PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 237, 17 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE. Wellington, Thursday. In replying to Colonel Trimble, Mr Hall said the sums of £120, £20, and £250 had been paid to Jones of Mokau for services rendered to the Government at Mokau, though there was nothiog to show the specific nature of the engagement. A discussion ensued as to whether the papers should be laid on the table and printed. Mr Sheehan said he would explain the matter at the proper time. Some of the Opposition members took exception to such a mode of eliciting information, characterising it as insidious. Mr Gisborne said the practice had been much abused by late Ministries. Mrßryce, replying to Colonel Trimble, said the Government had advanced £864 on the Hannah Mokau, and a subsidy of £.300 a year was promised, but eight mouths of the subsidy had been withheld in consequence of nou compliance with the conditions. The steamer had been seized at one time, and the Government paid £100 each on account of ttewi's and Wetere's shares. Mr Hall, replying to Colonel Trimble, promised that the Taranaki Volunteers should be armed with breech-loading rifles. Mrßryce, replying to Colonel Trimble, said the Government promised they would not interfere with Joshua Jones trying to acquire a lease of a large tract of land to the north-east of Mokau from the Datives. The surveyors were now surveying the boundaries under instructions from the Government. Mr Oliver, replying to Mr Sutton, said that £12,445 had been paid to Gutbrie and Larnach for railway material. The arrangement had been open to public competition. If r Beetfcani moved for a Select Committee to report upon the election petition .from Tauranga against the return of Mohi Tawhai on the ground of bribery, and being at the time in receipt of Government pay. Tho election took place on September Bih, and his resignation of the office was not sent in until the 11th. He disclaimed that this was the resu.l,t of party warfare. Air Sheeijaa £aid it was to punish Tawhai for not voting wito tfc,e hon gentleman's party. He denied that the Government bad exercised any influence in the election C/t my Native member. He objected to the constitution pf. the Committee. The proper thing to do was ty pa*s a Qualification Act, and not to thrust from the i£ouse one who was distinguished for all that wu ppble amongst tys oivn people, because fye was in receipt of a paltry £50 per annum. The debate on the niatter continued till 5..50. There was a general expre3ojon of opinion that the petjtjou should pc/l be dealt with in a party spirit. Friday. Last night Major Atkinson wished taqjtfve that the Standing Orders be suspended no that the House may go into Committee of Supply, but iv moving this he wished to explain the object sougut, and he expressed the hope that the other side would not use the opportunity to thwart theoj. Mr Macandrew said the Opposition bad not the slightest intention of stopping supplies, but he would ouiy consent on tbe distinct understanding tbat their side of the House would have the opportunity of expressing tbe;r grievances on the following day. Major Atkinson deciiucd to give any such pledge. Mr Mac*ndrew moved the adjournment of tbe House. Major Atkinson opposed the adjournment, and accustd the Opposition of wasting time, and said tbat no obstruction would wake tkfi Government give way. Mr Turnbull said the Government, as a minority, tried to rule the majority. The debate was kept up till the usual hour for adjournment, the Government members accusing the Opposition of obstructing the busiuess and wasting time, and Jhe Opposition Qji the other hand accusing the Gorsrnment of holding tbeir seats unconstitutionally. The House adjourned about eleven, barely a quorum being present .during the greater pwt of the time.