1.—6

10

Mr. Curtis in the Chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Committee resumed the consideration of the Bill intituled " The Lands Act, 1877." Mr. Stout moved, and the question was proposed, That clause 96 be forthwith recommitted in order that, instead of the words "one shilling and sixpence" the words "two shillings" be inserted;: and for the words " seven shillings and sixpence " the words " ten shillings " be inserted. And the question being put the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows :— Ayes, 4 Noes, 9. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Bastings, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Beetham, Mr. Stout, Sir E. Douglas, Mr. Thomson. Mr. Harper, Mr. Lumsden, Mr. Pyke, Hon. D. Eeid, Mr. Eolleston, Mi. Teschemaker. So it passed in the negative. Clause 97 read. Amendment proposed, In line 4 after the word " district" to insert the words, "and shall within the maximum and minimum hereinbefore prescribed according to the quality of the run, decide the rate to be paid on the stock to be depastured thereon." (Hon. Mr. Eeid.) Amendment agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. Clause 98 read. Amendment proposed, In line 2 after the word " smaller" omit the word " quantity," and in same line after the word " the " omit the word " quantity," and insert in lieu thereof the word " number." (Hon. Mr. Eeid.) Amendments agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. Clause 99 read. Amendment proposed, In line 3 after the word " such" omit the word "decision," and in line 4 after the word " such" omit the word " decision," and insert in lieu thereof the word " determination." (Mr. Stout.) Amendments agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. Clauses 100 to 102 read and agreed to. Clause 103 read. Amendment proposed, in line 1 before the word " such, " to add the words " subject to the provisions of section 96." (Hon. Mr. Eeid). Amendment agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. Clauses 104 and 105 read and agreed to. Clause 106 read. Amendment proposed, in line 4, after the word " within " omit the word " twelve" and insert the word " six." (Hon. Mr. Eeid.) And the question being put, That the word "twelve" stand part of the clause, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows: — Ayes, 5. Noes, 9. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Bastings, Mr. Lumsden, Mr. Beetham, Mr. Lusk, Sir E. Douglas, Mr. Stout, Mr. Harper, Mr. Thomson. Mr. Pyke, Hon. Mr. Eeid, Mr. Eolleston, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Teschemaker. So it passed in the negative. Another amendment proposed, To substitute the|word " nine " for the word " six " in the amendment. (Mr. Stout.) And the question being put, that the word " nine " be inserted, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows:— Ayes, 3. Noes, 11. Mr. Lusk, Mr. Ballance, Mr. Stout, Mr. Bastings, Mr. Thomson. Mr. Beetham, Sir E. Douglas, Mr. Harper, « Mr. Lumsden, Mr. Pyke, Hon. Mr. Eeid, Mr. Eolleston, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Teschemaker. So it passed in the negative. And the question being put, That the word "six" be inserted, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows :—