HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6648, 12 September 1889, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, Sept. 11. AFTEKNOON SITTING. DISSOLUTION. Mr BaMiANCe gave notice that on going into Committee of Supply he would move-— "That, in the opinion of this House, it is expedient there should be a dissolution of Parliament after the termination of the present session, and that the new Parliament should meet for the despatch of business as soon as possible after the expiration of the present financial year/* MINIBTEBUL BTATEMENT. The Pbkmieb made a statement to the effeotthat the Government intended proceeding with the Public Health Bill, Licensing Act Amendment Bill, Rating Bill, Weatport -Ngakawau Railway Extension Bill, Hospitals and Charitable Institutions BUI (No. 2), West Coast Settlements Bill, Land Transfer, Native Land Courts Act Amendment Bill, Property Tax Bill (fixing tax for the year), and Public Revenues Bill. He said there was no reason why the whole of the business should not be finished by Thursday night. Tffß DISHONOUBKD OBDKS. Consideration of the report, of the Honorarium Committee was resumed by The P&BMiEB, who moved for leave to bring in a Bill of a retrospective character, providing that the honorarium should be unassailable in law or equity. Mr Ballance thought the House should first adopt the report of the Committee. Mr Sbddon moved as an amendment — " That the Speaker's order be given effect to, and that in order to ensure it, a Bill be brought in to deal with the question." After considerable debate, the Premier's motion waa lost by 59 to 13. WESTPOBT-NGAKAWAU BAILWAY. Th6 Hon E. Mitchslson moved the second reading of the Westport-Ngakawau Railway Extension Bill, to extend the railway seven miles, at a cost of .£3300. Mr Withy supported the |Bill. He thought the money would be better spent on the railway than on harbour works. Mr Hutchison moved an amendment, that while recognising the importance of stimulating competition in the development of coalfields, the present is not an opportune time for entering upon Public Works. EVENING SITTING. WBBTPOBT-NGAKA.WA.TT BAILWAY. Mr Saundebs supported the Bill, and said it would bo absolutely wrong and unwise of the House to do anything that would prevent the coalfields to be opened up by the railway from being properly developed. The motion for the second reading was carried by 33 to 23, and the amendment lOBt. The House divided on the motion for the committal of the Bill presently, which was carried by 35 to 22. HOSPITALS AND CHABITABIdB AID. The Hon T. Fkkgus moved the second reading of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill, to remedy a few defects in the Act of 1885, also to enable the Westland Charitable Aid Board to levy a rate on the Westland County Council. Motion agreed to. WEST COAST BESEBVES. Sir H. Atkinson moved the second reading of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Act, 1887, Suspension, to suspend operation of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, and for other purposes. Mr Taipua supported the Bill. Mr Hutchison opposed it at some length, and moved that it be read that day six months. Messrs Ballance, Monk, and Fish also spoke on the Bill. The motion for the second reading was agreed to by 53 to 5. BAILWAT EXTENSION. On the motion for going into Committee on the Westport-Ngakawau Railway Extension Bill, Mr Fish moved that the Bill be committed that day week, and spoke at great length against it. He urged the Government to withdraw the Bill for this session, with a view to bringing down a comprehensive measure for this and other lines next session. Mr Hutchison also strongly opposed committal of the Bill. Mr O'Conob disclaimed having any connection with the railway proposed to be constructed, except that he was the member for the district, and had always taken the greatest posaible interest in the development of the coal-fields. He strongly resented the innuendoes made against him by Messrs Hutchison and Fish in connection with the matter, and said that those members who were stonewalling thia Bill would be responsible for the monopoly that existed in the price of coal. Mr Fish's amendment was then lost on the voices. The Bill was committed, but progress was reported after passing clause one. BILLS FOBWABDED. The West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill and Land Transfer Bill passed through , Committee without amendment. The Native Land Court Acts Amendment Bill waa further considered in Committee. Clause 10, survey oharges may be apportioned at any time, Mr Taipua moved that the portion of the clause, providing that an order for survey feeß shall have the effect of a mortgage on the land, be struck out. Lost by 26 to 22, and the clause- passed. [Left sitting, at 2 a.m.]