PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 175, 25 July 1874, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, July 24. In the House of Representatives today, the Colonial Bank cf New Zealand Bill was read the second time. ~ The Premier, in reply lo a question from Mr O'Conor, said that the de- ■ partment were not in the possession of sufficient information to extend telegraph communication to No-Town, Grey Valley. . Mr Harrison asked if the Government could not dispense with ths condition of signed covers of newspaper exchanges. The Premier thought the objection and trouble might be removed by stamping, and he would endeavor to do 80. In reply to a question from Mr Pyke, the Premier said he would move for a Select Committee to enquire into the whole question of members' allowances. .- The following bills were passed: — Electric Teleeraph Act Amendment, and Government Insurance and Annuities Bills— . Amongst the new bills introduced ' was the Naval Training Schools Establishment Bill. The House went into Committee of Supply, and agreed to the following items, all showing a general increase npon those of last year :— Legislature, £23,840; Executive, £16,815, Stamp Department, £3,580; printing, £9,670; stone printing, £535; geological and meteorological, £3216; electoral, £3470; Crown lands, £1,914 15s; Department of Justice, £119 8s; Crown law office, £1160; Supreme Court, £7155} District Court, £5610. Considerable discussion ensued upon the remarks ef tbe Premier that it -would be a boon to the Colony if a Surveyor-General were appointed, several members thinking it would be the first step towards the General Government assuming the control of the waste lands of tbe colony.