PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2729, 15 November 1871, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, November 14. The Legislative Council have passed the Immigration and Public Works Bill, but with important amendments. They strike out clauses from 19 to 45 and all clauses iillative to water supply to the Goldfields. This last is unimportant, as action can be taken under the Act of 1870. They have also introduced a clause providing for a Board of Advice, This will not he agreed to by the House, hut the other amendments under the circumstances will probably be sanctioned. The Railway Bill passed the Council without material amendment. [The portion of the Immigration and Public Works Bill struck out by the Legislative Council comprises the whole of the 3rd, 4th, and stb, and a portion of the 6th parts which proposed that the provisions of the Act should apply to tramways ; that a portion of the Nelson share of the,. Middle Island Railway Fund should be spent on roads on the Nelson South West Goldfields. That in auy year the expenditure on roads in the Westland Goldfields, the share for the following year might be anticipated, and also in the Nelson South-West Goldfields. Railways to be divided into three classes. 1. Main Railways. 2. Coal Field Railways, 3. Branch Railways, . Provisions regarding Mam Railways;—!. Before commencement to be determined whether cost to be charged against the Provincial Land Fund, or against the land set apart for the purpose. 2. The cost of railways commenced before passing the Act to be charged against the Land Fund. No charge to he made until the line was finished ; the expenditure to he capitalised, aud the annual charge fixed by the Board. The annual charge to be paid by monthly instalments. . Coalfield Railways.—Tho Board to recommend construction on full and satisfactory information being given as to the public advantage derivable, and on security being 2iveu°to recoup the cost. The recommendations to be laid before the Assembly, and if sanciioned, contracts to be' entered into Majesty’s name, and the amount of the annual charge to he fixed by the Board. Branch Railways.-The inhabitants of a district might apply to have it declared a district contiguos to a Maui Railway, and if the application be granted, the Board is to state the terms as to the local charge, If dq counter memorial signed by a majority is presented within thirty days, the construction of the railway may be ordered, the Board may fix the annual charges lor construction. and maintenance, and at the end of each year fix the amount of rate to be levied The remaining clauses define the nature of rateable property, and the mode of levying and collecting the rates.] Wellington, Nov. 15,1.10 p.m. Mr Vogel has just stated, in an able speech, his reasons for disagreeing with the Legislative Council’s amendment to the Public Works and Immigration Bills. Ho spoke strongly as to the striking out of branch railways, The rating power, and goldfields water supply clauses. The prorogation stands indefinitely postponed. A free conference between the two Houses upon the Public Works Bill has been appointed, and is now (3.7 p.m) sitting. The managers are Messrs Vogel, Gisborne, aud Donald M'Lean, for the House ; Colonel Whitmore, Messrs Sewell and Holmes, for the Council. Both Houses have adjourned until 5 p.m.