PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 194, 17 August 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Thursday. The House met at 2-30 this afternoou. Mr Reid stated that a clause would be introduced in the Surveys Bill to quiet titles in Canterbury by reconciling surveys with ' Crown grants. ] A little scene occurred in the House over a motion to give effect to the report of the Petitions Committee on the Hon Mr Russell's petition last session about a road line. The debate drifted into a general one about the Hawke's Bay land transaction. Some warm words occurred between Mr Ormond and Sir George Grey. Major Atkinson then challenged Sir George to put his charges in writing, and they would force him to prove his words in the Supreme Court. Mr Rees said he would do so, and challenged the Government to appoint a Committee to enquire into the transaction. Sir Robert Douglas advised members not to abuse each other in the House, but to settle their differences outside. The discussion then reverted to the original question. Ultimately the Government assented to the motion, on the understanding that they were considering the whole questiou of resuming power to take five per cent of the land for roads even after ten years abeyance, without reference to Mr Russell's case particularly. Ona motion by Mr Murray, Mr Ormond stated that the Government intended to absolutely forbid all private practice or outside work ou the part of Government officers. On Mr Easting's motion— that Counties being unable to provide for the maintenance ■ and construction of main arterial roads, the Government should provide for the same. Mr Reid said he thought that by furtherborrowing powers beiug given, local bodies could do these works. It was not desirable that the House should distribute money for such works. It was far better that the Counties should do it. The debate was interrupted by 5-30. tt t t tt Friday. Upon the House resuming last night, Mr Wbitaker drew attentiou to au article in the Oamaru Mail of the 13th of August, reflecting on him in connection with the Native Lands Bill. Its alleged facts were pure fictions, and he knew nothing of them. The whole thing was entirely false and untrue. After a long discussion a motion was passed declaring the article a breach of privilege, and ordering George Jones, jun , the printer and publisher, to attend at the bar of the House. Messrs Travers, Wakefield, Fox, and others urged that a severe example should be made Messrs Stout, Thompson, and Reynolds thought the House should accept Mr Whitaker's statement, and letter the matter drop. The debate on the Native Lands Bill was resumed by Mr Takomana, who spoke strongly against the Bill. He urged that the Government having failed to propose a satisfactory measure the Maoris should now prepare a Bill. Messrs Tawiti aud Hone Nahe spoke in favor of allowing the Bill to drop. Mr Howe strongly condemned its provisions. ! Mr Hunter urged giving time to the Government to consult the natives. Mr Bryce made several suggestions regardJ ing the character of the legislation required, and regretted that Mr Ballance's amendment was not accepted.. No one else speaking, the motion as amended | was passed as follows without a division or opposition:— "That the order of the day be discharged to enable the Government to give effect to the amendment of the hon member for liangitikei, now pending, as an amendment to the order of the day for the second reading of the Bill.'" The Auckland Grammar School Site, New River Harbor Board Management, Conveyancing Ordinance Amendment, and New Plymouth Harbor Board Amendment Bills were read the second time. The Dunedin Drill Sheds Reserves, :and InvercargUl Gasworks Loan Bill were read the third time and passed. The House adjourned at 12-15.