HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XIX, Issue 187, 24 August 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, August 23,

The Houfle met at 2*30. Mr SHEPBER.D brought up a very long report from the Koads and Bridges Construotion Committee, with a long report from the Surveyor-General attached.

Major ATKINSON stated Government would carefully consider the report, and ao far as they approved would embody them m a bill.

Mr J. GREEN Raid the Committee was a hollow farce.

Mr STEWARD said the Committee had only taken the Surveyor-General's evidence. It was most unfair. His district was shamefully treated.

Captain M'KENZIE defended the con. duct of the Committee.

After farther discussion the report was ordered to be laid on tha table.

Major ATKINSON read telegrams from the Premier of Viotoria about the Annexation Conference, and stated that at the oloso of the session Government proposed to send a representative to the Conference.

Sir G. GREY stated, m reference to what had taken place m Committee last night, that he had written to the Colonial Treasurer asking him to fnfil his promise to give facilities for moving the following resolution :— "That a Committee be appointed to enquire into and report upon the action of the Government iv administering since the end of March, 1883, the laws relating to native lands m mioh a manner as to benefit their friends."

The Colonial Treasurer replied that as the resolution was not at all of the nature indicated, he declined to afford any facilities for moving it. Replying to (juestions, Ministers said : That when railway employees absented themselves for the purpose of votioj; the time was deducted from their wages. — Government proposed next session to bring m a bill to afford increased encouragement for planting forest trees. — Several interim reports regarding the North Island main trank line through Elawkes Bay had been received. A fairly practicable line had been found.-Oovorn-ment would consider the desirability of moving Supreme Court Judges from one district to another. — Government would during the recess consider a measure for mining on private lands, — Terawhiti and Ninety-mile Beich c mid not be proclaimed mining districts, being on private land. — Amendments of the law of insurance would be mado uett session as to borrowing on policies for the wife's benefit.

Interrupted at 6.30 adjournment