LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 223, 4 September 1875, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

[Pbbss Agency.]

Welliugton, Friday. In the Legislative Council to-day,-on the motion of Dr. Menzies, a Select Committee was appointed to enquire into certain allegations wbich had been made respecting memoers of the Legislature during tho term of the present Parliament being interested in certain transactions with Government, involving payment of mone7, and granting pecuniary advantages to such members. Mr Bonsr moved the second reading of the Goldfleld's Amendment Bill, and said the object of the Bill was to provide just and equitable laws regulating the use of streams in goldfields. That £300 000 hid been spent by the General Government in constructing water races, the whole of which, ss well as as many works constructed by private enterprise, would be perfectly useless, and the whoW. mining interest would be destroyed if some such Act ss this was not passed. Dr Pollen supported the second reading, but tbe Government would take exception to some of the clauses. Mr Holmes opposed, and proposed the Bill should be read tbat day six months. Dr. Menzies supported the Bill. Mr Miller urged th«t the matter should stand over till next session. The second reading was ultimately carried by a mHJority of five. The debate on the second reading of th« Otago Waste Lands Bill was resumed by Dr. Pollen, who eaid be would endeavor to improve the Bill in Committee. Messrs Buckley and Waterhonse supported the Bill, and Col Brett opposed it. Mr Hart would reserve lhe right of proposing an ameddment in Committee. After a reply by Dr. Menzies. the Bill was read a second lime, and ths Council adjourned.