PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1408, 20 August 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

[By Telegraph.] [FROM THE CORRESPONDENT OF THE PBESS.] THE COUNTY CONFERENCE. Massra Hall and Bastings to day waited upon the Colonial Secretary, and laid before him the report of tho County Conference, explaining the reasons for the suggested amendment in the Counties and Rating Act. Colonel Whitmore promised that tho representations of tho Conference should receive attention at the h inds of the Government. THE LICENSING BILL. Tho second reading of tho Licensing Bill is the first order of tho day for to-morrow. As yet, however, the Bill has not been printed. I explained to you in suffic en ly plain language a few days back that the Cover ora nt were afraid to bring down the I icensing Bill in the form in which it was originally drafted. Its provisions were very stringent, sufficiently so, indeed, to please Mr Fox, to whom it was .‘hown by one of the Ministry, and who, by this moans, was induced to abstain from introducing a Bill of his own to tho same effect. A second Bill of six or eight important daus s was thru ordered to be drafted. ' portion ' f this is yet only in type, and I am in a position to state that, although down on tho order papers, it. will not make its appearance to-morrow or for some days. THE SOUTHERN LINE. It is reported that the House is to adjourn for a whole week, to give the members ample time for their intended visit to Christchurch on the opening of the railway PRICE OF DEFERRED PAYMENT LAND. The Land Act of last year is anything but clear as to the price to bo put upon lands sold on the deferred payment system. Some land Boards have read the price as £3 an acre, whilst others interpret it as 30s. Mr Manders has therefore giv ,n uati'-e that to-morrow he will ask the Governm nt if they intend to introduce a measure clearly defining the price of deferred payment land. chainey’s cornvr. Mr Bowen is to ask the Minis'or for Public Works what amount of money it has cost the Government to repai- the railway line between Chainey’s corner and the bridge over the Waimakariri, through damage by floods since the line has opened, the length of time traffic has been susoended, and the consequent loss to the railway revenue.