HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 9450, 13 July 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES.

Afternoon Sitting. The House met at 2.30 p.m. MiMcDonald gave notice that he would move, That the functions of Waste Land Boards be vested in County Councils. Mr Bain gave notice that he would ask if Government intended resuming the nominated immigration system. Mr Andrews gave notice of motion in favour of the next session of Parliament being held in Christchurch. Replying to questions put, Mr Hall stated that it would be detrimental to the public interest to at present produce a certain despatch from the Governor to the Imperial Government in reference to the detention of the Maori prisoners. Steps had been taken to dispose of the Otaria Block, a portion on the deferred payment system at 30s upset price, and the remainder for cash payments, but the land could not be opened for sale for three months. Government intended to equalize the salaries of gaol officials throughout the colony. In the present state of the case Government considered it would be unwise to reduce the price of rural lauds on the West Coast as recommended by the Land Board of Westland, or otherwise unduly stimulate the disposal of lands in a possibly auriferous country. Government had not paid the whole of the cost of the Wellington Hospital, and, with rogard to the expense of maintenance, it had been placed on the same footing as most of the other hospitals in the colony since the suspension of the subsidies. Although not prepared to give a definite answer, Government had no doubt that satisfactory arrangements would be made authorising railway guards on the Nelson railway lino to issue passenger tickets available for the whole of the intended journey. The Moeraki bush reserves had been granted to certain half-castes in virtue of the Middle Island Half-caste Land Grants. So far as Government was aware the claims of census ennumcrators in the Waikato County had been paid. The following Bills were introduced and read the first time :—Reduction of Miners Rights Charges ; To Amend the Education Act, 1877 (Pyke) ; For the Establishment and Management of a High School at Rangiora (Bjwen) ; For the Establishment and Management of a High School at Akaroa (Montgomery); To Extend the Franchise to Women (Wallis) ; Armed Constabulary Act 1867 Amendment (Do Lautour) ; Gisborne Harbour Board (McDonald) ; Waimakarhi Harbour Loan (Bowen). The Licensing Bill was recommitted for consideration of clauses 12, 22 +o 28 inclusive, and 30, 31, 32, 37, 54, 81, 122, 126, 137, 140, 141, 194, and 218. On clause 12 the amendment to make the election of Licensing Committees triennial instead of annual, was rejected by 39 to 34. The clause was then amended to make the cost of elections chargable to the district. Clause 28, preventing any licensee having an interest in more than one license, was amended so as not to apply to firms, on a division of 46 to 20, and was then struck out altogether. On clause 29 j Mr Russell moved the omission of the Club license. This was lost on a division of 37 to 18. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. Evening Sitting. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Progress was reported on the Licensing Bill. Major Atkinson moved the second reading of the Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill, and in doing so took occasion to make the promised Statement of his views on Local Government. [The Statement will be found in another column.] The Licensing Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 29 : Mr Pitt's motion to reinstate the bottle license was rejected, on a division, by 38 to 30. Mr Olliver's motion, to strike out the Now Zealand wine license, was lost by 33 to 32. Mr Stewart's motion to insert a new subsection for a bottle license in such districts as they at present exist in, was carried by 36 to 35.