HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES,

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 109, 11 July 1866, Page 2

HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES,

Wednesday, July 4. In reply to Major Richardson, Mr. Stafford said i the cpiestion of ihe distillation ordinance was under j consideration, and tlie Government hoped to be able ! to bring in a more definite Act, if it should seem desirable to permit distillation. Mr. Carleton was elected chairman of committees. Colonel Haultain moved the appointment of a committee to inquire into and report upon the confiscated lands. Motion passed. A number of committees were axipointed. On the motion of Mr. Pilzgerald, a return was made of the copy of any appointment or authority under which his Honor Dr. Eeatherstone exercises the duties of a Land Purchase Commissioner. Mr. Campbell moved the reply to the speech. Mr. Joseph Newman seconded the resolution. All the resolutions in the reply were agreed to, and referred to a select committee to prepare an address in accordance therewith. The address was brought up and agreed to. Tuuksday, July 5. In reply to Mr. C. Ward, Mr. Stafford stated that tlie Government were not prepared to advise his Excellency to grant a charter ot incorporation to such towns or districts as petitioned for n municipal corporation. There might be particular cases to which no such objection would be made. Mr. Stall. rd moved and Colonel Haullain seconded, That a select committee be; appointed to consider as to the best manner in whk-h. the debates can be reported. Motion pas;;.d.' Mr. Crosbie Ward moved. "That there be laid on the table of this House a return showing the expense incurred iii the Postal Department in allowances to sub-postmasters and licensed vendors on the sale of postage stamps for tho financial year ended 30th June .iStii)." It was a matter of great inconvenience that, the allowance to vendors of stamps should have been stopped, and he would like to know what measure of economy would balance this great public inconvenience. Mr. Stafford, in the absence of the PostmasterGeneral, said that ifc was voluntary on the part of some vendors to sell post stamps, but it was the duty of the country postmasters to do so, and it was, therefore, merely :i question of salary with regard to them. He had ascertained that the PostmasterGeneral was at present taking steps to remunerate these latter, iu lieu of the commission that they had previously received. With regard to the others, he believed they would still sell stamps without commission, as it was not for that small amount, which would not cover the interest on the first outlay, that they did so, but to draw custom . There might be some hardship with regard to the country postmasters, but there was none with regard to the latter, and no public inconvenience arose from it. Mr. J. C. Richmond said that great inconvenience did arise from this at Nelson, where, he might say, that postage stamps could only be got at the Postoffice, and when a mail was leaving the clerks were besieged for them, and the greatest annoyance was the consequence. After a discussion, the motion was carried. The Speaker announced that the address had been presented to his Excellency, who thanked the House. A number of committees were appointed, and the House adjourned.