PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 205, 27 September 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Weluxgtox, Thursday night. In the House the Te Aro Reclamation Bill was shelved by the report of the Committee declining to suspend Standing Orders, Mr Macandrew informed the House that the railways north and south of Christchurch were injured by the flood, and that two spans of the Rangitata Bridge of 120 feet were carried away. Free passes to volunteers or members of fire brigades on duty were promised. The report on the Electoral Bill was brought up. Major Atkinson proposed that the Bill be re-committed for the consideration of clauses 5, 17, 18, and 24. Mr Stout opposed the re-committal as unnecessary, the matter having been fully debated. Mr McLean opposed the adoption of the report because insufficient time had been given to consider the Bill as amended. Mr Gisborne thought delay would be useless because the third reading would be later on when the chole subject would be redebated. Messrs Rolleston, Bowen, Stout, Sulton, Sheeban, McLean, Douglas, Fox, Swanson, Atkinson, Rees, Fitzroy, Tole, and Tawiti spoke on the subject. The debate was interrupted by 5.30. Mr Fitzroy asked the Government when the return re the Hinemoa, asked for on August 2nd, would be furnished. " The Premier said that unforeseen difficulties had occurred in furnishing the return asked for, but that no unnecessary delay would take place in completing it. Friday. At 7.30. the House resumed on the Electoral Bill, and after some discussion the report of the Committee on the Bill was carried on the voices, and the third reading was fixed for to-day. The House then went into Committee on the Land Tax Bill. Before proceeding with the business, considerable discussion ensued, and ultimately the Committee got as far as clause 11, which was amended a3 follows :— " Improvements to mean homes and buildings, and to include fencing, planting, draining of lands, laying down in grass or pasture, and any benefit which is unexhausted at the time of valuation."

Progress wa3 reported, and the House adjourned at 2.5. a.m.