HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXI, Issue 162, 3 July 1895, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30. SIBOBO. GBBY'SBESIGWATJON. The Speaker read the cablegram he, had received from the AgentGeneral to the effect that Sir Geo. Grey had posted his resignation of the Auckland seat on Friday last. He (O'Rorke) said a similar case had occurred m 1887, when a member had resigned his seat m the same way, and the Agent-General had acquainted him (the Speaker) by cable of the fact. The Hon. Mr Seddon said he had received a cablegram from the Agent General to the same effect as that read by tbe Speaker. Under section 139 of the Electoral Act power was given to a member of the House to resign his seat m this way, but it must be done m the presence of two Justices of the Peace. He felt satisfied that SirG. Grey's resignation had been given to the AgentGeneral, and he should move next day that a writ be issued for the election of a member for Auckland. QUESTIONS. Replying, it was statodthat a Bill would be introduced this session to amend the Shop and Shop Assistant's Act. That the Government intended to have another analysis of the water and muds of thermal springs disirict. That the Government do not con* aider any change m the present management of the Rotorua sanitoritum was necessary. That a Bill was being prepared dealirg with the whole question of the supply of lime for agricultural purposes. That the Government could not reduce xailage haulage rates for potatoes. That the Government did not propose to amend the Vaccination Act m the direction of making vaccination optional. That no further proposals had been laid before Government during the re-cess for the amalgamation of the Colonial Bank with the Bank of New Zealand ; and no legislation on the subject was proposed to be introduced m the present session. That an order had been sent Home some time ago for a new c&b'.e to lay across Cook Straits m place of the broken three core cable. That the question of establishing a depot of warlike stores at Wellington was under the consideration of the military adviser to the Government. That it was not the intention of the Government to surrender tjje pre-emptive right over native lands, but anomalies m the Native Land Court Act of last session would be taken into consideration, with a view of affording a remedy. That the Government would endeavor to make some arrangement m the dhection cf granting free railway passes to enable country pupils who have passed the sixth standard to attend the District High Schools nearest tf their homea.

Th'it the Government w> s endeavoring t ) obtain land for a State fara* m the South Island. That a Bill w.uld bo introduced regulating the right to prospect and mine for gold and other minerals on private property. That a Bill was being framed to amend " The Chattels Transfer Act, 1889," and consideration T&ould be given to the proposal to include book debts m the definition of chattels. That the Bchool Reader to be published by Government was almost ready, and the Minister for Education hoped to have it circulated m iwo or three weeks. The House rose at 5.30.