PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1317, 18 October 1872, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, Oct. 17.

Nearly all last night was spent over the Estimates. The vote of L 5500 for Government buildings in Wellington was strongly objected to. Mr Macandrew moved to reduce it to LI 500. After a discussion the original amount was passed. The item of LI 500, for six months' Bubsidy for the Fiji steam service, was opposed by Messrs Calder, Gillies, and others ; and supported by Messrs Sheehan, Williamson, and others. Passed without division. The item, compensation to Sniythies LIOOO, was carried on a division by 24 to 13, the Government undertaking not to pay it unless Smythiea accepted it in full satisfaction. The Public Works Estimates still remain to be passed. The Railways and other Government Bills were read a second time, under an arrangement that the discussion should be taken on them to-day on the motion for their being sent to committee. To one item in the Supplementary E»ti-

mates—Westland Waste Lands Commissioner, additional LSO —Mr Harrison objected. ' . . . Mr Yogel explained that the item was put down at the recommendation of the County Chairman. Mr Harrison moved that the item be ; struck out, saying that the Chairman had no authority from the County Council for the recommendation. The item was postponed for further inquiry. 8 p.m. - In reply to a question by Mr Reeves, Mr Ormond stated that the Government intended, after Messrs Brogderis' claims under present arrangement were satisfied, to let all works by public tender. Mr Stafford moved his resolution asking whether, in the event of the death or resignation of the Premier, the Ministry would, according to Constitutional usage, be ipso facto dissolved. He made a brief speech, quoting precedents for the course he suggested. He severely criticised Mr Waterhouse's appointment as Premier, declaring that Mr Yogel was fairly entitled to the Premiership, and that it would have been more satisfactory and Beemly had he held that office. As Mr Yogel already had answered the question, he did not press the motion. After a few remarks by Mesors Yogel, Fox, Luckie, and Shephard, the matter dropped. The Privilege Committee reported on the Harrison-Brogden case — First, that there was no evidence to show that any derogatory proposal had been made by Mr Brogden or by his authority ; second, that though the evidence discovered suspicions of an unhealthy state of affairs, there was nothing to prove that Captain Holt had violated the privilege of the House ; third, that the Committee regretted that Mr Harrison had made such charges, founded on a private conversation. The greater part of the afternoon was occupied with an unfinished discussion in reference to the Public Petitions Committee's reporb on Warden Schaw's case.