any attempt being made to emasculate the Legislature of that province by exoluding some of their ablest men from it.

Mr. Oakgull said the hon. member for Dunedin was very fond of disqualifying persons, and the people of Otago had no cause to thank Tiirn for what he had done in the Provincial Council of that Province, as he had excluded from that body one of its most useful members. He wished the hon. member, seeing' the turn the debate had taken, and the results that would probably arise, would withdraw the Bill. Wo, no, near, hear.) Mr. Haughton had not supposed that the Bill would have been drawn up on the basis of the resolution of 1865; and thought that the hon. member would have brought forward a measure which would really ensure the piirity of the House, and to prevent such attempts being made on hon. members from doing their duty according to their consciences, as they had seen practised during the last six months. He had also hoped he wbuld have proposed something to put a stop to lying telegrams, which were doing so much mischief. The Bill was also drawn up very loosely. He quite agreed with the suggestion of the non. member at the head of the 'Government, that if they passed a Disqualification Bill at all, they should exclude all salaried officers of the Government. He thought, hpwever, that ii Superintendents were excluded from the House, satn.e of the ablest men in the House would be excluded.

Mr. Main looked upon it as a very good feature of the Bill, that it did not exclude Superintendents and provincial officers from the House. If he understood the Bill aright its object was to prevent persons sitting in either House who should, at any future time, have an office of emolument held out to them by way of a bribe 5 and to prevent undue influence over members' votes being exercised by the Government. There was no doubt whatever that a measure of this kind was needed to preserve the purity and independence of Parliament. They could not nave more useful members in the House than gentlemen holding provincial offices, as they were thoroughly acquainted with the wants of the provinces ; and experience had shown them that .such officers were thoroughly independent in their votes. The object of the Bill was not to keep independent members out of the House ; but to prevent the votes of members being unduly influenced by their holding offices of emolument. Had experience shown the votes of Superintendents and provincial officers to be influenced by the fact of their holding those offices, he would have supported the suggestion of the hon. member at the 1 head of the Government, but such was not the case; and as the Bill was absolutelynecessary, he should vote for it as it stood. Mr. Jollie could give his testimony to the existence of a bias in the House, which, prevented members from exercising their votes as freely as they otherwise would do. It was ( almost impossible for Superintendents to prevent themselves being influenced by the conflicting interests with which they were sometimes encountered, especially in the discussion of provincial affairs. The discussions of the House had constantly been swayed by considerations of a provincial character. There was a due provincialism and an undue provincialism; and it should be the first object of the Government to deliver, the country and the House from the entanglement into which they had got by the complications of provincialism. They should endeavour to satisfy 'the country with that moderate provincialism which now existed, and be hoped always would exist. The Bill would be a sham unless it carried out its principle in the fullest possible manner, and embraced all persons holding office, whether under the Provincial or General Governments. He was quite satisfied that a check was rather required to provincialism than to the Colonial Government. It became the House so to deal with the Bill as to put a check upon the encroachmenst of the provinces. Mr. Patekson thought the object of the Bill must meet with the approbation of every member of the House, as there was nothing more important than to put every member into such a position that he -could give an unbiassed consideration to questions brought before the House. It was not at all a necessary consequence that because a member of that House was also a member of a Provincial Government, he must therefore support measures which would be detrimental to the interests of the colony. He trusted the House would allow the Bill to go into committee, that all amendments might have a fair consideration ; although he could not vote for it as it stood.

Mr. D. Bell said the 1 House had hitherto maintained its independent character, and there was no fear of its losing that high distinction. It was not by Bills of this kind that the independence of the House was to be maintained, and it was preposterous to exclude men who were thoroughly acquainted with the wants of their own provinces from the House. He sympathised with the yiew that there was an encroachment of provincialism in tho

House, but there was also an encroachment of centralism— each side was toying to disturb the balance of power which had hitherto existed. While he considered it absurd to exclude the principal men of the provinces from the House, he also thought it equally absurd to exclude able men because they happened to hold offices under the General Government. ' , The proposal was a one-sided affair, and it would De a shameful act on the part of the House to exclude men who had rendered great services from their deliberations. Mr. Ludlam said his vote would depend a great deal upon the answer of the hon. member forDunedin to the questions put to him by the hon. member at the head of the Government.. The measure was only a half one, and if they were going to exclude persons receiving salaries they should exclude every person holding an office of emolument, whether under the General or Provincial Governments, with the exception of the members of the Government. No doubt officers of the Provincial Governments were sometimes . actuated by provincial bias ; but although he believed the time would arrive when the House would be left free from any bias Whatever, he did not know whether \he time had arrived yet to do so. If the hon. member went to a division on the Bill as it stood, he hoped it would be negatived. ;• Mr. Bunny should not vote for the second reading of the Bill, because if it were passed as it stood, it would entirely fail in effecting the object it was intended to attain — the freedom and independence of Parliament. If there were one or two members of the House holding appointments under the General Government, they merely acted as a protection against the provincial influence in the House. At the same time, he thought that if Superintendents were excluded from the House, they would be excluding some of their most able men. He therefore trusted the House would reject the Bill. Mr. Bbandon said it appeared to him that an extraordinary fallacy ran through most of the arguments that had been used. It seemed to be forgotten that all 1 the members of the House were elected by the colony (hear, hear), and it was an absur-. dity to say that because a man held a cer-, tain office he should not be elected to another if the electors thought him the fittest person to fill it. By doing so, they would be interfering with the independence of the electors. He did not see, either, wjxy, if Superintendents and Executives were excluded, members of Provincial Councils should not also be excluded, as they were equally liable to be actuated, by provincial feelings. The interest of the provinces was the interest of the colony, they could not separate one from the other. The salaries paid to provincial executives and Superintendents bore so small a proportion to the revenue, that it was quite unworthy of the House to make them a subject for excluding the recipients of salaries from the House. The measure was wholly unnecessary ; the House, following the example of the House of Commons, whenever it had created a new office, had declared whether its holder should be eligible for a seat in the House or not ; and this was quite sufficient atpresent to guarantee the independence of the House. Mr. Habrison did not think, that persons should be disqualified, from holding seats in the House because they held offices of emolument. The only disqualifications he could admit were death, or lunacy, or some such cause.

Mr. Buens considered the Bill uncalled for at present. The country was too young to afford to lose any of its public men, no matter what position they might occupy. He hoped his hon. friend would withdraw his measure.

" Mr. Reid thought it would be a great pity to exclude. Superintendents and members of the Provincial Executives from the House. Although the Bill did not propose to exclude Superintendents and Provincial Executives, yet he was certain that if it passed through committee it would come out with a clause excluding those officers, and he should therefore vote against the second reading. Mr. Watt hoped the Bill would be withdrawn, and if the hon. member for Duncdin wished to strengthen the provincial party in the House, he could best do so by withdrawing the Bill, as if it were passed, it would evidently be so in a form' that would exclude provincialists as well as centralists from the House.

Mr. Meevyn hoped the Bill would be pressed, and the feeling of the House taken on the matter. The question should be treated on its ownjnerits without reference to either party ? Mr. Reynolds said that none of the arguments which, had been- adduced were such as to lead him to think that he ought to withdraw the Bill; on the contrary, they merely strengthened his opinion that he ought to press it. The hon. member at the head of the Government could not know him if he thought he would adopt his suggestion, and exclude Superintendents as well as General Government employes from the House. Mr. Reynolds then reviewed the arguments that had been used against the Bill. He could not see the force of the objection to Superintendents and members of the Executive having seats in the House ; for members were sent there to represent their constituents and not to'accept offices. They had no right to dictate to the electors for whom they should vote. There was a great difference in the position of a Superintendent and a Government employ^ in that House, as the latter might be ordered by the Government to vote in a certain way, under pain of losing his office ; while no such influence could be exercised over Superintendents. He would have no objection to allow such a clause as that suggested by the hon. member for Coleridge to be inserted in the Bill when in committee. He should press for a division. The House divided upon the motion for the second reading, with the following result : Ayes, 20 ; JN oes, 36.

Naturalization Act, 1866, Amendment Bill. This Bill was read a second time. Private Estate Bills Bill. The Hon. J. Hall explained that the object of the Bill was to empower the Judges of the Supreme Court to enquire into the circumstances when a Bill of the kind commonly called a Private Estates Bill was brought before the Legislature. The Bill had been drafted in accordance with a report drawn up by the Judges. The motion for the second reading was put and carried. British- Australasian Mail Service Bill. The clauses of this Bill were considered in Committee. • The House adjourned at 9.50 p.m.