VICTORIA. (FROM THE ARGUS OF 2ND AUGUST.)

Evening Post, Issue 165, 18 August 1865, Page 2

VICTORIA. (FROM THE ARGUS OF 2ND AUGUST.)

The proposition of the Legislative Council, for a conference between the two Houses of Parliament on the subject of the Water Works Bill, was discussed by the Legislative Assembly last evening. The Minister of MiDes proposed a resolution appointing a committee "to confer with the committee of the Legislative Council upon the respective rights of the two Houses as to money bills : and upon such other matters as are in dispute between the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly with regard to the Water Works Bill." An animated debate lollowed. It was contended by several hon. members that this resolution would go beyond the scope of the Council's invitation, and lead to the consideration of the rights of the Assembly to tack the Tariff to the Appropriation Bill, if not to an interference with the position which the Assembly had taken upon that question. Ultimately Mr. Snodgrass proposed an amendment limiting the functions of the committee to the matters in dispute with regard to the Waterworks bill.'» The Government intimated their readiness to accept the amendment, and at the same time their determination to adhere to the resolutions aa to the rights of the House passed last week. The amendment Was then carried, and the House ordered the fact to be communicated to the Legislative Council, with a suggestion that the conference should take place on Wednesday next. The members appointed to represent the Assembly at the conference are— Mi, Michie, Mr. Higinbotham, Mr. Bindah»

Mr. Macgregor, Mr. Berry and Mr. Sullivan. Both Houses of Parliament, adjourned imtil Tuesday, the Bth August. There are filty-five newspapers in the colony which pay attention to politics. Of these, thirty-seven, embracing all the hest, are before us. On looking through their columns, Ye find that no fewer than twenty-five of them support the Legislative Council in the present crisis of affairs, and only twelve take the part of the Assembly. In the list of the twelve which support the Government, there are only three or four of any reputation, even in the localities in which they are published. Yesterday was a day extraordinary for the members of the Civil Nervice, who, from " practice and usage," naturally associate the commencement of the month with the payment of salary. The customary circulation of cheques necessary to secure each officer's allowance was suspended, and in consequence the inquiry, " llow long is the crisis to last?" was frequently heard. We are given to understand that the moneys in the Treasury '• legally available" for " salaries, wages, and contingences," will be applied to the payment of men employed on duily wages during the month, and that this will leave a small balance for the satisfaction of pressing claims.