PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 4173, 12 July 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

[Br Telegraph.] (From our Special Correspondent .)

■Welltkoton, July 12. Tu the House of Representatives yesterday after, noon,

When asking his questions rc lighthouses for the Snares and Cape Saunders, Mr Burns suggested the necessity for the immediate revision of the ‘ New Zealand Pilot,’ and that the present light at the Heads should be removed to Capo Saunders, being replaced by a third order of light. In replying, Sir D. M’Leau said a light on the Snares more immediately interested Australia and Great Britain. At the present time the Imperial Government held out little encouragement of rendering assistance. The Australian Goverumen'-s have been communicated with to see if they proposed to take the matter up on the terms of the conference of 1873, and when replies were received it would be lime enough for tins Government to consider whether or not this Colony should take it up. So much was in liaud already that nothing could bo done this year. From the report of the marine engineer and Captain Johnson, who visited the Snares very lately, it was doubtful if tbe light would be of the service expected. The Government had no reason to doubt the correctness of the survey by Captain Drury, and if a steamer were - going that way they would take steps to see whether it was. As to the ‘ Pilot,’ the Government admitted the necessity of having a revised edition. He noticed that the Dunedin Harbor Board was doing so. That was not the usual course. That body should have made a i epreseutation to the Customs Department, which had already communicated with the Board of Navigation and Trade with a view ®f obtaining their sanction to an improved edition of the ‘ Pil t.’ The department would take in baud the construction of a light on Cape Saunders, and would take into consideration the desirability of placing a light on Taiaroa Heads. Sir Julius Yoi;el replied to Mr De Lautour re goldfields revenue that the items of revenue included in ordinary revenue were defined under the Abolition of Provinces Act of last year (clause 15). The exemptions were therein stated, and the ordinary revenue would not include agricultural leases. With regard to the second part of the question the Government did not purpose to create any local bodies other than counties, which were the bodies referred to, to which they proposed to hand over the goldfields revenue. They hoped the couut.cs would be so fixed as to boundaries and size as to give the mining interest within them fair representation and rights. Among the petitions presented were one from John Adams and 1,760 others in Dunedin praying the House to pass the Local Option Bill (Mr Stout); from 146 residents at Switzers praying that a courthouse be erected at Waikaia (Mr Bastings); from , 156 laud and householders, who are of opinion that the Peninsula Railway should go through the heart of the district, and prayed the House to prevent the line from being constructed in the way proposed by the company on the grounds set forth, and especially on the ground that if constructed as proposed the line will not be a. benefit to the public but will only enhance tbe value of the properties of a few settlers (Mr Thomson); from Captain Henderson, praying for an inquiry into the circumstances of his application for run 200, Olago (Mr Stout); from Mr Millar and other officebearers of the Presbyterian Church, asking that clauses 3 and 4 of the Presbyterian Church Bill should be omitted (Mr Stout). Two petitions asking the House to pass tha South Dunedin Valuation Bill were also presented by Mr Stout. On Mr Stout moving that this Bill should be committed to-morrow, Mr Reynolds hoped it would not be pressed on, as he was aware that letters and petitions against the Bill were coming up. Mr Macnndrew said, as the only question at issue was referred to arbitration, tbe matter should not be deferred.

Mr Stout was surprised at the action of the member for Port Chalmers, at whose request the Bill was originally deferred for ten days, who had consuited upon the constitution of the committee, and when out-voted iu committee came to the House with telegrams, ans-. declared that more letters were coming up. The committal of the Bill to-morrow was ordered. The House then went into committee on the regulation of Local Elections Bill. On clause 3 Sir J. Vogel moved the addition of the following words after the word “or” in the thirty-eighth line: —“ on the request of the local hody.” Mr Stout pointed out that the whole aim of the measures introduced by the Government, viz, uniformity, was defeated by the amendment, and the Bill would become so much waste paper. Sir J, Vogel said it was never intended to make it compulsory, the intention being that the Governor should only bring the Bill into operation at the request of the local body. On clause 8, Mr Manders moved the omission of the words “ no member of the local Board shall act as returning officer, pointing cut that at present members of Councils and Boards acted os such with advantage. The amendment was negatived on the voices. On clause 9, Mr Stout suggested that it should he made impel ativo on the clerk of a local body to give notice to the returning officer of the dates of ordinary elections. Sir J. Vogel said the Government would consider the suggestion, and if they thought it desirable he would introduce a clause when the Bill was recommitted. In c’ause 14 the words “and one of the electors who signed the paper nominating him ” iu line 29 wero struck out. Mr Whitaker also moved the substitution of “ on any day for not later, than two days,” which was negatived. On clause 15 Mr Burns moved the extension of the polling hours from 6 to 8 p.m. Mr Lusk thought the provision unwieldy, and that it should bo left to the local bodies themselves to fix the hours of polling. He moved accordingly, and that the local bodies should give to the Returning Officer two clear days’ notice of the time so fixed.

Mr Wason suggested that there should be added to the member for Franklin’s amendment, “ That the poll shad not be kept open less than six hours.” As a compromise Sir J. Vogel suggested that the hours should be from 10 a.m. to H p.m. Sir R. Douglas suggested that the returning officer should fix the hours.

Mr De Lautour characterised the proposed extension to So’clock as encouraging riot and drinking. Mr Wakefield followed suit, saying it would turn many country towns into pandemoniums. Mr Stout hoped the Government would press Sir J. Vogel’s suggested amended, and gave notice that he would move a clause prohibiting the sal-of intoxicants within a quarter of a mile of a polliugbooth on election days, as was the custom in America.

Mr Montgomery suggested that, as people might not make the best use of their time after the closing of the poll, the poll should not bo declared until the following day. Mr Lusk Withdrew his amendment in favor o? one by Mr Whitaker, that the poll should be taken during nine hours, and at such hour's as the local bodies may fix on. At least ten days’notice shall bo given, and, if the local bodies do not give such norite, the hours shall be from 9 a.m. to (j p.m. Ou a division, the amendment was negatived by 4ii to 26. W? Swanson moved that ten should besuhsiitritrd for iiiut. t'douk, widen was negative l : by -if to 26. The fifteen who voted for tho closing of publicbouses on election nays wore Messrs Burns,

Baigent, J. C Brown, t)e Lautour, Lusk, Hamlin, Murray, Thomson, Stout, Shrimski, Douglas, Wakefield, Woolcock, Eowo, and Macfarlane.

(Per Press Agency.)

The Housfe resumed at 7.80, taking up the debate on the Regulation of Local Elections Bill. A long discussion ensued on a number of the clauses, especially with reference to the form of voting, such as the Initialling and: numbering of voting papers by the returning officer. It was objected that such a practice destroyed the principle of secret voting, and that electors might ds well vote openly at once. Eventually the clause was carried as printed, and all the clauses from 27 to 33 were carried without material alteration.

Mr Stout objected to the sale of spiritoua liquors during elections, especially in thcvicinity of polling booths.

The Premier opposed the change, alleging that it ■would only encourage the illicit sale of liquor, and that the question of total abstinence should be dismissed on its own merits on a future occasion. Tn© new clause moved by Mr Stout was rejected by a large majority. ■ An additional clause, moved by Mr Whitaker, which prevent d the superior Court shutting out the jurisdiction of the E.M. Court, was carried. The Bill was reported and amendments ordered to be considered on Thursday. Sir George Grey then moved that a resolution of the House, to the effect that he should ou Tuesday make his election as to which district he should sit for should be rescinded. This led to a long discussion. Sir G. Grey quoted the practice of the House of Commons, and asked for a week's delay to enable Liul to make up his mind as to which constituency he would represent. Along discussion ensued, some supporting and others oppos : ng the application. It was at length decided Dy the Speaker' that Sir G. Grey should make his election on Friday as to whether he would .sit for the Thames or for Auckland City West. The House adjourned at 1 a.m, ABOUT THE LOBBIES. (From ovr Special Correspondent.) Mr Thomson has a string of questions on the Order Paper. He wants to know (1) the expense the Premier put the Colony to when in England for telegrams; (2) whether the unguaranteed bonds, or any portion thereof, have been hypothecated, and, if so, to what extent is the amount advanced on their security, aud by whom advanced; (3) whether any portion of the guaranteed debentures have been sold, to what extent, and the price realised.

The Government have finally decided to allow only one vote in elections for mayors and county chairmen; plurality of votes will be allowed in elections of county councillors. The qualification of electors under the new order of things is to he dealt with in a separate measure. In municipal elections no vote can be exercised until rates a e paid up. Eoad districts are left in the same position as at present until the House deals therewith, which the Government does not propose to do this seanon.

In answer to Mr Bastings, Sir J. Vogel said it was not intended to force county rates upon counties. With the proposed subsidy of L2 to LI, half of which would go the county and half to the Bead Boards in the county, it was very possible some count ies would not have occasion to strike a county rate.

The Government promised to consider Mr Lusk’s proposition to allow proxy voting, and they will announce their decision when the Bill is re-com-mitted.

It is understood that Sir George Grey’s refusal to elect last night which seat he will occupy has not so much to do with ai, desire to follow precedents as to bring negotiations now afoot for replacing him in Auckland City West to a successful issue'. Mr Bees, who went up on Monday, is to look after the matter. Mr Bowe, in speaking on the question last night, said Sir George Grey practically refused to attend to Thames matters.

This Sir George strongly denied, accusing his colleague of making a most nngentlemauly attack. Sir J. Vogel was anxious to ge to a division on Sir G. Grey’s resolution, but yielded to the Defence Minister’s request not to call for one. Prom what is known it is pretty certain that Sir George Grey will, as already telegraphed, sit for the Thames. A caucus of Canterbury members was attended by all the members of that Province save the Ministers. The meeting appointed delegates to confer with the members of Otago, or any other Province, rc the present position. This is the movement referred to the other day, having for its'object financial separation. It originated with Canterbury.

The East Coast Elections Committee held two sittings this morning, and examined two witnesses. Specific acts of bribery and general treating were proved, but nothing to connect the sitting member, Captain Eeid, or his agents therewith, was x>roved. It is most probable that a fresh election will be ordered.

(Per Press Agency.)

It ia understood that an arrangement has been i come to between Sir George Grey and the Premier 1 that the debate upon the Financial Statement will I not be taken before Tuesday next.