PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4794, 3 August 1876, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

WEDNESDAY, A.UQU3T 2. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. ADJOURNMENT. The Hon. < Colonel WHITMORE gave notice of a motion for the following day,— That this House do at its rising adjourn for fourteen days'. f PAFEB3.. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN laid some returns on the table. ;■: ■. WEWNOTON RESERVES BILL. • _ ; This Bill was further considered in committee. On clause. 2 the- Hon. Dr. Grace said, in reference to a'question ■which had been asked the previous day, that the tolls of the Waihenga bridge were not included in the lease mentioned. The clause was amended so as to limit the period of leasing the tolls referred to, and then passed. The Hon. Dr. Grace stated that the Chief Engineer of the province had certified to the correctness of the schedules. The remaining clauses of the Bill and the schedules were then agreed to; the Bill reported with amendment, and the third reading fixed for next day. CANIEKBORT EDUCATION RESERVES SALE AND LEASING BILL. The Hon. Mr. HALL moved the following new clause :—" No Crown grant of any of the lands d|jaribed :in the., first and second scJatipSK. nereto, which may have been made or vdi'ich may hereafter be made, shall be liable to be impeached set aside or corrected by reason of there being in force, at the time the lands included therein were reserved, any pre-emptive right over any part of the lands described in such Crown grants." Mr. Hall read a telegram from the Chief Surveyor, Canterbury, to the effect that the description of the reserves conveyed in the schedules was correct. ''*.'"■-'■■■.'■ The clause was agreed to, the Bill reported, and the third reading fixed for next day. REOULATION OF LOCAL ELECTIONS BILL. The debate on the motion of the Hon. Dr. Pollen for the excision of Colonel Whitmore's clause, authorising proxy voting, was resumed by the Hon. Mr. Robinson.—The Hon. Captain 3?rAsER supported, and the Hon. Colonel Brett opposed the clause. The Hon. Mr,: Acland stated that voting by proxy had at one time been the law in Canterbury.—The Hon. Mr. Bonar thought that the clause would open the door for bribery and corruption. It would destroy the system of voting by ballot. By introducing proxy voting, one clas3 would be placed under the tyranny of another. He should support the striking out of the clause.—The Hon. Mr. Johnson thought the clause might be amended bo as to get rid of the objections urged._ He would move to that effect at a later period The Hon. Mr. Stokes did not approve of the clause. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN, replied on the general question, and repeated his former objections to proxy voting. The clause, introducing an important innovation, had only been carried by a majority of one. That was a reason to justify its being again brought under the consideration of the Council. He trusted that the Council would agree with him and erase the clause. ■ , A division was taken, which resulted—Ayea, 13 ; noes, 11. The following is the division list : AYES. Captain Baillie Colonel Kenny Mr. Paterson Colonelßrett Mr.lahman Dr Pollen Sir Bonar Mr. Mantell Major Richmond Dr" Grace Dr. Menzles Mr. "Waterhouse Mr. Hall NOES. Mr. Aciand Captain Fraser Mr. Scotland Mr. Chamberlin' Mr. Nntse Mr. Stokes Mr. Gray Mr. Pharazyn Col. Whitmore Mr. G. E. Johnson Mr. Robinson In committee the clause' was accordingly struck out. The Bill was then reported, the third reading being fixed for Tuesday next. The Hon. Mr. G. R. JOHNSON gave notice of his intention to introduce a newclause. hawse's bat rivers bill. This Bill wa3 read a third time, and passed. The Council then (4.35 p.m.) adjourned.