PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 810, 26 October 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

(Condensed 'from our Exchanges.) All correspondents agree in saying 'that *ll business is going rapidly through the House, but that the manner in which a number of the measures of the late Government, amongst otheis the Constabulary Bill, are being discharged one after the other is anything but pleasing to them or their supporters. The Ministry appear determined to bring the ■session to a close as quickly as possible.—On the 18th instant there was a smart discussion in committee on the Imprest Supplies Bill, and Sir George Greyvery deafly showed his intention not to I e easily ousted, while the other si le showed a decided inclination to attempt it.—ln the Council, Colonel Whi'more took his seat as Colonial Secretary.—There is considerable excitement over the Maekay case, and the petition for his re'ease contained nearly 1000 { signatures. It will probably he acceded to. —An address to the Government for 1.500 to pay the legal expenses of Messrs Stephen Bead and ■others in defending their gold, mining rights, as recommended hy the Goldfields Committee, was also agreed to.The Local Option Bill was postponed to Wednesday next, when Mr Fox slated he would tako the decision of the Committee re Mr Rallanue’s compensation 'clauses, which, if carried, he would abandon the Pill. —The Strathtaieri and Clyde Railway Bill was read a second time. - In reply to Mr Woolcock, Sir George Grey said the Government had no intension during the present session to create a Minister of Mines. —The Minister of Justice announced in the House that his Excellency would he forthwith advised to order Mr Mack,ay's re'ease. —On the 22nd the leading members of the Opposition invited those who voted with them on Mr Larnach’s “no confidence - ’, rtiotjnn, to a meeting which was held to-dav ! -Thirty-three were present, and eight of the party sent reasons for their nna v o!dah'p absence. Major Atkinson was unanimously elected leader, and the course of action to ha adopted was left in his hands. It was agreed that no undue pressure should he brought to hear outlie Government to in dnee them to bring down the Financi 1 St itement, but that all reasonable time o afforded. None of thn “ Middle” party were invited, but it is said some e - ' lit or ton will vote with tho present Opposition. —The Financial Statement cannot bn ma 'e till next wck, Ministers finding great difficulty in getting reliable information from -the Treasury. Th' details of tlm September quarter are still incomplete end it is almost impossible to get. to the bottom of some matters. Tho Secretary of the Treasury has been hours before the (’abinnt, subjected to a vigorous cross-examination.