The Marlborough Press. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1879.

Marlborough Press, Volume XX, Issue 1196, 14 November 1879, Page 2

The Marlborough Press. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1879.

' The procedings in the House of Representatives for the past few days have not 'been marked by anything startling, the following being a resume of the most important business :■—Replying to questions, it was stated that Government desired further infoi’mation before introducing a Bill dealing with habitual drunkards. A tender had been provisionally accepted for the first portion of the WellingtonEoxton line, but for prudential reasons Government have since abandoned that intention. It was optional on the part of railway servants leaving the service to continue their connection with the Railway Benefit Society or not. There was a rule obliging railway employees on the South Island lines to belong to the Railway Benefit Society, but not more4han half the number were connected with the Society. No communication had been found from Rewi or other Natives relative -to an extension of the main line from Auckland to Lake Taupo, and thence to the West Coast, but that tbe practicability of the route would be tested. Government had under consideration a recommendation -to impose a duty on all coal imported into 'the Oblony, and also the propriety of complying with a petition from hop growers in Nelson, asking that the duty on imported hops be increased. The Triennial Parliaments Bill has been passed by the Assembly, but it is expected it will meet with a sorry reception from the Council. The Bill to validate tbe election of Captain Qolbeck, Major Te Wheoro, and Tawhai has passed. This Bill was introduced to • exempt the persons named from being subject to penalties, for sitting as members .while disqualified on account of holding appointments under Government. An attempt to confine each elector to one vote in the Colony was negatived on a division by 30 to 25, when the Qualification of Electors Bill was considered in Committee. This same Bill has occupied the attention of the House a large portion of the time devoted to business this week. . i