PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2284, 28 July 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[By Tblbobaph.J [fbom the own cobbbspondent op the "PBBSS."] WELLINGTON, July 27. It waa for some time expected that the division would take place to-night, and thare was unwonted and ominou, activity on the port of the whips on both sides, but at ten o'olock it beoame generally known that an agreement had been come to for the division not to be taken until tomorrow evening. The Government whips now oount on a majority of four, and the Opposition about a minority of two or three. The debate to-day has been very dull. Mr Reeves was declamatory and denunciatory of the Government, but made no new points. There was only one amusing little incident during his speech. He appealed to his colleague (Mr Weßton) to corroborate something he had said about the West Coast grievance. Mr Weston with his usual politeness at once intimated his corroboration, adding that he had already said| the same thing himself in his speech. On this Mr Reeves turning fiercely to Mr Weston, said angrily, " Well, I suppose, sir, there is no objection to my saying it over again, is there ?" Mr Weston with imperturbable courtesy replied, " Oh, dear no, oortainly not," on which Mr Reeves thanked himßeveral times with exaggerated earnestness and gratitude and the House roared. Tnis was the only enlivening episode. The waste lands committee reported on various petitions for grants of land in consideration of military services in the colony, that proper investigation into such claims involves an amount of research which it is impossible for the committee to bestow, and is therefore of opinion that all such petitions arising from circumstances prior to the meeting of Parliament should first be inquired into by the Government during the recess. The same committee report on the petitions of several County Councils for the restoration of the 20 per cent, of the land fund hitherto enjoyed, that "as regards the restoration of the 20 per cent, of the land revenue, the committee is of opinion that such restoration is fair and reasonable, and recommends accordingly." The goldfields committee report on the petition of John Cox, miner, Waihemo, Otago, that they reoommend £250 be granted in full compensation. Correspondence between the Government and Sir F. D. Bell, Agent-General, has been laid on the table. The Government point out to Sir F. D Bell that Parliament has reduced the vote for the agency-general to £3OOO, and request him to reduce his expense within that limit. Sir P. D. Bell replies that this is impossible, because, though £360 is put down for rent and contingencies, rent alone comes to £4OO, and contingencies average more than £350, of whioh postage alone exceeds £IOO. He therefore urges that £3500 be voted, and promises to do his best to keep as much within the limits as possible The Government reply, acceding to the request, and promising to increase the' estimate to £3500. This concludes the correspondence.

Among the notices of motion to-day was one by Mr Hutchison—" That the report of the public petitions committee on the petition of the printers of the colony with reference to the employment of prison labor to the injury of their trade, be considered." Mr J. B. Fisher has given notice to move for a return showing the amounts paid to each member of the West Coast Native Commission, Railways Commission, Civil Service Commission, and Local Industries Commission, for travelling expenses, honorarium, and otherwise. The following return, moved for by the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, was laid on the table of the Legislative Council, showing the number of females trained at the Normal Schools within the colony now engaged in the work of tuition under the various Education Boards, and the number who, having been so trained, are now connected with other pursuits than that of education. The following are the figures : —Now engaged in the work of tuition in public schools, 89; in private schools, 4; absent on leave to study at tho University, 1; waiting employment, 8 ; known to be conneoted with other pursuits than that of teaching, 2 ; those respecting whom there is no information, 18 ; deceased, 2. Two of tho four engaged in private sohools refunded tho cost of their training. Of those known to be connectod with other pursuits than that of teaching, one j.aid £OO for permission to attend for the sake of the instruction given, and two paid a forfeit. Sir G. Grey has presented a petition from the Thames Liberal Association, praying—(1) that tho record of the proceedings of the oommitteo on the Christchurch election be erased from the journals of the House, as forming a precedent inimical to the liberties of the people of New Zealand j (2) that land held on timber lease in the Thames oounty should be opened for settlement. A number of Native petitions have been received against the Orown and Native Lands Rating Bill. The Native petitions committee reported on them, declining to make any recommendation, as tho matter was one of publio policy.