HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 3804, 27 July 1880, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MONDAY AFTERNOON.

The House met at 2.30. Mr Barron gave notice that he would ask whether the Government intended to reserve Crown lands in accordance with sections 350 and 351 of the Municipal Corporations Act 1876, for more adequate endowment of Borjoughs unfairly treated in that respect. — Mr Reeves presented a petition from brewers in Christchurch against the imposition of tax on beer. — Mr Ballance presented a similar petition from brewers in Wanganui. — Mr Thomson gave notice that he would' ask the Government as to when it was proposed to bring the session to a close, and what Bills it was proposed to press before the proro* gation, — Mr Seddon gave notice of motion affirming the desirability of a Commission being appointed to enquire into the admin* istration 'of goldfields and laws relating thereto. — The motion was put and carried, — Hon Mr Hall moved that for the remainder of the session Government business take precedence on Wednesdays. The estimates, he expected, would be completed on. Wednesday, and the Public Works Statement would be brought down early next week. They would get through certain Bills of political and social importance, and bring the session to a close about the end of August.— Mr Murray hoped they would not be asked to pas 3 the Public Works Estimates until the Public Works Statement was before them. — Mr Macandrew moved as an amendment that after the orders of the day on Wednesday, Government business take precedence for the remainder of the session. — Hon Mr Hall said this would inrolve aj long and unnecessary debate on the motion set down for that day, " that the names of Grey and Hamlin be expunged from the Native Affairs Committee, and he could not consent to the amendment. — Sir Geo. Grey denied that the motion would entail loss of time. He hoped an opportunity would be afforded him for relieving himself from the discharge of a session duty he could not fulfil with justice to himself. — The House divided on the amendment. Ayes 28, noes 37, and the original motion carried. Treasury Bills passed through Committee and was read a third time and passed. — On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr McDonald moved that a talc of Is per bushel be imposed on maize imported into the Colony. — Motion withdrawn on the recommendation of Major Atkinson that the matter be remitted to the Committee on agriculture. — Sir George Grey referred to the Patetere transaction, and after reviewIng it stated that the proposed sale was a most illegal act, and that he would move for a Committee to inquire into all the facts of the case. — Hon Mr Bryce denied that the proposed sale was irregular, and stated he would 'give every assistance to have the matter inquired into by the Select Committee. — Mr Sheehan also defended the sale, stating that it was for the good of the Auckland district that the land should be opened up. The Maoris would make best out of the transaction, as the purchasers would not make more .than 5 per cent upon their money. — The motion for going into Committee was car-| ried. — Vote, Legislative Department, item. Librarian £300, was passed, and the House adjourned at 5.30. .