ABOUT THE LOBBIES.

Evening Star, Issue 4188, 29 July 1876, Page 3

ABOUT THE LOBBIES.

(From our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, July 29. Re Mr Smythies's petition, the Public Petitions Committee will report recommending an amendment of the Law Practitioners Act, to allow the judges, if they should think fit, to grant the petitioner a rehearing. Three hours were occupied in Committee last night on the clause in the Corporations Bill giving municipalities power to lease for twenty-one years. This was strongly opposed by Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury, all of which, working under the Act of 1867, have leased their reserves for long periods. The Ofcago members as strongly supported the clause, Messrs Stout, Bastings, Lumsden, and Joyce being the principal speakers. The two first mentioned, said in effect that Corporations in Otago are not fit to be trusted with power to lease for long periods. On a division the clause was retained as it Btands, by a majority of five. It is proposed to except Auckland from the operation of the clause, but pressure will be brought to bear to induce the Government to allow extended time, say sixty-six years. The Government are reducing the Armed Constabulary by four sub-inspectors, eight sergeants, and ninety-seven men. The Government have agreed to amend the Juries Act of 1871, and bring in a Bill for that purpose, which provides that in all civil cases the finding.of three-fourths of any jury shall stand recorded as a verdict. At the last meeting of the San ifeancisco Mail Service Committee, a proposal made by the Government to vote a monthly allowance to Mr Creighton as representative of the Colony, received no support. Mr Shrimski's Oamoru Harbor Board Bill asks for 320,000 acres as an endowment, which the House is not at all likely to agree to. If he consents to alter the schedule to 100,000 acres, as the Oamaru Board propose, there is some chance of success, otherwise the fate of the Bill is sealed. I

Sir George Grey was very spiteful yesterday. Against the wish of his side, he opposed the motion, for adjournment of the debate, saying business had been postponed one night on account of a ball, and now it was proposed to postpone it again in consequence of the effects of that ball.