House of Representatives.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 1404, 20 August 1881, Page 2

House of Representatives.

The House met yesterday at 7.30, there being no afternoon sitting. The Hold Duty Abolition BUI whs amended in committee, l>v fixing the tirst of January, 1883, as tlw date when the duty should altogether cease, the duty being gradually reduced in the meantime. A now clause was also introduced, leaving abolition duty optional to the local bodies. The Bill was reported with amendments. Mr. Pyke complained that the notice of motion he hud given on the previous day, that the House should be prorogued to enable the Governor to visit the Western Pacific, and members of the House to renew their exhausted energies of mind and body, appeared on the order paper in a mutilated form. The Speaker said he would* not allow burlesque motions to appear on the order paper, or any motions involving reflections on the Governor. Mr. Pyke endeavored to speak, but was ordered by the Speaker to sit down, Mr. Pyke, however, persisted in speaking, and the Speaker appealed to the House to support him. Hon. J. Hall said that Mr. Pyke had frequently shown himself disregard ful of the authority of the Chair, and it was his painful duty, as leader of the House, to move that Mr. Pyke 'had been guilty of contempt of the House. The Speaker said if Mr. Pyke would give notioe of motion to bring his (the Speaker's) ruling under review, he would not put the Hon. J. Hall's motion to the House. Mr. Pyko accepted the offer, and gave notice accordingly for Monday. The Practice of Law Bill (Grey) was a read a first time. Mr. Wright moved— " That this House approves of the recommendations contained in the report of the Committee on the New Plymouth Harbour Works, and requests the Government to bring in a Bill this session to give effect thereto." Mr. Kelly disputed the correctness of the calculations made by the Committee, and hoped the House would not agree to the motion. Hon. John Hall thought the House would not be justified in taking any definite action merely on the information before it, and moved as an amendment, that a Parliamentary Cointnis sion bo ap|K)intod by Act of the Assembly to inquire into and report on the New Plymouth harbor scheme, as to its utility and practicability, as to its financial position and prospects, and us to the fairness of rating, equally or otherwise, all the lands included in the present rating district. The Commission to have power to stop all expenditure on the present harbor works. Sir George Grey thought those who had settled in the district on the strength of what the House had authorised deserved the consideratiou of the House. They should act with care and prudence before retracing their steps. He considered the Premier's proposal would meet the justice of the case. Sir W. Fox concurred with Sir George Grey's sensible and proper view of the case. A lengthy debate ensued, and ultimately Mr. Wrights motion was negatived, and Mr. Hall's amendment became the substantive motion, which was amended by striking out the latter part about the Commission having power to stop the present harbor works, and inserting the following words instead : — " The Bill appointing the Commihsion to provide for the cessation of all exj>enditure until the report of the Commission bo considered by the H»use, except such expenditure as may be necessary to preserve the works and material from injury, such expendituretobemade by the Government." The Hon. John Hall's motion, as so amended, was then agreed to. The Education Act Amendment Bill (Bible in schools), was brought down from the Council. Hon. John Hall moved that the Bill be now read a first time, which was negatived on the voices, several members contended that that course was discourteous to the Council, and after much discussion, Mr. Fulton gave notice that he would move the first reading of the Bill on Tuesday. The House rose at 1.30. It is expected that the prorogation will take place in the second week in September that being the time of the arrival of H.M.S. Emerald at Auckland, in which vesse^ the Governor will proceed' to Fiji.