PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 264, 7 November 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPKESENTATIVES. Wellington, Tuesday. The House met at 230 this afternoon. The Speaker called on the want of confidence debate. No one rose to speak. He then put the question, aud the ayes and noes were taken, when Mr il'Lean rose and commenced to speak, replying to Mr Larnach's figures. He contended that Mr Larnach, in estimating the liability of the colony, added many items wiiicU were already taken into account by

Major Atkinson; in fact, all Mr Laraach's figures were in Major Atkinson's statement. He wa3 continuing to speak, when The Speaker ruled that the voices having been taken, it was too late to continue the debate. Messrs M'Lean, Reid, and Atkinson all attempted to speak, and the latter continued on his legs after the Speaker had ordered him to resume his seat. A most disorderly scene ensued, there being cries of "Adjourn," "Order," and "Chair," from the Government side chiefly. The Speaker at last cried out, " I will put the question, despite this unseemly interruption," and a division was taken, which resulted in a tie, 39 on each side. The Speaker said he would give his casting vote against Major Atkinson'3 motion, so as to give the House a further opportunity to know its mind. Major Atkinsou then moved— Mr Reynolds' amendment having become a substantive motion— that the following words be added, " That the Government not having a majority, the House is of 6piuion that they should resign." It was objected that Major Atkinson could ndt do this, but the Speaker ruled that he could. He, however, handed the amendment over to Mr M'Lean, who continued his speech previously interrupted, criticising Mr Larnach's figures, defending the conduct of the Opposition, and moving the amendment. A long discussion arose on the point whether the words proposed to be added were not identical in meming with those already negatived, and also whether they were not contradictory to the terms of Mr Reynolds' motion. The Speaker expressed an opinion in favor of both objections, but asked till 730 before giving an absolute ruling. The Opposition members absent when the division wa3 taken wera Messrs Gisborne, Johnston, and Travers. Wednesday. The House met at 7-30 last night. The Speaker ruled that Mr M'Lean's amendment was iuadmiaaable and out of order. Mr Reynolds' amendment as a substantive motion was then put. A division was called for, but after the doors had been locked the Speaker declared that the noe3 had it, aud | this decision not being challenged, Mr Reynolds' amendment was therefore negatived. The following new Bills were introduced: — Electric Telegraph Act Amendment Bill (Mr Fisher), Borough of New Plymouth Endowment Bill (Mr Kelly), Public Health Act Amendment Bill (Mr Moorhouse), Timaru Harbor Board Land Bill (Mr Stafford), Disqualification Act Amendment Bill (Sir G. Grey). Mr Fox, withont notice, asked the Premier whether any communications had passed between Ministers and the Governor ou the privilege question, and, if so, when the House would be informed of the result. Sir G. Grey replied that communications were still passing, and so soon as the matter ceased the House would be informed what had taken place. The Council's amendments in the Wanganui Harbor Bill were agreed to. The following Bills were read the second time: -Disqualification Bill (No. 1), Waikouaiti Harbor Board Bill, VVaikouaiti Harbor Board Endowment Bill, Lotteries and Art Unions Bill, Waikouaiti Athenaeum Bill. The following were read the third time: — Queenstown Athenaeum Bill and Riverton Public Schools Bill. Progress was reported in Committee on the Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Bill and the Strath-Taieri and Clyde Railway Bill passed through the Committee, as did also the Riverton Harbor Board Endowment and Borrowing Bill and the Pates Harbor Board Act Aruendraet Bill. The House rose at 12-45 a.m.