MONDAY, AUGUST 21

After 3 a.m., the hour at which our report of proceedings closed, Mr WESTON moved that progress be re ported.—Mr FISH supported the motion, and

complained that the House had no opportunity to discuss the lines proposed. He expressed surprise that the Government should take so little notice of the discussion.—The Hon. Major ATKINSON remarked that hon. members might do their duty more efficiently if there was less talking. He had been sitting in the House, and had not said much, but he had en deavored to put matters cl ear. There had been ample opportunity to discuss the proposals of the Government when the Public Works State ment was being discussed. If any hon. mem ber were dissatisfied with any line proposed he could move that it be struck out of the sche dule. If an item were struck out it would be the duty of the Government to provide for an other line, or hon. members would be in a posi tion to bring forward resolutions. But at present they were making no progress at all, and there must be something final.—Mr Stevens, Captain McKenzie, Mr Sheehan, Mr Seddon, Mr Petrie, Mr Duncan, and Mr Holmes spoke. At 4.30 Mr Hamlin was relieved from the duties of Chairman by Colonel Trimble. Mr Holmes having spoken for nearly an hour, Mr Joyce" rose to speak. The CHAIRMAN remarked that it ap peared to him that the debate had degenerated into mere drivel. He would hear the hon. member, but speakers must confine themselves more closely to the subject before the Com mittee. Mr SHEEHAN took exception to the use of the word "drivel." He did not think that it became the Chairman to apply such epithets to the utterances of the representatives of the people; nor did he think it became him to indicate what he would do with regard to the conduct of the debate. He (Mr Sheehan) did not think that the debate had taken such a course as would justify the Chairman to apply the iron hand. Mr JOYCE then spoke, being followed by Mr FISH, who asked the Government to per mit the adjournment to be made. The Hon. 