PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 277, 3 December 1879, Page 2

PARL IAM ENTARY.

HOUSE. I Wellington, Tuesday night. j The Standing Orders Committee reported that the House should not sit after 12 or 12 30 on any night. The report will be considered to-morrow. Mr Dick gave notice to move that the House sit ob Saturdays for the remainder of the session. In reply to a question, the Premier said it would be a gteat advantage if the Governor could be induced to visit the centres of population, such as Dunedin and Christ church, but the Government could not see their way to make ueeeasary for his accommodation. In reply td Mr George, Mr Bryce said he did not believe Hiroki had been seen as alleged. There was no reward offered for his capture. The Government 'could not at present dispense with the services of the large force now on the West Coast, but hoped to do so at an early date. The resolutions were reported from the Committee of Supply. On the subject of the recommittal of the item on the Estimates " Expenses of members," which had been reduced ten per cent, several members urged that, the reduction having been fairly discussed when made, the question should not now be reopened. Mr Pyke supported the recommittal of the item, ac d deprecated the cheap patriotism sought after by those who opposed the reconsideration of the Bubject. He considered that members were very ill paid. — After some further discussion the item was recommitted, and on the House going into Supply the amount was restored to the original item on the Estimates by 37 against 26. An Imprest Supply Bill for £250,000 for salaries and expenses to the 30th June, was passed. The Land Bill was recommitted, and certain amendments made. The House adjourned at 5-30. Wednesday. Tbe House resumed at 7.30. The principal businass was in Committee on the Land Bill, the following additions being proposed by Mr Rolleston :— Section 1 1 ; to add thereto, " Provided that, in caae of land 3 sold on deferred payment since the Ist January, 1878, the payment of the aforesaid one-third shall cease as coon as by such payments, together with any payments previously made, the total amount of one-third of the price of the land has been paid over." —Section 27 : To add to the first paragraph, " Provided that the conditions of tbe occupation, and the price to be paid for the lands witbiu the settlement by the persons placed thereon by the contractor shall be submitted to and approved by the Governor before any such contract as aforesaid shall be executed." — Section 27 : To add to the second paragraph " Every person placed on any lands as aforesaid by any contractor who has forfeited the conditions of his occupation shall thereon be entitled to a grant direct from the Crown, for the land he has become entitled to in respect of his occupation." —Agreed to. An amendment was proposed by Mr Pyke to the effect that settlers be allowed to take np land to the extent of 320 acres. — Ayes 25Noes 39. The Bill was reported with amendments when Sir G. Grey moved that it be recommitted, with a view to the addition of further new clauses affecting immigrants. The motion for re-committal was carried by 35 to Mr Seddon moved that clause 28 be struck out. Another division was taken, and tbe clause was expunged by 39 to 25. It ran as follows :-The Governor may make such rebate in prices of land as he Bball see fit in respect of adult parsons introduced from the United Kingdom and at the expense of any contractor under the last foregoing section : Provided that the amount of such rebate shall in no case exceed ten shillings per acre: Provided also that the total rebate shall not exceed £20 for each statute adult. The Bill then passed. The remainder of the sitting was passed in committee on the Land Grant Empowering Bill.