HOUSS OF REPRESENTATIVES

Otago Witness, Issue 1465, 13 December 1879, Page 11

HOUSS OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday,' 9th December, replies to questions. Mr SHEPHARD asked whether Government would inaka provision for paying the preneut rate of subsidies to local bodies, for the quarter ending June 30th, 1880. Tha Hon. Major ATKINSON said he could not make the promise aslked. It would be the duty of Government to bring down a general proposition on the subject next session:

Replying to Mr Reeves, The Hon. Mr ROLLESTON promised to consider the necessity for tha periodical removal of wardens of goldfields at least once every three years. Mr HARRIS asked Government-(1.) Whether they were responsible for the damage to fences caused by sparks from locomotives on New Zealand Railways. (2 )If they would causo inquiries to be made into several claims made by settlers in Franklyn against Government for compensation for damage done to their catfclo by locomotives on the Auckland and Waikato railway, with the view of redressing their grievances. (3. ) If they will cause inquiry to be made into complaints of certain alleged unfulfilled promises in regard to fencing, stated to have beeu made by Government to settlers in Franklyn on their giving their land to Government for railway purposes. (4.) If they will erect fencing on the Auckland-Wai-kato railway line where settlers can prove that Government promised to do so. The Hon. Mr OLIVER replied that they were advised that they were not responsible for damage so occasioned. When cases of the kind occurred they were strictly inquired into. When a well-founded claim was established, the repairs would be made by Government. THE REMAINING BUSINESS OF THE SESSION. Replying to a question put yesterday by Mr Macandrew,

The Hob. J. HALL said that the following was the order of business proposed by Government : — They would pass before the close of the session the following bills : — The Customs Duties, Tobacco Manufacturers, Revision of Statutes, Property Assessment, Land Tax Collection, Building Societies Act Amendment, and Electoral Acts Repeal. The other bills set down would depend on the time of the House. If time permitted he hoped to get through the Special Powers and Contracts Bill, the Counties Bill, Public Reserves Sale Bill, and Regulation of Elections Bill. They saw no hope of proceeding with the Hospital and Charicable Aid Bill. The other bills on the order paper would be dropped, includisg the Representation Bill, Electoral Petitions Bill, Gaming and Lotteries Bill, and Alienation of Maori Lands Bill. If members would condense their speeches as much as possible Government hoped to be in a position to have the House prorogued not later than Tuesday. BILLS PASSED. The Revision of Statutes Bill passed through Committee, was reported, read a third" time, and passed. The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, Amendment Bill was reported with amendment, read a third time, and passed. SEOOND READINGS. The Special Powers and Contracts Bill and the Land Tax Collection Bill were read a second time. PROPERTY ASSESSMENT BILL. The House then went into Committee on the Property Assessment Bill. A motion was made to include steam-engines in the exemption clauses. The House divided— ayes, 37 ; noes, 38. The motion was lost. Sir GEORGE GREY moved an amendment — " That the words 'and machinery of every description' be inserted." The House divided— ayes, 35 ; noes, 40. The amendment was lost. It was moved, ag a further amendment — " That the following b9 exempted : Steam engines used for manufacturing purposes, steam vessels, and machinery for mills and agricultural pursuits or, timber industries." A division resulted as follows :— Ayes, 31 ; noes, 37. The amendment was lost. The next amendment was by Mr SEDDON, for the insertion of all property belonging to or veßted in persons for mining other than goldmining. This was lost on the voices. , The next amendment was for the exemption of draught horaes employed for farm purposes, and dairy cows, the division being— ayes, 22 ; noes, 37. The remaining clauses of the Property Assessment Bill passed through Committee without any substantial alteration. The House- rose at 2 10 a.Wi Wednesday, 10th Decembee. Mr THOMSON asked whether the Government intended placing any sum on the Estimates for roads in deferred-payment blocks disposed of prior to Ist January, 1878, as was done last year. Tho Hon. Mr ROLLESTON replied that LIO.OOO had been voted last year for this purpose, and he understood they had made no provision for the matter this year, although considerable provision had heen made for the opening of such lands for sale. Replying to Mr M'Caughan, The Hon. Mr ROLLESTON said he had not made himself fully acquainted with the necessity for a reserve of 3000 acres in the vicinity of Mount Nigh .cap as an endowment for Riverton Harbour. Replying to Mr Finn, The Hon ; Mr ROLLESTON said he had had no official intimation that the public gaol at Arrowtown had beea condemned by the Government inspector. MINES ACT AMENDMENT. The amendments proposed by the Legislative Council in the Mines Act, 1877, Amendment Bill were not agreed to, and Meesrs Reeves, Finn, and De Lautour were appointed to draw up reasons for dissent. The House mat at 7 30 p.m. BILLS. The Slaughterhouse Acfc, 1867, Amendment Bill passed on motion to go into Committee. On the Taranaki Iron Smelting Works, 1876, Amendment Bill, awarding the Company 8000 acres of land, a lengthened debate ensued, and the House divided — ayes, 34; noes, 24. The bill was passed through Committee, waa re- ( ported, read a third time, and passed,

On the second reading of the Civil Lisb Act,' 1873, Amendment Bill, a division was taken — ayes, 25 ; jioes, 35. The Land Claims Arbitration Bill, on for second reading, was thrown out on the voices. The.adjourned debate on the' second reading of the Elective Legislative Council Bill was brought on, and the House divided — ayes, 24 ; noes, 35 — and the bill thrown out.

On the motion for going into Committee on the Prevention of Corruption Bill a division took place— ayes, 28 ; noes, 29— and thu bill was thrown out. The Municipal Corporations Act, 1676, Amendment Bill was also thrown out on the motion for committal.