Parliamentary

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 56, 21 October 1884, Page 2

Parliamentary

I [PEE UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] j Wellington, Oct. 20. DISTRICT RAILWAYS BILL. j In the Legislative Council last night, tho Colonial Secretary moved tho second reading of the District Railways Bill. Sir Geo. Whitmore spoke in opposition to tho Bill. Mr Waterhouse moved that tho Bill be read a second timo that day Bix months. After a discussion lasting until 10 o'clock, tho amendment moved by Mr Waterhouse was carried, and tho District Railways Bill thrown out by 21 to 9 votes. NEW BILL. In the Houso, the Civil List Amendment Act was introduced in Committee by the Hon. Mr Stout, and read a first time. MIDDLE ISLAND RAILWAYS. The Hon. Mr Stout moved that the amendment mado by the Committee in the East and West Coast (Middle Island) Railway Bill be agreed to. Mr Rollcston moved the recommittal ■of the bill with the view of inserting a clause to tho effect that no other railways than those specified be constructed under the provisions of the act. The Hon. Mr Stout did not consider this course necessary, as any frosh contracts would have to obtain tho sanction of the House. He hoped the bill would not be reccommitted. The motion for the recommittal of the bill was put and lost on a division. Ayes, 49 ; noes, 15. The bill was then read a third time and passed. government insurance. The Government Insurance Association Bill was further considered in Committee. In clause 5 relating to the constitution of the board, the Hon Mr Stout moved that the words " Auditor and Controller- General" be struck out. Major Atkinson hoped the Committee would pass the clause as it stood. He defended the constitutions of the board and said it was impossible to carry on tho system of Government insurance properly without appointing a board to conduct it on commercial principles. Tho clause as amended by the Premier was carried on a division. Ayes, 36 ; noes, 16. In clause 7, relative to the qualification of voters for the election of directors by policy holders, the Hon. Mr Stout moved, " Every holder of a policy of full age, and insured under such policy for not less than £100, and which has been in existence tor six months, shall be qualified to vote, &c." The amendment was agreed to. After a lengthy debate Mr Seddon moved, That the further consideration of the clause be postponed, but the Chairman ruled that the amendment had been agreed to by the Committee. On the House resuming at 7.30 the motion for reporting progress was put and carried. The House then adjourned.