HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2628, 26 August 1876, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Fbidat, August 26. The Home met at 2.80. BIiTTFF BAH.WAY. Mr Wood asked if Government intended calling for tenders for the completion of the fencing of the Bluff and Invarcargill railway. The Hon E. Richabdson said the line wh still in the bands of the Provincial Govern* ment,and Government knew nothing about the fencing. WAIHATB. In reply to Mr Teiohemaker, The Hon 0. 0. Bowbn said there was not enough business to justify Government in appointing a Besident Magistrate at Waimate at present, but if it was oreated into a muni* cipality, as was said to be probable, the Mayor oould aot as magistrate. In any case the railway would be soon open, and then fortsightly visits of a magistrate wonld be arranged. As the court-house acoommoda* tion was undoubtedly too small, the present accommodation would be increased. BUILDING 80CIBTIB8 BILL. This was advanced a stage in Committee. BATING BILL This BUI was further considered in Com* mittee. A long discuision ensued on the teoond sub-section of clause 40, relating to mining property. A division took place on the question whether the following words should be inserted in the second olause, section 40, " And any land held under lease or license for mining purposes, other than gold mining, shall be rateable property only to tbe extent of their surface value." Tbe amendment was rejected by 28 to 24. On sub-section 3, exempting land occupied for a publio purpose by the Grown or the looal body of the district, Mr Mubbat-Ayhslby moved that it be struck out. Mr Huntbb moved as an amendment that the exemption shall only apply to such properties occupied by the Crown as belong to tho Crown. He urged that it was not fair that owners of property rented by Government should escape paying rates. -Tho sub- section was retained as printed. A good deal of discussion ensued as to whether churehoa, o'lapMs, and religious sohoola should be exempt from rating, several holding that the olause should be struok out. On an amendment by Mr Bows, that the words " churches and schools established by religious bodies " be struok out, a division was taken, and the amendment rejected by 41 against 16. The House rose at 5.30. [raoir oub own cobbmpokdbst.] , . WELLINGTON, AugUlt 25, i The Wellington members had a meeting today about the County boundaries. ; The whole afternoon was spent in Committee on the Bating BilL , . ; The Government intend going Into Supply to-night, and there is sure to be a row. ,