1.—6

18

Mr. W. J. M. Larnach, a member of the House, being in attendance, was examined and his evidence was taken down by tlie shorthand reporter present. The Committee resumed the consideration of the Bill intituled "The Land Act, 1877." Resolved, on motion of Sir B. Douglas, That the consideration of the schedule be postponed. Resolved, on motion of the Chairman, That the Bill intituled "The Land Act, 1877," be re-committed, in order that the motions of which notice has been given may be considered. Clause 23 read, by consent, without notice. Amendment proposed, In line 7, to omit the word " not" before the word " receive" ; and in line 9, to substitute the word " nor" for the word " or," after the word " Assembly." (Mr. Stout). Amendment agreed to. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Thomson, That the Chairman do obtain the opinion of the Speaker, in the House, as to the power of the Committee to entertain the amendment of which notice has been given by Mr. Thomson. " The Receiver of Land Revenue in each provincial district of the colony shall, assoonaspossibleafterthe endof each of the quarters ending March, June,September, andDecemberin each year, make out a return showing the lauds disposed of by sale or by deferred payments in each county or part of a county within the provincial district, and the said receiver of Land Revenue shall, within one month from the end of each of the quarters above specified, pay over to the Treasurer of the County Council ofthecounty within which such lands have been so disposed of twenty-five per cent, of the moneys arisins; from the disposal as aforesaid of lands within such county, and which have been paid over to him as Receiver of Land Revenue during the preceding quarter, such twenty-five per cent, of moneys so arising to be expended by such County Council in the construction of roads and bridges within the county : Provided that no part of the moneys so paid over to the county shall be expended in repairs or maintenance." Clause as amended agreed to. Clause 69 read, by consent, without notice. Amendment proposed, In lines 6 and 7, to omit the words, " the eighty-second and following provisions," and to insert in lieu thereof the words " sections 82 to 102 both inclusive" ; and in line 9, after the word " tenements" to insert the words " and the whole of such sections shall apply and have effect as if embodied in this Act." (Hon. Mr. Reid). Amendments agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. Clause 77, motion No. 7, read. Ameudment proposed, In line 2to substitute the word " three " for the word "five." (Mr. Sharp.) Amendment negatived. Clause agreed to. Clause 96, motion No. 1, read. Amendment proposed, After the words " less than "to omit the words " one shilling." Aud the question being put that these words stand part of the clause, it passed in the negative. Another amendment proposed, After the words ' less than ' to insert the words .' eightpence ' (Mr. Rolleston.) And the question being put that these words be inserted, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows :— Ayes, 6. Noes, 8. Mr. Beethiim, Mr. Ballance, Mr. Harper, Mr. Bastings, Mr. Pyke, Sir R. Douglas, Mr. Rolleston, Mr. Lumsden, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Lusk, Mr. Teschemaker. Hon. D. Reid, Mr. Stout, Mr. Thomson. So it passed in the negative. Another amendment proposed, After the words " less than "to insert the words " ninepence." (Mr. Harper.) And the question being put that these words be inserted, the Committee divided, and the name* were taken down as follows :— Ayes, 9. Noes, 5. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Bastings, Mr. Beetham, Mr. Lumsden, Sir R. Douglas. Hon. D. Reid, Mr. Harper, Mr. Stout, Mr. Lusk, Mr. Thomson. Mr. Pyke, Mr. Rolleston, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Teschemaker. So it passed in the affirmative. Amendment agreed to. Another amendment proposed, After the words " more than," to substitute the words V two shillings" for the words " one shilling and sixpence." (Mr. Sharp). Amendment agreed to. Another amendment proposed, To substitute the words " ten shillings " for the words " seven shillings and sixpence," and the word " four " for the word " five." (Hon. Mr. Reid.)