HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 9456, 21 July 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Aiterxoox Sitting. The House met at 2.30 o'clock.— Mr Macandrew gave notice that he would move for the appointment of a Committee to consider the best means for establishing direct steam communication with England. — Replying to questions, it was stated that the power of inflicting a penalty equul to 100 per cent, on the rent due in the event of a tenant of Crown lands in the Nelson district not paying his rent when due, was conferred upon Government by law. Government would, however, look into the matter, with the view of providing some relief in the circumstances. The law as it stood was sufficient to prevent the public health being endangered by impure milk supplied to customers. The Boards of Health had power to inspect and cleanse dairies, and take what action might otherwise seem necessary to protect the public. Government had undertaken to subscribe £200 towards the erection of a flour mill for the Ngatipakeko tribe, at Whakatane, and the money would bo paid upon the work going on. It was not proposed to bring in a Bill this session, to legalise marriage with a deceased husband's brother. Government would make inquiries as to the necessity for introducing a Bill for the extension and operation of the laws relating to gold field s over the various water-race reserves . Government would ascertain what could bo done in the way of instructing ithe manager of the "Waiinea water-iace that for the future all European and American miners who were residents of Waimea and Stafford mining districts previous to the construction of the Waimea water-race shall have first right to the water from such race. At present the impression was that one has as much right as another to the water so long as they were ready to pay for it. It would depend on circumstances when the despatch from the Governor on Native Affairs could be safely made public.