PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 190, 11 August 1879, Page 2

PAR LI AMENTA RY.

HOUSE. Wellington, Saturday night. The House met this morning. Mr Seymour brought up the report of the Standing Orders Committee, recommending that Committees of Supply, and of Ways and Means, sit for granting supplies immediately after the address in reply is brought up and agreed too. The report was adopted, and the recommendation ordered to be embodied in the Standing Ordera. The Minister for Public Works laid on the table papers showing the railways opened and under contract during the past year, with the lines surveyed ; also maps and reports under the Railways Construction Act 1678 ; also papers referring to the Thames- Waikato railway. Mr Russell a3ked whether the Commissioner of Railways Circular No. 25 applied to all grades employed on the New Zealand railways, and why the employees of the department were placed at a grievous disadvantage, as compared with other branches of the public service. Mr Macandrew said the regulation only referred to the payment for overtime, but the matter was under revision, and an alteration might be made to meet the circumstances brought under notice. Mr Kelly asked whether the Governmeut will give effect to the recommendation of the Petitions Committee in the case of Samuel Phillips, who was found to have been wrongfully dismissed from the public service. The Minister for Lands said he would make himself acquainted with the circumstances of the ease, and if necessary would have a further inquiry into the matter. Mr Richardson asked whether the Government wili take into consideration the advisability of making provision for a residence for the Governor at Christchurch. The Pre-nier said he was informed at too late a period of the session to discuss this matter. The Premier obtained leave to introduce a Bill entitled the "Maori Prisoners Act," empowering the Government to extend the time for the trial of the Maori prisoners, and a " Peace Preservation Bill " affecting the condition of affairs on the West Coast. A good deal of discussion ensued on the second readings, it being contended on one hand that they were arbitrary and tyranical, and on the other that they were absolutely necessary for the Maoris as well as the Europeans. The Bills were read the second time. The " Peace Preservation Bill " provides that the Resident Magistrate may have power to commit to custody any person who may wilfully attempt to occupy or " improve " any confiscated land. The " Maori Prisoners Bill " provides that the native prisoners now confined in Mount Cook gaol may be kept in custody nntil the end of next session. Monday. The Legislative Council threw out the " Peace Preservation BUI."