HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8046, 14 December 1887, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, December ' 13.— The House met at 2.20 p.m. Mr. Samuel wished to draw the attention of the House to an important matter. He said he found, by the Journals of the Legislative Council, that no lees than six members of that Chamber had been absent without leave of Her Majesty or the Governor for two whole sessions ; and_ he questioned whether they had not forfeited their seats inconsequence. The gentlemen he referred 4o were ' Meßsre. Pbarazyn, Oliver, Waterhouse, and Holmes, and Drs. Menzies and Pollen. He detailed the periods at which these members had been absent, and said he thought it right to bring the matter before the House. He hoped the Government would look carefnlly into it, and, if necessary, bring in an Indemnity Act to protect those gentlemen against possible penalties. Major Atkinson said it would be the duty of the Government to look into the matter and see what steps were rendered necessary. Th» Land Bill wus further considered in Committee. Mr. Marchant moved a new clause, that where any block of land exceeding 1000 acres has been held by any person for three years before the 81st December, 1887, and no occupation or improvement has taken place on it, the Governor may take possession of such ]and on payirent of the Property Tax valuation with £10 per cent, added, and it should be dealt with as waste lands of tbe Crown. The clause was lost by 32 to 27. Mr. Walker moved a new clause to the effect that the education reserves may be dealt with under this Act. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The Committee resumed at 7.30 p.m., and few amendments of no importance were moved and negatived. The bill was subsequently passed through Committee, and ordered to be reported. The Government Railway Bill was then committed, a long discussion ensued, when shortly after 2 a.m., a motion to report progress was lost on division by 38 to 14. After further discußßion clause 5 was carried without amendment. In clause 34, an amendment "by Mr. Hobbs to make the granting of the license for spirits, etc., by the Commissioner, subject to the approval of tbe licensing Commissioners, was carried by 26 to 6. In clause 71, tbe Commissioners to bear appeals was amended, so that employees mast make appeal within fourteen days of the decision which is appealed against. The remaining clauses were passed without amendment. At 4.30 the bill was reported. The House then again we^t intp committee to consider clanse 9, dealing with the salaries and allowances of Commissioners. The Minister of Public Workß moved that the Chief Commissioner receive £1500, and each of the other Commissioners £1,000 per annum. The clause as proposed by the Government was passed. The bill was then reported with amendments, and tbe third reading set down for the next sitting. The Land Bill was read a third lime and passed. The House rose at 5 a.m.