PARLIAMENTARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 242, 3 October 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. "Wellington, Monday. The House met at 2..0 p.m. to-day. In reply to Captain Morris, Mr G. M'Lean said, the Government intended to er__t a lighthouse on the East Cape Island, but they ■could not go on with any new lighthouse until •they _wl erected all those already ordered. On the motion for introducing the Napier Harbor Board Bill, Mi Bunny protested •against the passing' of sixteen Harbor Board Kills, especially when members had not an opportunity of consi<jL.ring them, inasmuch, as so far as he could see, -hoy were not printed. He objected to dealing with I;H Is like these which alienated the public estate and gave powers to borrow. If the Provincial Governments had been given the same borrowing powers a few years ago, these very works

would hare been carried out by this time. The premier explained that the bill had been distributed long ago, in any case whatever became of other Bills this one at least was of such a nature that it ought to be passed. Mr Rolleston thought as these Bills were the direct outcome of the Abolition Bill, the Government ought to be answerable for ali these Bills and stand by them as a whole. Mr Bowen explained that what actiou had been taken iu regard to bringing these Bills before the House, had been done at the wish of the House, and with a view to facilitate the business, but tbat each Bill would have to be judged by itself, aud stand upon its own merits. Mr R. Wood thought this was a rather a cumbrous mode of legislation, and that the Government ought to have brought down one large Harbor Board Bill, instead of allowing individual members to introduce different bills and let those who could scramble through with their measures. Mr G. M'Leau said the Government had considered the matter carefully, and were of opinion that they had selected aproper course, for this session, at any rate. They were considering a general harbor board measure The Government had considered the endowments they were prepared to support, and would notify their views in committee. Sir George Grey hoped the Government would bring down a list of the endowments they were prepared to support. (Hear hear from the Premier.) Mr Sharp advocated the withdrawal of all the Bills, but Mr Rowe strongly opposed this view. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed for Thursday. On the motion, of for the second reading sf the Castlepoiut Harbor Bill, Mr Bunny again made a strong speech against going on with these Bills, but Mr G. M'Lean explained that the Government had sanctioned the second reading on condition that the endowment clause be struck out, and as the Bill contained no borrowing power he hoped no objection to its second reading would be taken. BiU read a second time, and to be committed on Thursday. The Harbor Boards Bills for tho following places were ordered to be read a second time and committed on Thursday next:— Napier, Castle Point, Thames, Oamaru, Riverton, Bluff, Lytteiton, Waugauui, Hokitika, Patea, Waimakariri, Moeraki, Wellington, Eoxton ; also the Elicsmcre and Forsyth Reclamation, and Akaroa Railway Bill. In Committee ou the Counties Bill, clauses 51 to 62 were passed without material alteration. Clause 62 (annual meetings for election of chairman), an amendment motion that councils should fix the time for the annual meetings was lost by 33 to 15. The date for fixing the annual meeting was altered from the third Wednesday in November to the fourth. Clause as amended, was passed by 29 to 18. The Speaker left the chair at 5*30. Legislative Council business unimportant. Tuesday. From the time the House resumed until 1.30 this morning it was in Committee on the Counties Bill. After a great deal of discussion, Clause 62 (which depends upon the Financial Arrangement Bill a measure not yet passed) was postponed. The House then got as far as 119 (appointment of auditors by Governor) which meeting with a great deal of opposition in favor of an independent audit it was passed by. Clause 120, regarding the accounts, led to a good deal of discussion, a few holding that the system laid down was too complicated, but the majority thought the plan simple enough, and the clause passed as printed It was decided after a division that the accouuts should be balanced in March and September of eachyear. At Clause 128, Sir G. Grey declined to proceed any further, saying that he was worn out, but the House resolved to go on by 28 to 10. After reaching clause 132 progress was reported.