PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1262, 15 August 1872, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, Aug. 34 The Highway Boards Empowering Bill passed through Committee, a clause ;beiug inserted to compel all rating to be on the annual or selling value. Mr Sheehan gave notice, that he would move the re-committal of the Bill, for the purpose of authorising an acreage rate. Mr Reader Wood moved a resolution expressing regret that the present session was not held in Dunedin, as resolved by the House last session. The Government explained that, finding the.resolution had been carried, in a thin House, and as it appeared from the debates that members were under the belief that the expense would not be above L2OOO, whereas it was found that it would cost really above LSOOO, they thought it advisable to give the House an opportunity of re-considering the matter. The rembval would also have interfered with the' proper organisation of the Public Works Department, and with negotiations with Mr Brogden. Messrs Reid, Brown (Canterbury), Reynolds, and Bathgate thought the reasons given were insufficient to justify the refusal of the Government to carry out the resolution of the House. Messrs Harrison, M'Glashan, White, and Wakefield expressed approval of the course taken by the Government. The motion was withdrawn. The Tramways Bill was strongly opposed in the Legislative Council by the Hon. Messrs Waterhouae, Campbell, and Holmes. The second reading was passed, however. In reply to a motion by the Hon Mr Gray, the Hon. Mr Hall explained the reasons of the Government refusing to entertain Brogden's Railway Company's proposals. He said they would disturb all arrangements already sanctioned by Parliament, cause delay in the construction of public works, remove almost all control from the hands of the Government, , and increase the liability of the Colony. At present 187 miles were contracted for at an average cost of L4BOO per mile. The Company required permission to expend

LBOOO per mile, which, on the proposed 1480 miles line would represent millions. The Colony might have to pay .5£ per cent on this, which, long before 40 years, would be a very high rate of interest. The proposal, if accepted, would also shut out all local enterprise and competition. The Government were ready to entertain any further or new proposals likely to be for the benefit of the ; Colony. 7.40 p.m. Mr Fitzherbert again moved the second reading of the Wanganui Bridge : Bill. Mr Fox opposedf but the motion was carried by 24 to 23. Mr Curtis's motion comes on to-night. The Government have announced that they will proceed with no further business till it is disposed of, but as soon as* that is done, the Treasurer will be ready to deliver his Financial' Statement, probably on Friday or Tuesday next.

In the Council, the Hon. Mr Hall gave notice of a Bill to limit the number of paid Ministers entitled to sit in Parliament.