HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8834, 18 July 1890, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, July 17.—The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p m. Replying to questions, it was stated that the Government recognised tho advisability of pushing forward the laying of the proposed Pacific cable owing to the frequent interruptions of the cables of tho Eastern Extension Company, and as soon as satisfactory arrangements could bo made the Government would inform the House of them; that the Government could not introduce labor Billa-now beforo the House till considerable progress had been -made with the Estimates; that the Government had tendered no advice to His Excelleny on the question of calling any gentleman to the Legislative Council; that the Government did not agree with the desirability of taxing totalisators, as such action would seem to further legalise them ; that the Government couid not yet see their way to impose an export duty on bulk or unsawn kauri timber ; that the Government were considering whether they should take steps to amend- the laws so that half-castes and Maoris could bo made legally responsible for the maintenance of their wives and children in cases of desertion ; that provision would be made, as far as possible*, for the . proper inspection of snips sailing from New Zealand, in. order to see that they were not badly loaded or overloaded ; that an instruction had been issued to the Commissioners of Waste Land' Boards to enquire into the claims under the Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteers Act ; that the Bill now before the Legislative Council would provide for making appointments to the Legislative Council for a limited term, instead of for life ; that the Government would take every opportunity of instructing the AgentGeneral to prevent New Zealand frozen meat being sold in England as Homegrown meat, and they would use every endeavor to prevent a fraud of this kind. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. On the House resuming, Mr Mitchelson said he deeply regretted to have to inform the House that Mr Turnbull, the member for Timaru, died that afternoon, and he proposed, in accordance wita the custom usual on such occasions, and out of respect to Mr Turnbull's memory, to ask the House to adjourn till next day. Mr Ballance seconded the motion for the adjournment, as an appropriate tribute to one who had occupied so high a place in the regard of hon. members. He desired to say that they had all lost an earnest personal friend —a feeling which was shared by many members of th) House. Mr Turnbull had been in the House for twelve years, and his public and private character would ever be remembered with feelings of respect. Mr Steward (Waimate) said that until a few hours previous to his death Air Turnbull looked forward to taking his place amongst them shortly. Messrs fyke, Rhodes, and Walker also bore testimony to the high character of the departed member, and remarked that by hiß death the House had lost a most faithful representative. The motion was agreed to. The House rose at 7.40 p.m.