NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 268, 12 November 1868, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Friday, October 9. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. After a variety of business -bad been gone through, the Hon. Mr Bonar moved the second reading of the Election by Ballot Bill, which was lost, after a short discussion, by a majority of 9 to 4. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. A discussion on the motion that "a sum not exceeding £1369 16s 4Jd be paid, to Mary Jane Briggs, , William Dickon lioyle, Fretw.ell W. .Hoyle, and Major and Mrs Campbell,' wrecked in ihe Lord Worsley, was postponed. Monday, October 12. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. _ The Hon. Speaker intimated that the Hon. Mr Si' Lean, Hon. Mr Nurse, and Hon. Dr Renwick were absent from the Council without leave. The Interpretation Bill and Resident Magis-. trates Bill were read a third time. Tuesday, October 13. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The main business was the adjourned debate on the Imperial Claims against the Colony, during which the Hon. Dr Buchanan said 'when he contrasted the lavish way in which Great Britain had squandered her millions in her Abyssinian expedition,, merely for the purpose of delivering some 60 Europeans from captivity, with the niggardly and carping spirit with which she had dealt with a colony of 250,000 loyal subjects, he confessed he was lost in wonder that she should have shown so little consideration for the claims of New Zealand.' HOUfE OF REPRESENTATIVES.. In reply Mr Stafford stated that the' Government would be prepared to consider a scheme for the readjustment of the representation, as it was very desirable that some notorious inequalities should be remedied. The following Bills were read a third time and passed — Public Debts Sinlcing Funds, Deeds Registration, Westland Publichouses, Public Revenues, University Endowment. The Indemnity Bill , was read a third time and passed, Mr Stafford remarking, that by a recent decision of the Chief Justice of England, neither the Governor nor the Ministers would be safe from aji indictment before the Courts of Westminster for an act done in the colony for the prompt preservation of the pea".c. The House went into committee of supply, when the various sums were passed without much opposition, although a strong disposition was shown to do away with useless officers. During the discussion Major Brown mentioned the new system of drill introduced into the. London Scottish Volunteer Company, by whicn Militia and Volunteers could be drilled in a tenth of the ordinary time. . Wednesday, October 14. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL; The Roads Board Bili f consisting of some 950

clauses); described by the Hon. Mr Stokes as ' a horrid, uncouth monster of great bulk,' was thrown out on division by 9 to 6. Otago settlements and Land Drainage Bills both negatived. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. After some interesting debates on the Panama Contract, Wairau Massacre, New Zeaiatr*Fisheries, &c., the House went into committee of supply. Thursday, October 15. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Various bills were read a second and third time; and the Land Claims Final Settlement Bill was described by Mr Domett as 'the vain imagination of a credulous Goth,' aud the unusual motion 'that it be read that day six months' was agreed to. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. • Mr C. O'Neill moved that the next sitting of the Assembly be held in Christchurch. A long debate ensued, the main points of which have already been given in our columns. Lost on division by 22 to 12.