Thursday, Oct. 20, The Speaker took the chair at 5 o’clock. REPORTS OT COMMITTEES. Mr Birch brought un the report of the committee appointed to consider the petition presented by Mr John Bowmaker, concerning the Eaiapoi swing bridge. The report was read. The committee did not consider that Mr Bowmaker had any claim for an extension of the lease on the ground of his having signed the 'agreement hurriedly. Mr Parker brought up the report of the committee on main roads. The report was read. The Hon. J. Hall asked for an extension of ten days for bringing up the report of the committee on New Industries. The extension was granted. Mr Tosswill brought up the report of the Select Committee on the Road Board Ordi nance, suggesting that all chairmen of Boad Boards should communicate with the Govern ment, suggesting whatever amendments they considered necessary, in order that a new Ordinance might be brought in. SOUTHERN DISTRICT. Mr Kennawat asked the Provincial Secretary whether the Government intend to propose, for the consideration of the Council, any reduction of the amount charged to the district south of the Bangitata on account of the Loan Charges. Also, whether they in tend to propose an apportionment of the Released Sinking Fund, other than that which is set forth on the Estimates now be fore the House ; and, if so, of what nature ? Mr Jollie replied that it was not the in tention of the Government materially to alter anything that had been stated in the financial statement. Mr Kennawat : Do I understand the Government to mean that they will make no reduction in £14,000 ? Mr Jollie : Yes. Mr Kennawat then put the second part of his question, to which Mr- Jollie replied in the negative. Mr Kennawat then moved—“ That the Estimates now before the House, especially where dealing with the apportionment of the revenue and expenditure on account of the district south of the Bangitata, are framed in a manner which bears unfairly on the interests of that district, and are there fore unsatisfactory to the Council.” The hon. member said that a glance at the Esti mates as brought down would shew that the district south of the Ban gitata would be unfairly dealt with if these Kstimates were allowed to pass. 