HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 7113, 10 July 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Fridat, July P.— The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. Thompson brought up a report Ol the District Railway Purchasing Committee, which was ordered to bo read by tho Clerk. Mr. Steward said tho report had only just been placed in his hands, and he asked that the debate on it might be adjourned to a future day. He pointed out that the report was contradictory as regarded his being actuated by pecuniary motives. Major Atkieson said that, looking at the gravity of the report, the Government should fix some day for its consideration. Sir R. Stout had no objectian to tnko it on Wednesday. After some discussion, the report was ordered to be considered on Wednesday next. In replying to questions, it was stated that the Premier had asked hia colleagues whether he should advise His Excellency to call Mr. Carrington, o£ New Plymouth, to the Legislative Council if, he was willing to be called, but he was not willing ; that the Agent- General had been communicated with as to whether H.M.S. Miranda could be retained in New Zsalund no a training ship for the colony. Mr. Vincent Pyke called the attention of the House to a question of: privilege in relation to thejrejection of Tax Remission Bills by the Legislative Council, Ho explained that the Legislative Council had recently rejected the Gold Duty Abolition Bill, but, as the Hous6 had no cognisanoe o£ this matter, it was necessary that a motion should be made for a Committee to be appointed to search the records of the Legislative Council to ascertain the proceedings in connection with the bill. He therefore moved for a committee for this purpose. Sir R. Stout suggested that tho debate be adjourned till Tuesday, to enable them to look into the matter. The amendment was carried by 36 to 27, and tbe deba.e adjaurned. Mr. Tole moved the committal of the Supreme Court Reporting Bill, which was lost on a division by 31 to 26, and the Bill thrown out. Mr. Tole moved the committal of the Criminal Code Bill. Sir R. Stout asked the House to consider the Bill, which had been before them several times. In 1883 a special committee had considered tho Bill, whioii had been prepared by the ablest criminal judges in the world. Ho hoped the House would go on with tho Bill. Mr. Seddon moved— "That the Billbe referred to a Select Committee, to confer with a similer committee of the Lojiislt tivo Council, and to report." Tho discussion which ensued was kept up to the adjournment hour. THE RAILWAY PURCHASE SCANDAL. On the House resuming at 7.30 p.m., Mr. Peacock rose to make a personal explanation. He expressed surprise at the Pre» mier's statement that he was reflected on in tho Purchase of District Railways Committee's report. lie denied that such was the case, and said ho had always taken care never to mix himself up in an 3' question when tho Railways Bill was bein°discussed in tho House, nor had he received any profit whatever from tho debentures, 110 appealed to che Chairman of the Committees to say whether they had intended to disparage his conduct, but tho Speaker said further discussion was out oE order. Sir G. Grey went on with his speech on the Criminal Cole Bill, and concluded by moving tho adjournment of tho Houso to enable Mr. Peacock's case to be debated. The Speaker ruled this could not bo done. Mr. Tolo wanted to know how many years tho House wanted for consideration of the bill. He objected to reference to the Committee, and would rather soe tho bill thrown out at once. The motion for committal was lost by 33 to 30. J Tha motion for reference to tho Committee was lost on the voices, and ag no division, was called for the bill was thrown out. The Civil Service Reform Bill was next considered in committo, when several amendments were made and progress was reported at clause 17, Tho House then went into committee on tho Defence Bill. After some discussion, Mr. O'Connor having moved to exempt ofliccrs of local bodies, when the supper adjournment took place. Clauso 90, "Militia not to bo called upon to leave the district in which raised," was struck out. Scvcial clauses wcro postponed, and tho rcmaindor of tho bill passed. Tho Police Force Bill was considered in committee, and passed with slight auicnl meats. Tho House rose at 1.5 a.m.