PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 347, 14 November 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

&-0 On Tuesday, pfov. 11, the House met at 2.30 p.m. * The Hon. J. Hall announced that in the event of the business before the House progressing satisfactorily, the Treasurer would be prepared to bring down his Financial. Statement on Monday.

Replying to questions, it was stated that Government would consider,the propriety' of rendering the services of the Public Analyst more > practically useful than at present. The Pullman railway cars, lately imported from America, could not pass through the tunnels on the ChristchurchInvercargill line. The oars could be altered, but the expense would be very great. The Government agent at New York was responsible for the blunder. He had had sections of the tunnels sent,Jbut disregarded them. Government "was not prepared to say whether or not he would be held personally responsible. A sum of money would be proposed in the estimates for the construction of loads through, and opening up Crown lands in the districts in which the Counties have not sufficient funds. The 1 report forwarded to the Conuiissioner of Railways re Bay of Islands arid .other Native coal had been given-effect to. ■ The coal was largely used, and with a view of encouraging its usej Governmerithad offered a bonus to liremen for itsi efficient employ-:,, ment. Government would bring down a Bilkdealing with the establishment of saiall farrh settlements on thedeferredVpayrhenfc system by -settlers, to whoni employmentbe_dfforded u-pßii works. ••.A.'report had beefi^received an engineer .employed by tfeeXßarigitjkel County ;■Council,, ,, recommending a 1 gox><|'i practicable route for a railway from Marion' or Rangitkei by the' Muriniotii plains to Taupo - , {■-,! I Bills were introduced and- read aVfirsl time—To. amend the Otago I] diversity/Site Exchange Act, 1875 (Mi , Mac'aiidf Band Tax Collection (Major $tkinsßn), ":syuuiara Educational Reserve, r (Ho'h, R. Oliver)'. The Qualification '-'of Eleeiors-' -BilLwAst

further considered- in Committee; ""

An amendment to gi.ye ~the residential franchise to females Was 'negatived by 37 to 29. L ;; J, ;.,.- :. ■• - »

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment.~. q ••,,'.-1 a~ c? At the l the Qiifrlificatibii of Electors Bill was further considered in (JonAiiittee

Amendments werp moved by Mr Seddon and Mr Murray, re! the'; Maori qualif action,

Mr Moss moved as a further amenbinent on the same clause, "That aboriginals, including half-castes, and the male descendants of half-castes shall net acquire any new rights under this Act, nor shall they be deprived of any tights they had at the beginning of the present session of Parliament." Government had said that they did not intend to deprive the Native race of any rights they enjoyed at present, and he thought this the simplest way of exepressing their meaning.

Mr Seddon's amemdment was withdrawn, and the others were being discussed at 10.30 p.m.

On Wednesday afternoon —- The lion J. Hall said Government would be prepared to bring down this session a Bill for the purpose of settling the amount of honorarium to be paid to members of the Legislature, a resolution to this effect having been carried by the House.

Mr Montgomery asked if a sum of money will be placed on the Estimates for the erection of new Post and Telegraph Offices at Akaroa, in accordance with the petition of residents of that place,-dated Sept. 14? Mr Hall replied that the late Government had proposed spending a sum of £600 for that purpose. The present Government could not undertake to be so liGeral, but provision would be made.

Replying to Mr Bain, Mr Hall said that while Government recognised the importance of the question,he was afraid they would not be able to bring down this session a Bill to suppress indecent performances in theatres and other places of public amusement.

At the evening sitting the business transacted was unimportant.