PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 241, 11 October 1871, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

"Wellington, October 10. The whole afternoon was spent iv Committee on the Highway Boards Bill. An amendment was introduced giving Boards power to borrow a sum equal to twice the previous year's rates. October 11. Mr. Stafford spoke an hour last night on the general policy of the Government which he declared to be eminently unsatisfactory; he very strongly condemned the proposed constitution of the Board of Works, the Brogden contracts, and construction of public works on guarantee or land payment system. The Nelson West Coast line was the only one that could be legitimately paid for in land. He declared the policy of the Government with regard to the provinces half-hearted and cowardly; and the whole policy of the Government to be wasteful, reckless, ill-considered, and would only lead the colony into a hopeless state of insolvency. Mr. Yogel replied, defending the Brogden contract, as exceptionally favorable to the colony. The contractors, indeed, were dissatisfied, and not anxious to proceed if held rigidly to terms. The Government preferred cash payments to guarantee, and would limit the latter to half a million. There was every probability of early remission or reduction of the American import duty on wool. For himself he was only anxious to see a just policy successfully worked out, and so long as this was done he cared not by whom. Mr. Gillies made a long attack' on the Government policy.

"The closiug of the Thames Company's books for the making of the present dividend, has brought to light a forgery by one of these absconders of transfer for five shares in that company, and a forgery on Tookey's for two shares has also been discovered." A petition, signed by upwards of 2000 parents and guardians of nearly 6000 children of various denominations, attending the schools of Otago, has been transmitted for presentation to the House of Representatives, praying that the present education system of Otago may not be interfered with. A Terrific Whirlwind has visited the Dunstan Flat, (Otago) doing considerable damage in demolishing a large barn, and wrenching from their foundations several huts. Large pieces of timber and iron, kerosine tins, and even stones were whirled up to a height of sixty to seventy feet in the air, and carried long distances across the flat. At Clyde also much damage resulted. In the examination of a bankrupt publicaa in the Supreme Court at Wellington the other day, the bankrupt stated as a reason for not keeping books, that they were worthless, as no money could be recovered for grog. The Post adds — " His Honor questioned bankrupt further on his knowledge of the law in this respect, and said he wished it was written up in large letters ou every public house in the colony that payment for driuk supplied in less quantity than £1 at a sitting could not bo enforced by law, owing to the operation of the Tippling Act. If landlords were only aware of this fact they would act differently, and there would be less drunkenness in the colony. In the debate on the second reading of the Married Women's Property Bill, Mr. Swauson said , " The power which now existed had been greatly abused. He knew, for instance, of a case where a wife was the owner of the land, cattle, and houses, aud tho husband carried on the business, rendered the accounts, and leased the property in his own name, and obtained credit to any amount ; but when payment was sought to be enforced, everything belonged to his wife. He hoped, if the Bill was to pass, that they would insist upon the words 'limited liability' being stuck upon the doorplates of all those loving couples who carried on business in this way." Money is becoming increasingly abundant, says the Australasian, and considerable difficulty is experienced, it is stated, in finding borrowers willing to pay 6 per cent, for loans on the mortgage of real estate. The decreasing trade of the port, in consequence of our fiscal policy, has led to a dimunition of the demand for mercantile accommodation; while the improvement which has taken place in the price of wool enables the squatters to be less dependent upon advances from the banks. Owing to the accumulation of money in these institutions, it is anticipated that a reduction of one per cent, will be made in the rate of interest allowed by the banks on fixed deposits. It appears that the Cerberus is at present possessed of a foe which, if not speedily dislodged or exterminated, may, at some critical period produce a very inconvenient state of affairs. The Vessel is, it seems, fairly given over to a horde of rats. The steering gear of the Cerberus is made of green hide, and is of unusual thickness, some six inches in diameter, and during her stay at Geelong, the rats ate into the steering ropes to such an extent that they had to be replaced by new ones. These were rove no later than the 14th inst., and on the passage up to Hobson's Bay on the following day, they parted from the same cause, and' no small delay was occasioned by another new set having to be supplied. The Cerberus did some good steaming — equal to 10 knots — and Captain Panter is more satisfied than ever with her performance. — Australasian. Burning of the Haymarket Theatre Melbourne. — The ugliest playhouse in Melbourne became a heap of ruins on the 22nd instant. After undergoing many vicissitudes, the Hay market, or Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, with the adjacent Apollo Hall, underwent that purgation by fire which seems to be the doom of all structures of this kind. From its erection to its dissolution a blight appeared to rest upon the place. It never prospered for any length of time; and although it is associated with recollections of Jefferson, Madame Celeste, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean, we do not suppose tbat its obliteration from tbe list •of our theatres will occasion any sentimental regrets in the public mind ; while the occupation of the site by an arcade or a meat market will constitute a more pleasing transformation than anything of the kind which has been witnessed on the Haymarket boards. — 'Australasian. A Costermonger, who was cruelly beating his donkey, was reprimanded by a lady, who asked him if he had "no mercy?" "No, mann," he replied, " only greens."