PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 3437, 6 October 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[•ADVERTISER' SPECIAL WIRE,]

(PEE PBESS AGENOY.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

AFTERNOON SITTING. V\ Ellington, Friday. The following is a more extended account of the proceedings than our space allowed on Saturday of the preliminaries to the adjourned debate on the no-confi-dence motion: - The House met at 2,30 p.m., when i several petitions were presented and. notices of motion were given. PETITION OF ME ALLEY. Mr Bbyce brought up report on the petition of Henry Alley. THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE LUNA. Mr Brown asked the Postmaster General, without notice, whether the 'Luna' had the San Francisco mail on board when she left for the houth on the 31th August, 1872, as stated by the Hon. Mr Hall. Mr Hall stated that he did not say the i 31st August, 1872. Mr Bbown asked leave to omit the date mentioned, but was requested by the Speaker to give notice of question if he wished to press it. j HEW MEMBEBB. Mr John Lundon (Mongonui and Bay of Islands) took the oath and his seat. NAVIGATION OF THE THAMES BIVEE. Mr Whyie asked the Government whether they are aware that navigation on the Thames river has been stopped by the natives, and if so what steps they intend to take (if any), to keep open that important highway of communication. The Pbemieb said the Native Minister would answer the question when he made his statement. WASTE LANDS BOABDS. Mr Hutchison asked the Government whether it is their intention in connection with their proposed land legislation to introduce any measure of reform in the waste lands boards of the colony, and if so will the Minister of Lands indicate the direction in which bucU reform will shape itself. Mr Thomson said the matter was under consideration and he hoped to state their views on the second reading of the Lands Bill. QOVEBNMENT TENDEBS. The Pbemibb, in reply to Mr Hutchison, said there were more difficulties in calling for tenders for the repairs of •government steamers than for other public works and repairs, but he agreed with the question, and would see that it was done in all public cases. PBISONEBS' LABOUB. Mr Stevkns asked if it was true that a number of men have been dismissed from employment on the ballast train of the Canterbury section of the New Zealand railways, and that prison labour has since been employed on that duty. The Public Wobks Minister said he had received a communication from Canterbury to the effect hat these men bad not been employed on the ballast train, but he would make further enquiry. THE BEVENUE BETUBNB. The Colonial Tbeasubbb, in reply to Mr McLean, said that a statement showing the reoeipts from the customs revenue for the quarter ended the 30th Septembtr, also receipts from land revenue for the same period, had been prepared, and would be laid on the table at once. The Ministeb of Lands, in reply to Mr Bain, said the report of Mr Pearson, Crown Land Commissioner for Southland, was a full copy of the original report; but the report re success of deferred payment system had also been sent in, which would be laid on the table. FOBTNIGHTLY PAYMENTS. The Ministeb of Public Wobks, in reply to Mr W. Swanson, said clause 23 in the conditions of Government contracts would be enforced, oausin? workmen to bo paid fortnightly, and enforce payment of penalty of £20 for breach of clause. BECENT GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS. The Pbemieb, in reply to Mr Bowen, said a return would be furnished to the House of all persons appointed since the prorogation of the late Parliament to any paid office or position of emolument under the Government, with a statement in each oaso of the nature of the office, whether temporary or permanent, and tho emolument attached to it, VOGEL'S CANDIDATUBE AT FALMOUTH. The Pbemieb, in reply to Mr Murray, said Sir J. Vogel had not applied for leave to stand for the representation of an English constituency in the House of Commons, but Government had heard of such intention, and telegraphed that it was not desirable he should do so. LANDS AT NGABUAWAHIA. Mr Whii'AKbb asked the Minister of Lands if steps have been taken to open up suburban allotments in the vicinity of the township of Ngaruawahia, and what length of time \fill probably elapse before such steps may be expected to produce the desired result. Mr Thomson replied that the matter had been referred to the Native Department to ascertain what blocks _ were promised to natives before the opening up of the land for sale. THE WAIBABAPA GOLDFIELD. The Ministeb of Justice, in reply to Mr Seddon, said it was not the intention of Government to open a Warden's office

and appoint a Warden for the Wairnrapa dislrio until they had some evidence of the payable naiure of the land, and took steps to acquire it. BAILWAY EMPLOYEES. The Minister of lublic Woisks, in reply fo Mr Andrews, laid on tho table the regulations under which employees on railways were engaged, showing the hours and rate of pay, overtime, etc. JUBY LAWS. The Paemieb, in reply to Mr Hutchinson as to whether Government intended to introduce a further reform in the Jury Laws, more especially by the abolition of tho Grand Jury system, and the improvement of Coroners' Inquests by jury, and an increase of payment to common jurors, said the whole of the points were under consideration, and a measure would be brought in to remedy the evil. NEW BILLS. Leave was given to introduce the following bills:- Mr Hutchinson, a bill for the abolition of imprisonment for debt; and to Mr Gfisborne, Debtors Creditors Act, 1876, Amendment Bill. Tho Address in Eeply dobate followed.