IN SESSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8072, 13 October 1887, Page 5

IN SESSION.

BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE.

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES.

MR. HAMLIN NOMINATED.

SYDNEY TAIWHANGA'S PETITION.

WITCHCRAFT AMONG THE NATIVES.

(by tslegrapji.—special con RESPONDENT. J

Wellington, Wednesday. On the members of tho House of Representatives returning to their chamber after the reading of the Governor's spjeoh business was resumed, and a mass of notices given of motion, of Bills to brought iu, questions,etc., which gave little indication of a fortnight's adjournment. THE GTtKT COLLECTION'.

Sir G. Grey gave notice of a batch of Bills, Law Practitioners Rill, Limitation of Votes Bill, Eight Hours Bill, and his Land Acquisition and Settlement Bill. t MP.. HAMLIN NOMINATED. Mr. Hamlin is the Government nominee for the Chairmanship of Committees. ADDRE^S-IN-KKPLV. Mr. Graham (East Coast) will move, and Mr. McGregor (Akaroi) second the Address-in-Reply. \VI KATEVK'S ELECTION. A memorandum was read by the Speaker from the Chief Justice and Justice Ward

notifying that tho petition of Sydney Tai» whanga against tho return of Wi Katene had been withdrawn, and there was no reason to believe any collusion between the parties. The dirsolation of the Assembly rendered any further proceedings against Katene'a election useless.

AUCKLAND PETITIONS. Mr. Hobbs presented a petition from Edward March Williams, of Auckland, late Judge of Native Land Court, in which he states that but for his euforced retirement from April, ISSO, to April ISSI, he would be entitled, by computation system adopted by the Government, to an allowance of £250 per annum, and praying for consideration of his case. By Col. Fraser, from Simon Fraser, of Auckland, praying for a grant of £1740, the reward for the discovery of the West Taieri gold Held, offered in 1863 by the Otago Provincial Government. By A. J. Cadman, from Agnes Preece, praying for annulling of tho subdivision orders made by the Native Land Court in Block Waihoau No. 1, and that a rehearing of the subdivision applications take place, so that she may be represented to protect her interests. By Mr. Peacock from John Caswell, late a warder of the Avondaie Asylum, praying for further compensation, or, in tho case of refusal, a public inquiry into the circumstances of his ease and grievance.

A NATIVE CUSTOM. A petition was presented from Matia Paeroa and 37 others of Gisborne, praying that certain Maoris sentenced to imprisonment because it was stated they killed Nuku and Eiria on account of Nuku bewitching Mihare Pareke, be liberated, on the ground of its being a native custom to kill natives who practice witchcraft, and that there is no law in force in New Zealand by which persons killing others for practising witchcraft can be put to deith.