PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 246, 7 October 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wellington, Friday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The Premier announced that he proposed going into the Estimates at 7.30. when he would deliver a Supplementary Financial Statement, and afterwards go on with the Government and financial measures.

The Counties Bill was recommitted, and the greater part of the afternoon was occupied in discussing what should be the qualification of a County Chairman.

The following proposal was carried by one vote— That members of the House should not be disqualified, and that electors of outside counties and boroughs should be eligible. The debate was interrupted by 5.30.

Midnight. The discussion on the boundaries of the Counties Bill is being kept up in the House so keenly that there appears no likelihood of the Statement being made to-night, for no other business will be considered until the Counties Bill is through committee.

Saturday. In the House early this morning, the Counties Bill having gone through Committee, a motion was made that it be read the third time.

Mr Stout moved the adjournment of the debate in order to have the amendments in the Bill printed, but this was lost by 29 to 18. Then began a series of formal protests against the third reading. The following members spoke in strong terms in condemnation of the Bill, predicting confusion and wide-spread dissatisfaction from its operation:— Sir G. Grey, Messrs Be Latour, Hodgkinson, Bees, lleid, Henry, Sheehan, Burnes, Rolleston, 11. Wood, W. Wood, and Stout.

Mr Header Wood moved another adjournment, and Mr W. Wood proposed that the Bill be read that day six months, but both were lost.

Ultimately, at 2-20 this morning, the third reading was carried by 37 against 16. The House then adjourned till 230 this afternoon, when Government business only will be transacted.

The supplementary Financial Statement was not delivered.