HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3987, 22 August 1874, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[PER ANGLO-AUSTRAIIAN TELEGRAM COMPANY.] WELLINGTON, Friday, 8 p.m. BItLS. The Otago Waste Lands Bill passed. The Harbour Works Bill passed. ORDER Or BUSINESS. Monday afternoon will be given to private business. The evening sitting and the rest of the week, excepting Wednesday, will be devoted to Government business. PROROGATION. The prorogation is expected next week. JUDGE WILSON GREY.

A draft bill has been brought down recommending a retiring allowance to Mr. Wilson Grey, District Judge of Otago. The Premier spoke in high terms of his services to the country, and said he would be prepared to increase the allowance if the House desired it, as his health was utterly shattered, and he had again and again refused a higher position than that he occupied. Mr. Macandrew warmly supported the bill. Hβ said Mr. Grey had sacrificed his health in the service of the country night and day, and he would gladly support the proposal to maketheamountlarger. Mr. Fox, Mr. O'Neill, and Mr. McGlashau each spoke in a like manner. The Premier said the Government proposed to give him a year's leave of .absence on full pay. Mr. O'Rorke took that opportunity of expressing a hope that the House would re-consider the decision regarding Sir William Martin's allowance, which was too small for the lirst Chief Justice of the colony. Mr. McLean said it would be a deep refleetion upon the colony if it did not recognise the services of its first Chief Justice in a better way than it would do for the chief clerk.

THE WAITEMATA SEAT. The Select Committee met again to-day, and declared Mr. Von der Heyde's election void. MR. O'RORKE AND OTHERS IN EXPLANATION. Mr. O'Rorke made an explanation that his absence from the division last evening was because he had not anticipated that the debate would close so early, and had he been in the House he would have voted for the amendment of the member for Selwyn. Messrs. White and Harrison explained that when they arrived at the House they found the doors locked, and intended to vote for the previous question. Mr. Walters also explained that he had not anticipated the debate would close so eoon. He intended to vote for the resolution. THE POLYNESIAN SCHEME. On the motion of the Premier, the Pacific Islands Trade Encouragement Bill was discharged from the order paper. He said that theGoveriiment deemed it unadvisable to proceed with the measure at this late period of the session.

ELECTORAL BILL. The Premier stated, also, that for a like reason the Government did not intend to proceed with the Qualification of Electors Bill. It was evident that the details of the bill would ocenpy a great deal of time in discussion. Mr. Wales opposed the Premier's proposal to withdraw the measure. He hoped the Government would reconsider its decision and proceed with the bill, which would place upon the electoral roll a large class of young men, and men of judgment and education who did not happen to hold property qualifications. Amongst this class were miners, and he regretted to say that the principal opponents of the bill were goldtields members. He wished it might be made one of the questions to be submitted to the country if there was to be a dissolution. Mr. Tribe was alro anxious the bill should be proceeded with this session, but as it appeared to be inconvenient to go on with it now, lie hoped it would be brought on early next session. The Premier stated that the Government approved of the bill, and had every desire to support it, but owing to the period of the session aud the business still before them, they did not see their way to "o on with the bill.

VOLUNTEER ACT. Mr. McLean moved the second reading of the Volunteer Act Amendment Bill. It enabled various corps to acquire land for Volunteer Companies, and vested it in the commanders of the corps and their successors. It also provided that licence may be granted to Volunteer corps for tlie purposes of riile or artillery practice. The Act also applies to lands heretofore purchased. The bill was read a second time. LOAN' BILLS. The House vent into committee upon the Immigration and Public Works Amendment Bill. A new clause was introduced providing for the repair or re-construction of the road between Hokitikn. and Christehurcli out of the Middle Island railway fund account for Canterbury and Westland respectively. It was opposed by Rolleston and Wilsou, but agreed to. Bill passed.