PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 201, 21 August 1873, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

House of Representatives. Wellington, August 21. In the House yesterday, in reply to Mr Reid, the Minister of Works said, if the bill to meet she requirements of the coal

mines regulations, introduced by Mr Reid were pressed, Ministers would support it. In reply to Mr Ormond, Mr Vogel said that the Government would take the census as usual, and a vote would be put on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose. In reply to Mr Fox, the Native Minister said the Government would not introduce this session a bill tq give the Maoris an opportunity of being elected members of Provincial Councils. The following bills were read a first time:— To amend the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867 ; to ameod the Westland Waste Lands Act, 1870; to amend tbe Laws for the Protection of Animals ; to amend the Weights and Measures Act, 1868; aod the Immigrants' Laud Bill. Returns were ordered of the number, and other particulars, of the railway lines paid for out of the Public Works Loan in operation; and of the quantity and value of pig, bar, and railway iron and castings imported since 1870. A motion by Mr Bluett, to the effect that the Government bring in a Bill embodying the suggestions of the Committee on the importation of stock, was, after a discussion, withdrawn. In committee last night the disussion on tbe Licensing Bill was resumed. Clause 9, specifying what licences shall be granted was passed with the following amendment by Mr Rolleston, " and such may be provided for by any Act or Ordinance of the Provincial Council of the Province in which the house for wbich such license is to be granted is situated." Clauses 10, 11, 12, and 13, providing forms in wbich wholesale and retail licenses shall be drawn out for houses having only one bar opening to a public street, and for pocket license. Clause 14 passed with the paragraph struck out fixing the amount of fee to be charged for wholesale licenses. Clauses 15 and 16, regarding notices of applications for licenses and posting lists of same were passed . Clause 17, providing for licensing courts, was passed after a discussion. Clause 18, with seventeen subsections, fixing the constitution of courts, and numbers and mode of election of members, and other details, evoked warm discussion. As framed, it provided that the court should consist of not more than seven or less than three, including the presiding officer who was to be a magistrate for the district, to be elected by the inhabitants. After a long discussion, a motion by Mr T. L. Gillies was carried on a division by 17 to 13, for removing the elective principle, and making the courts nominanated by the Governor. Progress was then reported. A resolution from the committee regarding the Governor's Salary Bill was agreed to. Mr Macandrew gave notice to move the House into Committee to place ou the Supplementary Estimates £1500 for establishing communication between the East and West Coast of the Middle Island; also, that the import duties to be levied on goods from Victoria to cease when Victoria admits New Zealand Goodß free. In reply to Mr Tribe, the Minister of Works said that a provision existed in the Greymouth and Brunner Railway contract for payment of workmen in cash fortnightly. In reply again to Mr Tribe, the Minister said if this provision had not been complied with, the taking of any steps to enforce it should be left to the discretion of Government. In reply to Mr Murray, the Minister of Works said tbat the Government had received no communication regarding the reclamation of land near Moeraki jetty. In reply to Mr Murray, the Premier said that Judge Amey, while ActingGoverror, drew full salary as Justice and Governor till the loth of April, the date when the Governor left England for the colony, and full salary as Justice and half as Governor from that time till tbe arrival of the Governor. A Bill to enable tbe Superintendent of Otago to constrnct a branch line of railway from the Southern Trunk Railway to Green Island Coalfield was read a first time.