Friday, August 16.

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

Friday, August 16.

In the House Mr Pyke presented a petition from, the Catholics of Otago and Southland, praying that their tehools 1 may be placed m the same position as other schools. - • .•■■• • Mr Fox gave notice to move for the production of all correspondence between the Governor and the Home Office since last session, i . Mr Reeves gave notice to move for legislation jto restrict the influx of Chinese; Mr Pyke gave notice to move for a return of ■the number of. free Railway passes issued. i In replying to a question by Mr McLean, the Premier said the agents appointed under Inscription of Stock Act were Messrs Larnach, Julyan, Sergeaurit, and Ommany; as it was about that Jtime Sir J. Yogel had intimated he would probably* resign the Agent Generalship and as Government knew, he was contemplating engaging m something else, the Agency was not offered him. ■ Replying to Mr Feldwick, Mr Macandrew said m the Fisheries Bill Government would m Produce, there would be no clause for protecting the seal fisheries. Mr Ballance informed Mr Feldwick that Government were taking '.stepa to reorganise&he Volunteer force. : All correspondence and instructions between Government, Cfown agents, loan agents, and Agent. General. In reply to Mr^'Bowen, a return was promised of the number of electors registered m the several electoral districts. Governmeat Bills giving effect to financial arrangements were read a first time ; Martin Annuity Bill was read a first time ; its effect is to increase the pension of ; Sir William Martin from ; L 333. to LSOO annually. , A deal of opposition was manifested against the Bill, and the House divided— number for bill 42, against it 7.. A second Imprest Supply Bill for 1550^000 was. read .a.second time, ,. Mr Ballanpe. explained that the urgency of the measure was m consequence of the emptiness of the Treasury. The.House will go into Committee of Supply on the Estimates at 7 '3d.