PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 177, 27 July 1880, Page 2

PARL I AMENTA RY.

Wellington, Monday eight. The House met at 2-30. Mr Barren gave notice that be would ask whether the Government intended to reserve Crowrl lands in accordance with sections 350 and 351 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, for the more adequate endowment of boroughs unfairly treated in that respect, Mr Beeves presented a petition from the brewers in Ohristchurch against the imposition of the tax on beer, and Mr Ballance presented a similar one from the brewers in Wanganui. Mr Thompson gave notice that he would ask the Government as to when it was proposed to bring the session to a close, and what bills it was proposed to pass before the prorogation. Mr Seddon moved a motion affirming the desirability of a Commission being appointed to enquire into the administration of goldfields and the laws relating thereto. The motion was put and carried. Mr Hall moved, that, for the remainder of the session Government business tske pre-

cedence on Wednesdays. The estimates, he expected, would be completed on Wednesday, and the Public Works Statement would be brought down early next week. They would get through certain Bills of political and social importance, and bring the session to a close about the end of August. Mr Murray hoped they would not be asked to pass the Public Works estimates until the Public Works Statement was before them. Mr Macandrew moved as an amendment, that after the Orders of the Day on Wednesday, Government business t?ke precedence for the, remainder of the session. Mr Hall said this would involve a long and unnecessary debate on the motion set down for that day that the names of Sir George Grey and Mr Hamlin be expunged from the Native Affairs Committee, ana he could not consent to the amendment. Sir George Grey denied that the motion would entail any loss of time, and hoped that an opportunity would be afforded him for relieving himself from the discharge of a serious duty he could not fulfil with justice to himself. The House divided on the amendment. — Ayes, 28 ; Noes, 37. The origiual motion was carried . The Treasury Bills Bill passed through Committee, was read a third time and passed. On the motion for goiug in Committee of Supply, Mr M'Donald moved that a tax of Is per bushel be imposed on maize imported into the colony. The motion was withdrawn ou the recommendation of Major Atkinson that the matter be remitted to the Committee on Agriculture. Sir George Grey referred to the Patetere Block transaction, and after reviewing it, stated that the proposed sale was a most illegal act, and that he would move for a Committee to enquire into all the facts of the case. Mr Bryce denied that the proposed sale was irregular, and stated he would give every assistance to have matters inquired into by a Select Committee. ; Mr Sheehan also defended the sale, stating that it was for the good of the Auckland district that the land should be opened up. The Maoris would make the best out of the transaction, as the purchasers would not make more than 5 per cent upon their money. A motion for going into Committee was carried. Legislative Department: item, "Librarian £300," passed. The House adjourned at 5.30 p m. Tuesday., Last night, after some discussion without any result over the Hansard vote, the remaining items of the Legislative Department were passed without substantial alterations. The Treasury ; Property Tax; Miscellaneous; Customs, Stamp; and Harbor Departments passed with only the reductions proposed by the Government, among them being the omission of the vote for audit of County and Road Boards accounts £2700^ and weather reports £1070. On the Education vote a long debate took place. Mr Rolleston moved the reduction by £31,000 which he proposed save by enforcing greater ecoromy on the part of the Education Boards without crippling the School Committees, and the omission of the vote for libraries. He defended the education system. Mr McCaughan protested against such large expenditure on education in the present financial state of the colony, and moved that the vote be reduced by £50,000. Mr Pyke strongly condemned the present system of education and said that tho people were anxious to pay the fees. Messrs Bo wen, Montgomery, Saunders, and others defended the present system, and at one o'clock progress was reported and the House adjourned.