PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 4232, 19 September 1876, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OJP REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Sept. 19. In the House of Representatives yesterday at 2 p.m., after Mr Murray's amendment had been put and lost, the original motion was put in an amended form and carried by 44 against 24. The Premier then introduced THE INDEMNITY BILL. Mr Stout divided the House before allowing the first reading. The division was: Ayes, 44; noes, 21. Mr Stout said that if the Bill could be read a first time it could be read a second and third time, and if that were done he would say the Opposition ought to leave the House.

Mr Macandrew observed that if the Bill were to be forced through in that way he must say it was most discreditable. The Bill was read a first time, and The Premier announced that the Government would move the second reading at 7.30 that evening. The Speaker was about to leave the chair until 7.30, when

Mr Stout moved the adjournment, and Mr Browx (Tuapeka) divided the House. The motion was lost by 43 against 11. Mr Stout protested against the Speaker leaving the chair, and raised it as a point of privilege. r After some discussion the Speaker explained that it was the wish of the House generally that he should leave the chair, in order to continue business at 7.30, and accordingry did so, just as Mr Brown (Tuapeka) commenced to raise objections.

The House resumed at 7.30 p. m , Mr Whitaker moved the second reading of the Indemnity Bill briefly. Then Mr Stout initiated a series »f explanatory remarks that followed from one hon. member after another as to the circumstances which led to the present complication, and after strongly condemning the bill and the action of Ministers in regard to it he said he hoped the Opposition would all leave the House before the division, and allow Ministers to have it all their own way.

Mr Macaxdrew agreed with Mr Stout, arid called it tlw most high-handed exercise of power ever witnessed in any Assembly bir George Grey and Mr Rke.s also deiionnced the proceeding altogether, the former saying it was using a majority to rob constituents of their right to say whether they should evei elect Ministers a«aiu As soon aa Sir George Grey had finished, a majority of the Opposition members-in-eluding Sir George Grey, Messrs Macandrew, Stout, and Reader Wood—left the Chamber an £r a ?? rt of P erßonal debate took place. ' Mr Moorhovse having taken occasion to comment with some severity upou the tactics of the Opposition, MrSHEEHAN replied in sharp terms, and Mr Whitaker replied to Mr Stout's remarks as well as to those of others Then explanations and eounter-explana-tions followed, as to who was responsible for thel presont talking against time; the Opposition blaming the Ministry, and the Ministry blaming the Opposition. Mr W. Woor. moved that the BUI be read that day >U months. This led to more debating, sharp speeches being made by Messrs Whitaker, Wakefield, and Hislop, ' When the division was taken on the second reading only two Opposition members —Messrs Fisher and Wood- who acted as tellers, were present. The division was 37 against 2.

After the Bill went through Committee Mr Sharp gave notice that he would move for an address to his Excellency to put money on the Estimates to indemnify those who took action against Ministers. .. So °\® objection being raised against this the Bill was read a third time and passed. Ihe House adjourned at 11.30 p.m. till the usual hour next day. Mr Brown (Tuapeka) wanted the Bill to J*! 6 *? 16 ** 1 * 1 ? of the "Whitewash Bill," but the Speaker said it was not a proper amendment. *

The soothing induence of music upon the insane is recognised in the Canterbury lunatic asylum. Mr Seager, its manager; acting under authority from the Government, has ordered a new pianoforte, at an Lnghsh price of eighty guineas, to replace the instrument at present used, it being unsmted to the requirements of the establishment. '\Y hen the new one arrives," says a local paper, "the asylum will be a regular home of music, as in addition to the magnificent organ in the large hall, there is a brass band in connection witli the institution, and the Venerable Archdeacon Wilson has' promised an American organ."