HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6074, 17 September 1881, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday, Septembbs 16. The House met at 1 1 a.m. SECOND HEADINGS. The following bills were read a second time : — Patents Act Amendment, Sheep Act Amendment Bill, Port Chalmers Dock Trust. COUNTIES SUSPENSION BILL. Mr Hall moved the second reading of the Counties Suspension Bill. Mr Ballance pointed out that the bill raided most, important issues, and ought not to be put forward at this stage of the session. If operated on it was designed to throw the whole system of county government into inextricable disorder. Mr Hall said that, without prejudice to the bill on its merits, it was plainly a measure upon which a great deal of discussion and consequent delay would ensue. Under these circumstances he ■would postpone it, so as to enable other business to be gone on with. Sir George Grey hoped the measure would not be postponed. It was one urgently wanted for the North Island, and it was but right that the districts should have the power to say whether they should be governed by Road Boards or County Councils. Mr Wood pointed out that the necessity for the measure was ve.ry great. A number of petitions had bßen received from the districts in its favor. The motion for the second reading was put and carried. BILLS PASSED. The following bills were passed through committee, read a third time, and passed ; — Patents Act Amendment, Sheep Act Amendment, Public Health Act Amendment, Port Chalmers Trust, Employment of Females and Others Bill, Volunteer Bill. SPECIAL POWERS AND CONTRACTS BILL. The Special Powers and Contracts Bill was passed through committee. The House rose at 1.45. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House reassembled at 3.30. BILLS LAPSED. The Speaker ruled that the following bills had lapsed on the previous night owing to their being 1 no House to receive th;e r report of the committee : — Municipal Corporations : Amendment Bill, Miners'

Rights Reduction Bill, Harbors Act Amendment Bill, Auckland University College Bill, and the Surveyors' Institute Bill, and also the resolution on the public library subsidy. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that the railway as far north as Waikari was under contract and would be ready for traffic in January, and the aurveys for thecontinuationofthelinetoHurunuiwere being completed ; the Government would not promise to introduce a bill next session dealing with the honorarium question ; the Government would not return to the British pensioners the sums taken from them in payment of stamps on their pensions. SECOND READINGS. The following bills Were f ead a second | time : — Stamp Act Amendment Bill, ! Deceased Persons' Estates Duty Bill, Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill. The House adjourned at 5.30.