New Zealand Parliament.

Marlborough Express, Volume XIII, Issue 1052, 17 August 1878, Page 6

New Zealand Parliament.

By Telegraph. . Thursday, August 15. In the House the business this afternoon was mainly of a private, character. In reply to Mr Mauders, Mr Macandrew said seme railway officials were allowed the usual regulation holidays, but engine-drivers and others were not receiving overtime instead. Government did not intend to change the system. . A return was promised showing all cases m which Government enforced penalties and the cases they did not enforce them on contractors for Public Works, since their inception. Government; promised to furnish a report on the question of Charitable Belief and the systems adopted m other countries. ..' i Mr Sheehan tabled a letter from Eewi ; also the first part of papers relating to the Waitara | meeting were laid upon the table. Mr Woolcock moved that the House was of i opinion that a Bill dealing with the question of payment of members be introduced. Mr Stout opposed the motion anil after some discussion it was shelved by Mr Delatour moving the previous question. A motion was agreed to that a sum of money be placed on the Estimates to encourage the production of wattle bark m the Colony and agreed to. On the motion of Mr Bastings it was agreed that Government should" take steps towards obtaining a.geological survey of New Zealand and a topographical , map .of same. Mr Stout explained that something was constantly being done m that direction by Dr Hector and his assistant. To do the work as appeared to be wanted would .require .. an expenditure of £100,000. :; In reply to Sir R. Douglas, Govern-; ment promised to furnish a return showing all sums paid as commission on the purchase, or sale of any property on behalf of Government for the past financial year. All correspondence with respect to reclamation of Otago Harbor and Railway Station Dunedin is to be tabled. .. .. . All the papers connected with the inquiry into Booth's conduct are to be laid on the table. The debate on Mr Fox's motion with regard to Government advertising again came on, but the motion was agreed to after a short debate. Mr Rolleston moved that the House ia of opinion that the time has come when the Colonial Government should establish an asylum for deaf and dumb m the colony.. The hon. gentleman argued at some length m favor, of his motion. After some debate, hx which all the speakers urged the necessity for making some arrangements m the matter as soon as possible. Sir George Grey announced that Government would see that a sum of money would be placed on the supplementary estimates for the purpose, and the motion was agreed to. Business was Interrupted by 5 30.

After the House resuming at 7*30 Mr S. George moved the second reading of the Gold Duty Abolition. Bill. Along debate followed chiefly confined to Goldfields members, some being for and ' some against, until Mr Rowe moved that the Bill be read that day six months which was carried by 35 against 24. The Womens Electoral Disabilities Bill was shelved by Mr Feldwick moving the previous question, the votes being 44 against 8. The following Bills were passed:— Land Claims Final Settlement, Nelson Harbor, Southland Boy's and Girl's High School, EUesmere .- Reclamation, and Waitaki High School Bills. The House adjourned at one a.m.