PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2713, 27 October 1871, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(from our own correspondent.) Wellington, October 27. The debate on the Brogden contract was resumed last night. Mr Shepherd’s amendment was lost on the voices, being supported only by himself. Mr Reynolds then moved tbe following addition to Mr Vogel’s resolution “ And further recommends the Government to negotiate with the Messrs Brogden for a modification and extension of No. 2 contract to the following effect Messrs Brogden to be offered the construction of all railways authorised by the Assembly, and such as may bo agreed to, to the amount of L 10,000,000, at prices within the limits fixed by tbe Legislature, Messrs Brogden to state the price at which they are willing to construct each railway—tbe Government being at liberty to refuse or accept. Payment to bo made in debentures bearing 51 per cent, interest, or in cash at the option of the Government. In the event of the Government and the Messrs Brogden not being able to agree as to the construction of the railways, the Government or Messrs Brogdeu, on notice being given by either party, shall be bound to carry out No. 2 contract.” Theie was a long debate. Messrs Stafford, Wood, Gillies, and Creighton supported the amendment, which was opposed by Mr Kollestou. The resolution, as amended, was carried by 45 to 15. The Otago members voted as follows : —Ayes : Bathgate, poll, Cantrell, Haughton, Macandrew, M'Glaahan, Reynolds, Steward, Tairoa, Webster. Noes : Bradshaw, Brown, Calder, Reid, Shepherd, Thomson. In the Legislative Council the Oamaru D. ck Trust Bill was thrown out on its second reading by 13 to 8. The Otago members voted Ayes, Miller, McLean—Noes, Buchanan, Nurse, Paterson, and Fraser. Mr Holmes declined to vote.

In Committee upon the Highway Boards Bill tho Council struck out authority to the Boards to borrow and sub-sections, in clause 5. The Committee on Chinese Immigration report that it is not desirable to legislate at present for the exclusion or special taxation of the Chinese. Mr Haughteu protested against this. [The subsections referred to as struck out,

include as rateable property, Waste Lands of the Crown sold or contracted for, leased, or occupied under license, Native Lands held under certificate of title if occupied by any other than an aboriginal; lands on which the native title has not guished if fenced or under cultivation.]— Ed. B.S.