HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Southland Times, Issue 8090, 19 August 1885, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House metpJ2.W. Mr Macarthur-gave notice to ask whether the Government had received any intimation from the Agent General as to " his probable resignation, and if no, Whether they had entered into negotiations with pay ptber pergoq to fill tha ofjSce,

Sir G^drgC Grey gave notice to ask; the Governui' i nt to-morrow if they intended. to iin^eitake the construction of theEist .and West Coast rail way so as to connect Christchurcb and Hokitika. " k \ Replying to qqestionp, it was sttrted^that the pay li£; tte Auckland focomotiveifiremen bad not been reduced.— Mahurangi hydraulic lime was being used by the-Pub-]ic;^srkß JDapjirtment,, „. :. Jjr . '..^-■...^.^w A long discussion followed on the motion •tb.Bt the resolutions from the Committee of Supply bivl-eportedto the'Houße. Major Atkinson contended that Mr Ballance had not shown where the promised' saving of L 14,000 from other departments was to come from. ; Mr Ballance said he bad already proved ,' that in committee. He defended his conduct of the Native Department at somelength, and, said his administration of it had been as economical as that of his predecessors. The House went into committee on the Otago Dock Sill. Mr Boss moved that only one member of the Dock Trust should be elected by the borough of Port Ch&lmers instead of two as provided by the bill.— Amendment lost by casting vote of Chairman : Ayes, 28 ; noes, 28. Mr Gore moved to strike out "two persons elected by the borough of Port Chalmers." — Amendment lost by 32 to 21. Debate interrupted by the 5,30 p.m. adjournment. .