HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY'S SITTING.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1241, 12 June 1880, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY'S SITTING.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] > Wellington, Last Night. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replies to Questions. Replying to questions it was stated that Woodwa d, Public Trustee, had practically ceased being in Government employ siuce Ist May" He had the right to subscribe his name as manager of a Tiust Company. At the request of the Government he was temporarily carrying on the duties of Public Trustee, but without salary. The San Francisco mail contract terminates in 1883, and could not be terminated sooner unless a breach of agreement occurred. No officer in the employment of Government acted, or received permission to act, as correspondent for Press Association or any newspaper. Sir John Coode's report on the Buller Harbor Avas not expected for three months. Major Atkinson stated that new and simpler forms of Property Tax Schedules would be issued, and time for sending them in would be extended. The X airway department collected freights for the Union Shipping Company at Dunedin and Canterbury to convenience the public, and no commission was paid for collection. Crombies' Pioperty Tax Pamphlet was a private speculation. Government was not interested in either it's cost or profit. Leading lights for steamers at Tory Channel would be erected shortly. One hundred and thirty West Coast natives have been detained in prison waiting trial for eleven months 5 one died during incarceration; their maintanance cost per week £75. t \ I j j I , I I

New Bills. The Evidence Amendment Bill was introduced by Mr Stewart, and read a first time. The Hon. Mr Dick moved the second reading of the Pharmacy Bill, and, after some debate, replying to objections made, said the Government would not object to amendment enabling women to be candidates, and the Saturday examinations so arranged would take place throughout the different parts of the Colony. The motion was carried. The Hon. Mr Hall moved the second reading of the Electisn Petitions Bill, and explained its clauses, stating that it was identical with the Bill before Parliament last session. Dr Wallis denounced the Bill as unconatitutional, and calculated to impose serious hardships upon members. Mr Tole suggested that questions of facts should be left for the determination of juries, and that on questions of law appeals should be reserved from the Judge to the Court of Appeal. Mr Tnrnbull complained that the Bill did not define what " comrpt jmvotiues" and " bribery " were. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment, The House resumed at 7.30. The Election Petitions Bill was read a second time. The Hon. Mr Hall moved the second reading of the Corrupt Practices Bill. Dr Wallis objected to the Bill, as not sufficiently precise in it-> definition. Sir W. Fox agreed with Dr Wallis, and urged the prohibition of the employment of cabs and the shutting of public-houses on election days, so as to reduce the cost of election to a minimum. Mr Speight advocated the closing of public-houses. Mr Moss thought canvassers and clerks to committees should be allowed. Mr Montgomery approved of the clos« ing of hotels, and opposed legalising the hire of cabs. Mr Hur&thouse supported the Bill as> it stood. Mr Seddon agreed with the Bill as it stood, and objected to all extremes. The debate is proceeding (12.10 a.m.).