PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 199, 21 August 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Saturday. Colonel Trimble resumed the debate on the West Coast Settlement Bill, expressing entire approval. Mr Whitaker said he had just left Mr Sheehan, who was severely ill and quite unable to attend or speak. Mr Tomoana condemned the penal clauses of the Bill. Sir W. Fox expressed the gratification of the Commissioners at the manner in which their report had been received. Great care an3 discretion would be necessary to settle the difficulty. Mr Gisborne supported the Bill, but urged the Government to use great caution in forming settlements in disputed territory Mr Bryce replied, and the Bill was read a second time and committed. In Committee, several amendments were proposed, but the only important ones made were rendering the penal clauses non-retro-spective, and limiting their operation to three years from the close of the present Parliament. The Bill as amended was read the third time and passed. After some further debate, the House rose at 1.15 a.m. _ „ Monday. The House met at 11 a.m. Mr Rolleston moved the second reading of the Special Powers and Contracts Bill. Agreed to. Mr Rolleston moved the second reading of the Debtors and Creditors Bill. Agreed to. On the motion for the committal of the Bill Mr Bain and other members expressed the opinion that the Bill simply attempted to tinker with a very large question, and they would prefer seeing the measure withdrawn in order that the subject might be dealt with in a more comprehensive manner next session . Mr Rolleston said lhat, while he could support the Bill, he would leave it entirely in the hands of the House. A division was taken on the question of committal. Ayes 24, Noes 30. The Bill was thrown out . Mr Dick moved that the House agrees with the amendments by Legislative Council in the Otago Road Rates Validity Bill. Agreed to. The Impounding Bill was withdrawn. The Fencing Bill was further considered in Committee.

Mr Hall said that in consequence of the opposition of various members, the Government had resolved upon making the Bill merely permissive, so that it might only he brought into operation in such districts as it was considered suitable for. He moved an amendment to that effect empowering the Act to be brought into force on the requisition of the loc.ii bodies. After considerable discussion progress was reported and the House rose till 230.