Souse of Representatives.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 837, 17 July 1879, Page 2

Souse of Representatives.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30. ' The Premier stated, m answer to Mr. Murray, that if a necessity arose arrangements would be made for excursion tickets on New Zealand railways during the Sydney exhibition. A number of Bills were read a first time, including Bribery Bills and Electoral Bills. | Sir William Fox moved the appoint- [ ment of Mr. Seymour as Chairman of Committees, remarking that the praotice has been since 1854 for the Government to move, it ; but they intimated yesterday that they had no one to propose, and. therefore he stood m the place of the Government. The Premier seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Premier proposed that the House should sit that evening and proceed with the Address m Reply to the Governor's speech, so as to go on with the Loan Bill m order that the proposal to raise might be sent out to reach London m September, as otherwise it could not be floated bf^ore January, thus greatly inconveniencing tho - proseoution of Public Works. : Sir William Fox said the proposal was most unusual, and one to whioh he would strongly object. If the financial affairs of the colony were so very urgent, Parliament ought to have been called together earlier. Major Atkinson spoke to same effect. The Speaker ruled that as there were voices m the negative the motion could not be put. The House has not resolved to sit m the evenings yet. Mr. Macondrew moved the appoint- I ment of a committee to consider the principal upon whioh Government advertisements should be distributed among newspapers. Mr. McLean condemned the course the Government had pursued m the matter, and taunted them with wanting the House to take the responsibility off their shoulders now that they were m a shady condition. He moved the adjournment, to which Mr. Macandrew consented. The Minister of Public Works gave notice of a Committee to enquire into and report on the best means for establishing a direct steam mail service between New Zealand and the mother country. Mi*. Wakefield said that seeing how, during the recess, the Government had established a sort of steam service without the authority of Parliament, the question was one for consideration by the Cabinet, and to afford an opportunity of considering, he moved tho adjournment of the debate. Mr. Macandrew objected, and called for a division. The result was 28 for the adjournment, and 28 against. On the motion of Mr. Woolcock, a resolution was passed, asking Government to take steps to remedy defects m the Electoral rolls, caused by the neglect of local bodies to send m proper lists of ratepayers. On a motion of Mr. Macfarlane, a committee was appointed to report on what facilities can be given to newspapers m the use of telegraph without detriment to the public, or undue loss to the revenue. THE ADDRESS IN REPLY. Mr. Shanks gave notice that on the next sitting day he would move an address m reply to his Excellency's speech. A number of sessional committees were nominated and other formal business transacted, and the House adjourned at 3.30.