PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 208, 1 September 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Tbe first portion of yesterJay'a Parliamentary proceedings will be found on thd fourth page."] m. ,. Wellingtow > This Day 9.« a.m. • lhe discussion on the Representation Bill still continues. Mr Speight spoke at lengtb against double voting and ft double franchise. Mr Reeves spoke from 1 1 .30 to 1a m on a variety of topics. The motion that the Chairman leave the chair was tben loat by 25 to 4. A motion by Mr Sheehan to report progres was lost by the same numbers, and another by Mr Taiaroa tbat the Chair' man leave the chair was lost by 22 to 4 Mr Reeves was speaking, quoting largely 'froni books, and ab.,ut two-third* of tbe members were sound asleep, when at 2.23 two distinct and smart shocks of earthquake wero felt causing the building to shake severely The effect was perfectly magical. The sleeping members jumped to their feet and all, headed by Mr Reeves, rushed frantically to the doors wbere they remained for a minute or two watching the effect on the lantern dome over the Chamber. As everything appeared safe they returned to their places and Mr Beeves resumed speakiog, saying that the occurrence was no doubt a special dispemai tion Bent in reßpect* of the evil paths int<*> which Parliament wasßtraying, and ha thereT fore moved to report progress. Loet' by 22 to 4. — Mr Sheehan also improved the occasion and moved tbat tbe Ch»irman lowe tbe chair. Lost by 23 to 4 —At 3 o'obcl, Mrßryc* relieved the Chairman. Mr; Reeves; after speaking for aome time, moved to report progress. Ayes 4, Noes 21. B.tweeq 4 and 6 o'clock five eimilar divisions tock place. At 6.56 wbeo.Mr Shephard relieved Mr Reeves, only 23 members were present, and most of them were asleep. Later on Mr Lundon was called to order by the Cbairrcai tot alluding to tbe schedules of ihe Bill

wto i be 1300I 300 " 011 ** B lhct the Chairman CA* L t IT - Thiß raling * 8a di8 * ,nted k j , heehan who said tbat Mr Seymour ,K,r.i U l ed _ hat the whole P° lic y cf lhe Bill couia be traversed on that motion. The actiDg Chairman, however, refused to alter ms ruling. On a division the motion to leave .the chair was lost by 20 to 6. The House' is still sittiDg. v. D . 11.35 a.m. Mr Pitt next took a ijim, and moved that Progress be reported. He spoke for an hour ana a half, dealiDg with almost all the items °v n (irder Paper to show why progress snould be reported. He concluded by stating toat if the reasons he bad given wero insufficient he would be hapcy to give a few more on another occasion. During hia remarks a quorum had to be rung up on about fourteen occasions; A division was taken at 930 on \ .\5 U€Bti ° n for reporting progress. Ayes ll p?. ' Mr Seddon tSen moved tbat ttie Chairman leave the chair, observing that ne could give good and sufficient reasons for the motion. He contended that if it came to lighting and bloodshed they had quite enough hghtmg power on the Weat Coast to whop both Otago and Canterbury. If tbose who were seeking to deprive them of their rights nad no scruibles of conscience in using evfery means to force this injustice, ihky need have no scruples about using every means to protect their rights. He then began to go over the Hokitika electoral roll, name by Dame, to show how the property qualification would affect tach man, T .. 2.30 p.m. In the course of his remarks Mr Seddon accused the Government of buying four Auckland votes two years agp. The Premier SaJd that if it fras tvoi-th while dbihg so, he could give that statement a complete denial. Mr beddon said the Premier could not possibly do so, as he (Mr Seddon), knew his handwriting, aiid hid, seen it attached to a Certain doctira^.. Mt Sfeddoii theh continued to read the Hokitika Electoral Roll, when Mr Oliver rose to a point of order as to whether it was competent for him to do so. Several other members also called attention to the I matter, but the Chairman ruled that Mr bedoon was in order, and he continued to go through the roll amidst frequent interruptions. The Premier snd Mr Macandrew spoke warmly against the scandalous waste of t|me that was taking plsce in the House. Air Macandrew said he should not raise any iurther points of order as he found it was a mistake, and thatit was best to leave the obstructionists to themselves. Mr Seddon ended a four hours' speech at 110, and Mr ljevestam is now speaking.