PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 189, 10 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Monday night. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Premier announced the change in the Governorship, and stated that Sir Hercules Bobinson would leave New Zealand at the end of this or the beginning of next month, The Premier, in moving that the House sit on Fridays and Mondays at 11 a.m. during the remainder of the session, stated that the Government had determined to drop the following measures, and asked for them to be discharged from the Order Paper:— Fisheries Bill, Education Reserves Amendment Bill, Public Entertaiuments Prohibition Bill, Cemeteries Bill, Auctioneers, Fire and Marine Insurance Companies Bill, Gaming and Lotteries Bill, and Peace Preservation Bill. It was proposed to deal with the following Bills, at the morning sittings: Counties Act Amendment Bill, High Schools Reserves Bill, Joint Stock Companies Act, 1860, Amendment Bill, -Brands and Branding Bill, Dogs Registration Bill, Fencing Bill, Impounding Bill, Land , Transfer Bill, and Rabbit Nuisance- Bill. The Licensing Bill he looked upon as a very useful measure, but he could make no promises regarding it. With regard to the Representation Bill, he had heard many members express an opinion that it was undesirable tp proceed with it this session. That, however, was not his opinion; for very many reasons he thought it desirable that that Bill should be pushed on this session. The Government were anxious this should be done, but it would depend entirely on the House whether it was passed or not. He would takethe earliest opportunity for moving the second reading, and then it would be Been whether it would be necessary to drop it. Upon this would depend the passing of the Regulations of Elections and Corrupt

Practices Bills, as if the Representation Bil was not passed this session, the other two would have to be postponed until next session. With regard to the Bills, which included the Native Land Court Bill, the Native Land Frauds Prevention Bill, the Native Succession Bill, the Native Land Sales Bill, the Native Lands Contract Act Validation Bill, the Native Lands Stamp Duties Bill, the Waikato Confiscated Land Bill, the Miscellaneous Native Claims Bill, tho Native Reserves Bill, Government scarcely hoped they would all become law this session. The Native Lands Court Bill had met with favor, and would doubtless be passed, and ifc was hoped the Native Lands Frauds Prevention, the Native Succession, and Confiscated Lands Sales Bills. The next class comprehended Bills which were absolutely essential finance measures for placing the finance of the country on a sound foetiug. These must be dealt with this session: they were the Property Assessment Act Amendment Bill, the Beer Duty Bill, the Deceased Persons' Estate Duties Bill, the Local Public Works Bill, and the Rating Act 1876 Amendment Bill. The motion was then put and carried. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. Tuesday, On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr Moss moved an amendment affirming the necessi'y for the election of a convention to devise means of providing for the re-establishment of local Government in the colony. Sir G. Grey and Mr Macandrew briefly supported and Dr. Wallis opposed the proposal. Mr Richardson then spoke to the original motion, criticising the Public Works Statement, and strongly condemning the system of railway management in' tbe South. He thought the Government should immediately inform the House of the reforms they intended to make. Mr Stewart then proceeded to defend Messrs Conyers and Blair from the imputations of the Civil Service report and Mr Saunders' speech in a previous debate. Mr Saunders, in a long speech, reiterated tbe charges made, and defended the Commissioners and their report. He contended that £107,500 a year could be saved in railway management alone. Mr Shrimski characterised the Civil Service Commissioners as private detectives. Mr George criticised the Railway Commissioners report, especially on the North of Auckland railway. They had neither gone over the country nor taken evidence in the district, and their report was in direct opposition to the engineer's evidence. Captaiu Colbeck said the Railway Commissioners report was utterly devoid of common sense, and if that was a specimen of Royal Comtnissioners'work, he said, Heaven Bave the country from any more of them. At one o'clock the debate was adjourned, and the House rose.