PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2314, 3 September 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[press association telegram.J LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, September 2. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. W. S, Peter was given a week’s leave on urgent private affairs. The Geraldine Racecourse Reserve Bill was read a second time. The Thermal Springs Districts Bill was passed through the Council with amendments. The Waimakariri Harbor Board Loan Bill was partly considered in Council, and progress reported. On the motion of the Hon. Colonel Bbbtt, the report and evidence of the privilege committee re the sale of honorarium was ordered to be printed. The Hon, Colonel Brett gave notice of a further motion subsequently, as he disagreed with the conclusion of the report that Mr Wood had not sold. The Hon W. Robinson moved that the report be referred back to the committee for further consideration. Ho said he disagreed with the report, stating that the Hon. Mr Wood had not sold, and a stigma would rest upon the Council it one of their members was allowed to repudiate a debt of honor. He stated that Mr Wood had told a gentleman he was sorry ho had entered into the transaction.

A discussion followed, nil the speakers agreeing that no good would be done by referring the report back, and that the best course would be to take no further action until the evidence was printed. To this view the Hon, W. Robinson assented, and withdrew his motion.

The Hon. J, N. Wilson moved that the reporting committee should take steps to prevent Sir Julius Vogel’s letter appearing in “Hansard.” He said it would give it an undue importance. Ho blamed the Government for sending it back, which had given the letter far more notoriety and importance than it would otherwise have attained.

The Hon. Colonel Brett opposed the motion, and was proceeding to read and comment on the letter when all the members present except seven rose and left. It being then four o’clock, however, the motion lapsed for the day. The Invercargill Gasworks Site Bill was considered in committee, and read a third time and passed. The Council adjourned from five o’clock ti'l 7.30 p.m, ‘ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Friday, September 2 The following is the continuation of the debate yesterday afternoon after our going to press : Mr Pitt followed at 8.25, and continued until 9 5, when Mr Levestam addressed the committee, and spoke until 10. He was followed by Mr Speight, when Mr Bryce was relieved from the chair, his place being taken by Mr Thomson. During Mr Speight’s speech the Premier pointed out that the Bill did not absolutely settle the members of the House to be ninety-one, intimating that the number of the members could be altered on the re-committal of the Bill. Mr Speight finished speaking at 11.50. Mr Swanson then commented upon the operation of the property vote in Auckland, After Mr Swanson had concluded, Mr Hursthouse commenced, and having spoken on a variety of subjects, was relieved at 12 30 by Mr Gibbs. Mr Thomson was at the same time relieved from the chair by Mr Seymour. After Mr Gibbs had spoken for twenty-five minutes, the Colonial Secretary requested him to speak louder, so that his important observations might be heard. Mr Levestam suggested that Mr Dick should come nearer to Mr Gibbs. Mr Harris appealed to the Chair to protect Mr Gibbs, and the Chairman said Mr Gibbs spoke quite loud enough to be heard, and the request of the Colonial Secretary was quite uncalled for. Mr Gibbs spoke till 1 25, and was relieved by Mr Pitt, while Mr Seymour was relieved by Mr Bryoe, who took the chair. At 1 50, Mr Levestam commenced another term. He concluded his remarks at 2.15, and was succeeded by Mr Gibbs, who continued speaking for twenty minutes. Mr Levestam again took up the debate for five minutes, amidst frequent interruptions. At 2.40, Mr Hursthonse came to the rescue, and spoke until 3 p.m., when Mr Pitt commenced another speech. He was succeeded at 320 by Mr Lundon, who admitted that he did not know what question was before the House, and was put right by the Chairman, On being ruled out of order several times, Mr Lundon resumed his seat, and Mr Collins began. At 3.50, Mr Hursthonse followed, and said the Premier was evidently getting angry, and he wonld, therefore, move that strangers withdraw from the gallery. The House divided, as follows :—Ayes, 2 ; noes, 42. The question was then put that the Chairman leave the chair. Another division took place—Ayes, 11; noes, 30, Mr Seddon next spoke, and moved that progress be reported, and continued speaking until 4.45. Sir G. Grey followed, and hoped that progress would be reported. Mr Hursthouse again spoke for ten minutes, when the question of progress was put—Ayes, 12 ; noes, 31. Mr Seddon, at 5 o’clock, moved that the chairman leave the chair, and spoke to the 5 30 adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. On resuming at 7.30 there was a large attendance of members. DEFEAT OP THE STONEWALTERS. Mr Seymour took the chair. He said — Before calling on the business I desire to make a statement on the conduct of the business. The Committee has now been sitting forty hours and has negatived on twenty-three occasions motions for reporting progress or on the chairman leaving the chair. lam of opinion that the limits of fair discussion have been overstepped on this occasion, and it becomes my duty as chairman to uphold the proper conduct of the business of the! Committee, and to put a stop to the proceedings, which have become obstructive. For the present, therefore, I shall not permit to be proposed, nor shall I put from the chair any further motion to report progress or to leave the chair. I shall submit to the consideration of the Committee any new clauses or amendments which may be hona fide or in order, and I shall then strictly confine the discussion of these amendments to the point immediately under consideration. I feel sensible of the importance of the decision to which I have arrived, but I am of opinion that that decision was absolutely necessary for the proper conduct of business, that the deliberation of the committee should be brought to that point which is usual in fair and reasonable discussion of the measure submitted to it by the House. I have only now to add that I shall not allow this ruling of mine to be disputed. If any hon. member objects to the course I propose to take, and there may bo some hon. members who may think that in the proposal I make for the conduct of the business of the chair I am overstepping due authority—then I think the proper time for the discussion of that point is when the House is sitting, and the Speaker is in the chair. I shall not allow the ruling I give now to be challenged. In reply to Mr Tole, The Chairman said it was not his place to quote his authority for his ruling. It was his place to rule. Several other members having asked questions upon the ruling, Mr Seddon proceeded to discuss the new course which the Chairman now insisted upon the House dealing with. When he sat down, Mr Gisborne rose and moved that the Chairman report progress, in order that the unprecedented ruling of the Chairman of Committee relative to his procedure in committee may be submitted for the consideration of the House. [Loud cheers and clapping of hands from the stonewall part?.] The Chairman —I may inform the committee that I shall decline to put this. [Applause from Ministerial side.] Mr Gisborne rose to speak to his motion, when The Chairman said—The hon. gentleman will please speak to the clause under consideration. Mr Gisborne —I shall speak to my motion. [Cheers, and cries of “ Chair.”] The Chairman —The hon. gentleman will apeak to the clause. Mr Gisborne —I believe lam asserting the privileges of the House. [Cheers from the Opposition party.] If I am disorderly I wish my conduct to be reported to the Honse. The Chairman I understand the hon. member declines to speak to the clause under discussion.

Mr Gisbobnk— l do. The Chaibman —And that he intends to speak to hia motion. In that case I declare the hon. member to be acting in defiance of the rules of the Chair. [Cheers from the Opposition.] The Pbemiee besought the members to be calm. There was no cause for excitement, and they should be prepared to deal with the matter in a calm judicial spirit. That was the only way they were likely to arrive at a just conclusion.

The Chairman then said he would leave the chair, and report that the hon. member for Totara had been guilty of disorderly conduct. The Chairman having done so, i Sir G. Gbey rose and was about to speak I when

The Speaker, in a fierce voice, cried “Order.” If any member rises when I am on my legs summary proceedings will be ordered to be taken. It has been reported that Mr Gisborne, the member for Totara. has been guilty of disorderly conduct in committee. I will now afford that hon. member an opportunity of explaining his conduct, after which ho will withdraw from the Chamber until the House deliberates what course it will pursue with reard to him. Mr Gisborne then explained his reason for what he had done, and left the Chamber. The Hon. J. Hall said —Before I proceed to move the motion which has just now been indicated by yourself, sir, may I ask yon to call upon the hon. member whose conduct has been challenged to reconsider the matter. The Speaker I must positively decline doing so. It has been explained to me that the authority of the Chairman ot Committee has been set ot defiance, and I in due form called upon and gave the hon. member an opportunity for explaining his conduct. This he has declined to do, and it must be assumed that he had in his mind a full knowledge of the consequences. I therefore must decline to interfere any further, as has been suggested by the Hon. the Premier. I now await the motion requisite for dealing with the hon. member under these circumstances.

The Hon. |J. Hall— Then, sir. I have to move, and Ido so with regret—“ That the Hon. Mr Gisborne, a member of this House, having continued to interrupt the business of this House in committee, after having been called upon by the Chairman to desist, shall be hold to have been guilty of contempt.” Ido this, sir, with very great regret, as I cannot bnt admit that, while the hon. member has undoubtedly defied the authority ot the House, he has done so in no spirit of fraotiousness, and has simply been actuated by a desire to assert what he undoubtedly seems to consider to bo a right. Believing him to be wrong, ns he undoubtedly was, the Chairman reported the matter to yourself. Yon have decided that Mr Gisborne was in the wrong [cries of “No,” “Yes”]; therefore I beg to move—— The Speaker—ln dealing with a case of this kind I beg that it may be done in a spirit of solemnity due to the importance of the event. I desire that yon will confine yonr remarks as strictly as possible to the business on band. The Hon, J. Hall— l would ask you, sir, if it will bo competent to accept of a resolution affirming the offence, leaving the question of the penalty to be inflicted to be dealt with by a separate resolution afterwards.

The Speaker was understood to reply in the negative, and that every member is supposed to know the penalty to which a persistence in conduct like that complained of subjects him. The authority of the Chairman of Committees must not be trifled with in this way. The Hon. J. Hall— Then, Sir, I will move tho_ motion I have just read, with the addition insisted upon by you, and that the penalty be

The Speaker— The penalty asked for is jE2O, not .£SO as provided by the standing orders. It is a very light punishment for the effence with which the hon. member is charged, bnt as this is the first case of the kind, I am sot disposed to interfere. •

Sir G. Grey —l move as an amendment to the motion yon have just read—" That the Hon. Mr Gisborne rightly strove to bring under the review of the House the ruling of the Chairman of Committee, which he deemed to be of an nnpreoedented nature.” He believed that the ruling of the Chairman in refusing to accept of this motion wai unprecedented, and in asserting that view there was nothing in the conduct of the member, Mr Gisborne, that could by any possibility bo construed into a spirit of factions opposition. He stated most distinctly tbat he believed ho was acting on a ruling given by the Chairman of Committee on a previous occasion. They had all heard tbat ruling. It was given openly, and there conld be no doubt but that the Chairman of Committee gave them most distinctly to understand that any challenge they had to make in committee would have to be reported to you, Sir, as Speaker of this Honse. Under these circumstances, I contend again, Sir, that the hon. member deserves the gratitude of this House. He deserves onr praise rather than onr censure for the spirit of calmness and gentleness in which he contended for what ho, in common with many more members in this House, conceived to be an undoubted right. Then again, Sir, 1 have to point out to yon tbat this is a novel course of action proposed to bo taken, and as such the hon. member is entitled to consideration. Sir W. Fox admitted that the hon. member had assorted what he conceived to be his rights in a spirit ot perfect fairness and forbearance, bnt then they had to take all the circumstances of the case into account. The obstruction had been carried to a very great length, and unless a strong hand was taken the business could not possibly be gone on with. Mr Gisborne had no doubt voluntarily put himself forward as a martyr. It would be folly to think, as some members of the Honse would appear to tbink, that this was a trifling matter, and should be dealt with as such. It was a state of matters which had to be pnt a stop to, and nnless tbat was done the same kind of obstruction might crop np again at any given moment. Mr Pitt rose to a point of order, but the Speaker rnled against him, and Sir W. Pox was allowed to proceed with his remarks, the remainder of which were couched in a spirit similar to the foregoing. Mr Moss spoke against the motion, stating that if the coarse proposed was insisted npon the standing orders were a mere farce, and ought to be tom np, Mr Sheehan defended the action taken by Mr Gisborne, and thought he was deserving rather of praise than censure. If it became necessary he would at the proper time move that the fine bo 1s instead of iJ2O. Mr Hursthouse said that Mr Gisborne had taken no part in the obstruction. He had only moved a tost question to obtain the opinion of the House.

Mr Shephard spoke to the sami effect. Mr Stewart contended that Mr Gisborne had deliberately, with a full knowledge of the consequences, refused to obey the ruling of the Chairman. His very calmness was proof of premeditation. There was no ground for sympathy. Mr Gibbs felt that Mr Gisborne had been simply endeavoring to bring an important question to an issue.

Mr Seddon contended that Mr Gisborne was not acting dispassionately. He was really highly excited and suffering from provocation. Mr Weston considered that although Mr Gisborne might technically be guilty of contempt, he was really only endeavoring to obtain what he deemed ho was entitled to, an appeal to the Speaker and Sense adjudicating. In endeavoring to test the question Mr Gisborne could not be said to have vexatiously inter, rupted the proceedings. Mr Russell said that no one could possibly say that Mr Gisborne had intended any contempt. He had only sought to have a question of the highest constitutional importance decided by the highest authority, instead of simply by a Chairman. Ho could not adjndge Mr Gisborne guilty of contempt for seeking to test an unprecedented question. Mr J, T. Fisher agreed with Mr Russell. He had lived under the articles of war, and was in favor of discipline, but he denied that Mr Gisborne had been guilty of any intentional contempt. Mr Barron said that Mr Gisborne had acted calmly and deliberately against the Chairman’s ruling. He thought that the authority of the House would be sufficiently vindicated by a fine of one farthing. Mr Mac an drew, with great pain as an old friend and colleague of Mr Gisborne, felt bound to support the Premier’s motion. Whether right or wrong the authority of the Chair must be supported. _ ... Mr Pitt disputed tbia view, and thought fair justice would be done if the House waited till it was calmer before adjudicating, In endeavoring to bring the question to a climax Mr Gisborne could not be said to have vexatiously interrupted the proceedings. The Hon. W. Johnston agreed with Mr Barron.

Mr Wood hold that Mr Gisborne had not committed any contempt. He had simply controverted a ruling, which he deliberately stated was incontrovertible of the Standing Orders of the House. All that Mr Gisborne hod done was to seek the opinion of the Speaker on that ruling. If he were adjudged gnily of contempt no member would be safe from the caprice of any chairman. Mr J. B. Fishes considered Mr Gisborne was guilty of cold-blooded, deliberate contempt of the Chair and obstruction of business. His object might be pure, but his intent was bad. The Hon. W. Rollebton said the question to be dealt with now was a question of dry fact, and apart from whether the member for Totara chose to make himself a martyr. Mr Levestam referred to the reason for the action taken by Mr Gisborne. Mr Eeid spoke in mitigation of damages, pointing out there was no premeditation, and that in the stonewall tactics Mr Gisborne had taken no part. Mr Spkiqht said they might leave the question of mitigation of damage out of the question, and consider the reason for Mr Gisborne’s action. Ho held that that gentleman had no other course left open. Air Collins said his vote would bo given against the hon. member for Totara. He felt that his vote would lose him his election, but the hon. member had broken the standing rules of this House, and had been guilty of a serious offence. Mr Haebis justified Mr Gisborne’s conduct and was wandering from the question, when the Speaker peremptorily ordered him to sit down. Mr Tole spoke in favor of no punishment being imposed. Mr Swanson thought it unnecessary to discuss the question of mitigation, as he was very well sure ho would never pay a shilling. The House onght to bo obliged to Mr Gisborne for bringing up this matter so that the whole quea-

I tion of the Speaker’s ruling could be finally settled. There was not a man in the House thought he ought to pay a shilling. Mr Ballanch was speaking on the question when the Speaker said the question bad not been reported to him by the committee. The Premier said the House could not go into the motive ot Mr Gisborne’s act, but into bis conduct as they found it. Mr Wakefield insisted that the member for Totara had fallen into no trap, but had done what he did from a set purpose, and with a full knowledge of its consequence. He would vote for the motion of the Premier.

Mr Saunders was sorry that there conld be no punishment inflicted on Mr Gisborne, and there were several members on the Opposition side who would like to be placed in the same position.

Mr Reeves pointed out that Mr Gisborne wanted the motion to report progress to be put, in order that the matter in dispute could be placed before the Speaker, bnt the Chairman would not allow the question to be put. At five minutes to ten the question was put that the Premier’s motion stand part of the question, when a division was called. Ayes, 46; noos, 27, The motion was carried. Ayes, 46—Messrs Allwright, Andrews, Atkinson, Bain, Barron, ILetham, Bowen, Brandon, Bryce, Colbeck, Collins, Dick, Driver, Fisher, J. B. (Buller), Sir W. Fox, Messrs Fulton, Hall, Hamlin, Hirst, H. (Wallace), I Johnston, Jones, Kelly, Kenny, Levin, Macandrew, McCaughan, Montgomery, Murray, Oliver, Fyke, Richardson, Rolleston, Saunders, Shanks, Stevens, Stewart, Stndholme, Sutton, Swanson, Trimble, Wakefield, Wallis, Weston, Whitaker, Whyte, Wright. Noes, 27—Messrs Ballance, Brown, Fisher, J. T. (Heathcote), George, Gibbs, Sir G. Grey, Messrs Harris, Hurst, W. J. (Auckland West), Hursthonse, Hntchison, Lavestam, Lnndon, Mason, Moss, Pitt, Reeves, Reid, Russell, Seddon, Sheehan, Shephard, Speight, Taiaroa, Tawbai, Tewheoro ; Tole, Wood. On the substantive question for inflicting the fine, the Honeo again divided. Ayes, 46—Messrs Allwright, Andrews, Atkinson, Bain, Barron, Beetham, Bowen, Brandon, Bryce, Colbeck, Collins, Dick, Driver, J. B. Fisher (Bnller), Sir W. Fox, Messrs Fulton, Hall, Hamlin, H. Hirst (Wallace), Johnston, Jones, Kelly, Kenny, Levin, Macandrew, MoCanghan, McDonald. Montgomery, Murray, Oliver, Pyke, Richardson, Rolleston, Saunders, Shanks, Stevens, Stewart, Stndholme, Sntton, Swanson, Trimble. Wakefield, Wallis, Whitaker, Whyte, Wright. Noes, 25—Messrs Ballance, Brown, J. T. Fisher (Heathcote), George, Gibbs, Sir Q. Grey, Messrs Harris, Hursthonse, Hutchison, Leviatam, Lnndon, Mason, Moss, Pitt, Reeves, Reid, Russell, Seddon, Sheehan, Shephard, Speight, Taiaroa, Tawhai, Tole, Wood. The Speaker directed the Sorgeant-at-Arms to summon Mr Gisborne, who, on making his appearance, was received with applause. The_ Speaker then addressed him to the following effect:—lt is with no ordinary feelings of regret that I see before me in your present position a man of yonr past career. The distinguished services you have rendered the colony ore well known to all in the House. By the faithfol discharge of the duties devolving upon you in respect of those services, yon have risen to the very highest offices of the colony. I have seen yon, sir, frequently sitting as a member of this House on these Benches, and your conduct has ordinarily been that of dignity and decorum. I have also seen yon, sir, occupying a seat on the Ministerial Benches, and in other capacities yon are well known to have occupied positions of honor and trust in connection with the Government of this colony. As Chairman of this Assembly I expected that a gentleman of your knowledge and experience wonld set an example to the House, more especially to younger members of the Honse. It is therefore with extreme regret 1 find yon occupying the position you now do. If we are not to look to yon to uphold the dignity of the Honse then I fail to see to whom we are to look for that. The House has taken a more lenient view of yonr case than all the facts of the case might under the circumstances warrant. The decision arrived at by the Honse in yonr absence is this, that, yon, Mr Gisborne, have been guilty of wilful disobedience, and have thereby declared yon to have been guilty of contempt, and a penalty of .£2O is recorded against you. The penalty is payable at once, and until it is paid you are not permitted to resume your seat. The clerk is instructed to retire in order that immediate payment may be mode. Until payment is made yon can retire from tl« Honse.

Mr Gisborne said he hoped ha would not be considered wanting in respect to the House or respect to the Speaker in making a word of comment upon the observations with which he had been pleased to accompany the decision at which the House had just arrived. His own conscience fully acquitted him of all intention of obstructing the business before the House. He was actuated in the coarse he had taken by no other motive than a desire of enabling that House to get consideration of a subject which he believed a previous ruling of the Chairman of Committee distinctly promised, Mr Gisborne then retired, and was loudly applauded in doing so. The Speaker said that before leaving the chair ho would avail himself of the opportunity for making a few observations on the transactions of the last forty-eight hours. During the whole of that time no progress whatever had been made with the business, the Bill before the House in committee not having been advanced a single step. He felt perfectly ashamed of the manner in which the business had been obstructed. He mentioned the matter principally with the view that there might be no further mistake made in supposing that there was no power by which a deadlock of this kind could be released. In the exercise of that power, he for one would not flinch from the discharge of the duty entrusted to him. After the usual adjournment at 10.53, the committee resumed, when a division was taken upon Mr Seddon’s new clause. The clause was negatived by 46 to 14. Mr Speight’s new clause was then taken.

Mr Hdbst said he would propose as a substitute “ that this Act shall continue in operation till 1887 and no longer.” After some remarks from Messrs Speight, Brandon and Sir Q. Grey, Colonel Trimble made a few remarks about the waste of time that was going on. Messrs Gibbs and Seddon followed. The latter referred to the members opposite as “ Judas Iscariots on every seat,” which words Mr Saunders moved should be taken down. The motion was lost on the voices. Mr Seddon was succeeded by Messrs Hurst, Stewart, Speight, Bowen, Sutton, Shepherd, and Sheehan. The Hon. J. Hall intimated that the Government would accept Mr Hurst’s proposed new clause.

Mr Speight’s new clause, providing for redistribution to be holden after each census being taken was lost by 42 to 16. Further discussion ensued on Mr Hurst’s clause.

Mr Wakefield opposed and Mr Russell supported Mr Hurst’s clause, which was read a second time by 29 to 27, and the clause added to the Bill by 31 to 22. Mr Seddon moved an amendment—" That no person shall be entitled to have his name inserted on more than one electoral rell.—Rejected by 31 to 21. At 1.55 Mr Sheehan asked if the Chairman would accept a motion to report progress. The Chairman said he did not think progress should be reported till all the new clauses were passed. Mr Sheehan then moved a new clause, providing that it should not be obligatory to hold all the elections on the same day. Mr Bryce here relieved Mr Seymour in the chair, and refused to put the motion, but stated he would accept a motion to report progress. Mr Sheehan then moved this, but Mr Hall opposed, and Mr Pitt was speaking in support of reporting progress, when the Chairman ordered him to resume his seat, which Mr_ Pitt did after a protest. Mr Moss was complaining of the House being gagged, when he also was ordered to sit down. He did so, but stood up again and proceeded to speak of what it would be possible for a Government to do in future if it had a Speaker and a Chairman subservient to its orders.

Mr Bowen drew attention to this language as conveying imputations on the present Speaker and the Chairman. _ Mr Moss disclaimed this intention.

The Chaibman ordered him to resume his seat. He said ho did so under fear of a heavy penalty. The motion to report progress was then put and lost.

Mr Pitt moved a new clause, that the Act should not come into force till after the close of the next session of Parliament. Mr Seddon supported this, and Mr Moss asked if the tapu was removed from him, as he had not been told how long he was to keep hia seat. Mr Moss spoke some time, and was again called to order. Messrs Seddon, Shepherd, and Pitt having spoken, the clause was lost by 27 to 7. On the schedule being reached, Mr Sheehan moved to report progress. Mr Hall opposed the motion, and called on the committee to pass the schedules as they stood, saying any alteration the Government thought desirable could be brought down by message from the Governor afterwards. Air Pitt protested against the schedules being solrnabed through, and the motion to report progress was lost by 27 to 7. On the first clause, "Bay of Islands one member,” Air Sheehan moved to insert two instead of ono —-Lost by 28 to 5. Two amendments to change the name to Mongonni, and to add the word “ Mongonni” wore also lost._ Mr Lundon then moved an alteration m the boundaries. , , , . ~ , Mr Pitt urged that the schedule should be sent to the Select Committee. Air Gkobqk said the four northern districts desired to retain their present boundaries. Major Atkinson said the Government insisted on the schedules being passed as printed. When this was done any amendments suggested

to the Government would receive careful conBideration. Mr Ltodon withdrew his amendment on the clause “ Auckland City.” Mr Seddon moved that it have two members instead of one, and that “ Auckland North ” be struck out.—Lost by 27 to 5. Mr Section also proposed to give Auckland City West two members instead of one.—Lost by 28 to 5. He then moved the amalgamation of Franblyn North and South.—Lost by 24 to 4. He then moved to give the Th imea two members. —Lost by 21 to 6. A similar motion with regard to the Hutt was lost by 26 to 4. Mr Pitt, at 6.10 a.m., moved to report progress.—Lost by 25 to 4. Mr Sbddon moved the amalgamation of the two Wairarapa districts. —Ayes, 4; noes, 25. He then proposed the amalgamation of the three Wellington City districts, giving them three members.—Ayes, 6 noes, 22. Mr Pitt moved that Nelson City laavo wo members, and at length urged its claim. Major Atkinson regretted the Government had to oppose this, but in justice to the rest of the colony they had no option. He hoped the day would come when Nelson would be entitle 1 to and get increased representation. Mr Pitt’s amendment was lost by 22 to 9. A proposal of Mr Gibb’s, supported by Mr Hurathonse, to insert “ and Colling wood” after the name Motueka was rejected on the voices, and the motion to give Motueka two members lost by 26 to 9.

Mr Gisborne moved an alteration in the Westland district.—Lost by 23 to 9. Mr Jones proposed certain alterations in the Waitaki district, and spoke strongly in favor of their necessity.—Lost by 25 to 3. Mr Pitt as a final protest, moved to strike out the motion alt), gether.—Lost by 30 to 7. The schedule was then put as a whole, and carried on the voices, and the Bill reported to the House, and the Speaker having taken the chair, the report was agreed to. [Lot sitting. |