HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4165, 26 August 1881, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thto3dat, August 25,

AFTERNOON- SITTING. The House met at 2 30 p.m. NOTICES OP MOTION.

Sir W. Fox give notice of motion affirming the desirability of restricting the sale of intoxicating liquors in Bellamy's. The Bon J. Hail gave notice he would introduce the Otago Dock Trust Bill. QUESTIONS. Beplying to Mr Bastings, The Hon J. Hail stated that the appointment of a Minister for Public Works was under the serious consideration of Government, and bo Boon as a deoi.-:>jn had been arrived at the fact would be communicated to the House if in session.

Beplying to Mr Andrews, The Hou I. Dick promised Jovernment would make application to the authorities in Sydney for particulars as to the number of persons attacked by small-pox in that city, ■within the last twelve months, distinguishing between those persons who have been successfully vaccinated, those unsuccessfully vaccinated, an' 1 those who have never been vaccinated ; £.1-0 the mortality in each class.

Replying to the Hon W. Gisborne, The Hon T. Dick said Government had been advised that a prosecution would not be likely to be sustained in respect to the miscarriage of justice, stated by the Publio Petitions Committee to have occurred through the negligence of a Crown Prosecutor in the case of James Johnston, and they will not institute proceedings against the persons implicated for conspiracy in that case to defraud the said James Johnston. He further added Government made a practice of avoiding such prosecutions unless the same were likely to be successful. Beplying to the Hon W. Gisborne, The Hon «F. Hali. said some time ago information asked by the Home authorities ■was Bupplied relative to the " Native Lands Court Act, 1880," since which nothing f urtker had been heard on the subject.

The Hon T. Dice said Mr Skey was the analyst appointed for agricultural soils and manures. Samples for analytical purposes could be sent post free where the sample was of a nature which could be properly transmitted by post.

Beplying to Mr Reeves, The Hon W. Rollebton said that after the Estimates passed last session certain Sergeant-Majora were reduced in rank, and one shilling per day taken off their pay in addition to the 10 per cent reduction ; that certain sergeants and twelve constables were reduced in rank, and sixpence per day taken off their pay in addition to the 10 per cent reduction ; that from August 1, 1880, during the na3t financial year, twenty-six police sergeants, and a number of constables were reduced in rank, and sixpence per day taken off their pay in addition to the 10 per cent reduction between August 1 and December 31, 1880. While reductions were being made in the Police force, certain promotions were made in the reserve portion of the Constabulary. Certain third-class sergeants were promoted to second- clsbs Bergeants, and second-class sergeants promoted to first-class sergeants, vacancies in these departments having been filled up as they occurred. The reduction had nothing to do with the reserve or field force, which was only reduced in numbers aa it waß thought pru-

Beplying to Mr Turnbnll, The Hon J. Hail said steps had been taken to discover the deficiency stated by the late Minister for Public Works last session as existing in the Bailway Stores Department. Xbe supposed deficiency had turned out to be a mistake, having apparently arisen from frequent changes in the administration of working railways, and the absence, until recently, of any properly organised accounting system. HISOBLLASEOTTS. A Bill to authorise the construction of certain railways was introduced and read a first time, oa the motion of the Hjn J. Hall.

The following were read a se^md time : — Canterbury Bivers Act Amer. Iment Bill, Waimate and Temuka Public School Site Bill.

The following passed throujju Committee, were read a third time, and passed : — Geraldine Racecourse Beserve, Southland Agricultural Association Beserve, Bangiora High School, Akaroa High School, Waimakaliri Harbour Board .Loan, Waimate Racecourse Beierve, InvercargUl Gasworks Site, Eoxburgh Recreation Ground Management, and Ohristchuroh Municipal Empowering Sills.

The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.