PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 659, 31 July 1876, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

{From a corespondent of the Press.) The report circulated some time ago as to the ship White Eagle having seen signals of distress at the Crozet Islands on her passage from England to Auckland and rendered no assistance, is the subject of a question to be put to the Colonial Secretary by the Hon Col Brett, who desires to know if any enquiry has been made as to its truth. The Post says there is reason to believe that the Government will prefer not to proceed with the proposal of erecting a central penal establishment, at least for the present. On the Friendly Societies Bill going into committee, Mr Rolleston has given notice that he will move amendments in no fewer than 86 clauses, these amendments having been suggested by the combined Friendly societies. In the Legislative Council on Tuesday on the third reading of the Regulation of Elections Bill, the Hon Dr Pollen is to move its recommittal for the purpose of inserting a clause for the purpose of authorising votes by proxy, limiting one person holding proxies to not more than two owners of property. On Tuesday, the Hon John Hall is to move in committee on the Canterbury Educational Reserves Bill, that the following proviso be added to clause 8—" Provided alwsys that the college may from time to time, with the consent of the Governor in Council, invest any part of the said moneys not exceeding the sum of ten thousand pounds, in the purchase of sites and the erection of buildings for the purpose of the said college." Hon Mr Chamberlain's motion re fisheries was withdrawn. It was strongly opposed by Wi Tako, who objected to Maori fisheries being regulated or interfered with, as fishing rights were secured to the Maories by the treaty of Waitangi. The Hon Dr Pollen said the Government could not manage a Bill this session, and suggested a Select Committee to collect information. Sir G. Greg's remarks yesterday on the motion for the adjournment of Mr Whitaker's resolutions, that the public business having been postponed on account of a ball, it was it was now to be again postponed, in consequence possibly of the effects of a ball, met with general condemnation. The Post admits they were cruel, and other two papers of course use stronger language. The reasonableness of the Government's request was admitted by his party. Whether any Canterbury members speak on Tuesday night will depend on the nature of Mr Whitaker's speech. Three hours were occupied in committee last night on the clause of the Corporations Bill giving municipalities power to lease for twenty-one years. This was strongly opposed by Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury. The Otago members as strongly supported the clause, Mr Stout, Mr Bastings, Mr Lumsden, and Mr Joyce being the principal speakers. The two first mentioned said in effect that the Corporations in Otago were not fit to be trusted with the power to lease for a long period. On a division the clause was retained as it stands 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 Government to allow an 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, 1871, and bring in a Bill for that purpose, which provides in all civil cases that the finding of three-fourths of any shall stand recorded as a verdict,

At the last meeting of the San Francisco mail service committee the proposal made by the Government tc vote a monthly allowance to Mr Creighton as representative of the colony received no support.