WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3580, 13 August 1874, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[By Electric Telegraph ] (From our own Correspondent ) . August 12. The discussion on the Licensing Bill occupied five hours. On dame 25, the fee for temporary transfer was fixed at two pounds. Power was given to Provino al Councils to alter it from time to time. On clause 28, Mr Swanson’s motion to strike out ‘'theatres and music-halls ” was carried, and th clause amended so as to permit a magistrate or two members of a licensing Bench to allow the premises to be kept open for balls, &c. On clause 29, Mr Thomson’s amendment—that retail stores should not be under the same roof as licensed houses—was carried. A new sub-section in place of the seventh, giving Courts power to adjourn from time to time, and to grant leave to rejected applicants to renew their applications at the next meeting was carried. Clauses 30 to 36 were agreed to without material amendment. Clause 37, giving the Minister of Public Works power to grant railway refreshment licenses, was fiercely opposed by Mr Fox, Mr Hichardsou said he would take care the rooms were properly conducted, and disputed the accuracy, from his own personal knowledge, of Mr Fox’s statement of the state of tho° Port Chalmers rooms. The clause was carried. Mr Vogel abandoned the I8:h clause, providing for renewals to be granted as a matter of course, unless objection was made, Mr Pox said this removed his chief objection. Mr Pearca regretted its abandonment, as the clause was the best in the Bill. They qever \yould have a proper class of publicans until they gave security for th< ir tenure. r ! he proposal that clubs should be regarded as hotels, was negatived by 24 to 10; that applications to permit dancing in hotels should be heard m open Court, by 20 to 16; Mr Vogel adding vent a publican’s family having music or dancing in the house. Mr Steward’s amendment, that barmaids’.hours should be limited to from eleven in the morning to eleven at ni ht was carried by 21 to 12, and a penalty of L2O was imposed for every infraction of it. At 3.10 the Bill was reported.

August 13. A. warm discussion took place on the Immigration Loan Bill last nigbt. Mr Mtzherbert moved that the issue of short dated debentures should be limited to one million. Messrs Reeves, Gillies, and others said Mr Vogel tacitly consented to do so on a previ ous i vening, which Mr Vogel denied. Mr Wilson supported Mr Vogel, as also did Mr Wood, who said Mr R. eves was the latest adherent to the Opposition, and as, rumored, a probable Minister. The latter had hinted at the possibility of a change of Government. Mr Grliea charged the Government with arrogance, and on Mr Vogel adV'dng that he would never be succ ssful in opposition so long as he opposed things for the s ike of opposition, Mr Gillies said he would withdraw the word “ arrogance ” and substitute 4 ' impudence. ” The Bill passed. The chief fpponents of the Otago Land Bill were the Hon. Mr Campbell, Colonel Brett, the Hon. Messis Holmes, Stokes, Hart, and Miller. Mr Campbell’s amendment—that it he read that day six months—was carried on a division by 14 tofl3.—Mr Campbell protested against spiling land at 14s 10d which was worth L - The experience of Victoria showed that the deferred payment system was a disastrous system, and would inflict great hardships on Otago, there were any further tampering with the law. Colonel Brekt denounced deferred payment as a curse to the oduntry. In Canterbury farms so purchased were easily recognisable : nothing but misery and wretchedness was apparent. The limit should not exceed 45,000 acres. Mr Holmes bad been inclined to give the system a fair trial ; but years of experience and the peculiar position of the Province with respect to land, led them to the irresistible conclusion that it would be doing the Province a serious injury if the House were to extend the area. He instanced the experience of Victoria and Auckland, where the land sold on deferred payments wag not worth 50s Mr Miller regard the S3’stem as the quickest way of exhausting the value of the soil. Mr Paterson, though opposed to the system, began to think it m'ght eventually be advantageous. He and Dr l ollen decided in accordance with the wishes of the Provincial Government. Mr Waterhouse said the system was the only way of settling immigrants, and blamed the Council for confusion of the Otago Land replying, sjaid if the half-jpillion loan were refuged, the Provincial Council would have to be called together. On first taking the voices, it was thought the nogs had it. Wi Tako’s vote decided the quest on. The Council threw out the clause of the Municipal Gasworks Bill, authorising municipalities to levy rates not exceeding Is in the £ as security to money lenders. Its effect on the Dunedin Gasworks Bill will have to be considered.

Mr Vogel, in introducing the abolition of Provinces resolu ions, will speak during the whole afternoon sitting, and the debate will then be adjoun ed till Monday. The Opposition held a caucus last night, and it is said a new Government is already named. Ministerialists claim a majority of from twelve to fifteen. It is admitted they will have a majority, but it will be so small as to prevent the Bill being carried through, and a dissolution must result. Mr Beeves has gone over to the Opposition, and Mr Maeandrew also. Otago isi divided, but the bplk will vote \yith Mr Macapdrew. Mr Reynplds supports the resolutions, but Mr O’Borke oppos«s< them, and will probably retire from the Ministry. The Wellington members, with the exception of Messrs Andrew, Bryce, and Fox, will vote with Mr Fitzherbert, At. the conclusion of Mr Vogr-J’s speech, Mr Reeves will move the previous question to test the feeling of the House, and the debate will then be adjourned. The Government are anxious for delay, in order that Mr Stafford may arrive iu time to speak on Monday. My first estimate of a majority of from twelve to fifteen is pretty correct. There is great excitement here over the debate. 3.30 p.m. Mr O’Eorke has resigned. There is an adjournment for fifteen minutes, it is supposed for Ministerial consideration. Mr bas just announced that the Government has received intelligence that Mr Forbes is unable to carry out the Calilorniajv eoptraot, Whether Mr Hall can do so he could not say, but he believed arrangements might be made with the contractors for new ships to carry it on. It was not desirable to have a discussion till communmation had been exchanged with New South Wales. (From a Correspondent.) Notwithstanding the ravings of Wellington's Superintendent - and Provincial Secretary, aided by the unholy alliance of the Otago and Canterbury Superintendents, the Premier’s resolutions will be carried r by a large majority—fifteen at least,

The pastoral lords have slaughtered the Otago Waste Land Bill by a maj irity of one vote that of Wi Tako. This is too much of a good thing.