PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4832, 16 September 1876, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, September 15. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at half-past two o'clock. RESOLUTIONS. The Hon. Mr. NURSE moved,—For leave to lay on the table reports on the roads and works department in the province of Otago, including construction of .branch railways.— Agreed to. The Hon. Mr. MANTELL'S motion, for leave of absence for himself for a fortnight, lapsed in the absence of the hon. member. The Hon. Mr. ROLLESTON moved,— That this Council be informed whether the appointment of Sir Julius Vogel to the office Agent-General in London has been conSrmed.

The Hon. Dr. POLLEN said that as the Matter took the form of a resolution, he presumed it would be forwarded to the Government, when they could take steps to answer it. The Eon. Mr. ROBINSON'S motion—That there be laid on the table of the Council a copy of the conditions, instructions, and restrictions, if any, given, and also the amount of salary and allowances to be granted to the Agent-General—was withdrawn till a more favorable opportunity. The hon. member subsequently gave notice of similar motions for " c

The Napier Hospital Bill, Napier Athenasum Bill, Cromwell Racecourse Bill (after some discussion, the extent of the reserve—3oo acres —and the presence of publicans amongst the trustees being taken exception to) and the Native Grantees Act, 1873, Amendment Bill were read a second time. The last measure was referred to a select committee, after some debate, in which the Hon. Dr. Pollen opposed, and the Hons. Dr. Grace, Messrs. Robinson, Stokes, and the mover (Mr. G.R.Johnson) supported the Bill. THE HON. JOHN HALL. A message was received from his Excellency announcing that he had by a writ of summons, dated September 15, 1876, summoned the Hon. John Hall to the Legislative Council. The hon. gentleman'was subsequently sworn in. THIRD READING. The Christchurch Drainage Act Amendment Bill was read a third time. AMENDMENTS BY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The amendments made by the House of Representatives in the Juries Act Amendment Bill and the TaranaH Botanic Gardens Bill were agreed to. THE RATING BILL. The Hon. Mr. WATEEHOUSE moved the following addition to clause 3: —Provided that nothing herein contained shall have the effect of repealing any limitation to the extent of levying rate 3 at present imposed by law. — Agreed to. The Hon. Dr. MENZIES moved the following new 'clause: —Proceedings for the recovery of rates shall be commenced within two years from the time when such rate 3 first became due, and not afterwards. Progress wa3 reported before the clause had been affirmed or otherwise. MONDAY SITTINGS. The Public Works Bill having been formally committed and reported, the Hon. Dr. Pollen moved that the Council at its rising should ajjSurn to Monday, at 7.30 p.m. The Ouuncil then (5.30 p.m.) adjourned. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, September 15. Mr. REES commenced talking against time at half-past two a.m., and continued until 6.30 a.m., when an adjournment until 10.30 a,m. was taken. The House re-assembled at 10.30. In the absence of the Speaker, Mr. O'Rorke took the chair. . Mr. E.EES moved the adjournment o£ the House, and continued speaking till 1 o'clock, the Opposition in the meantime ineffectually endeavoring several times to get. a countout.

Mr. O'RORKE then said he should leave the chair for an hour. At 2.30 Mr. Bees resumed his speech, saying that s© far he had devoted his attention to preliminary points, and continued speaking until the dinner adjournment at half-past five.

The debate proceeded all the evening, Mr. Rees still speaking. At 10.10 Mr. Sharp called attention to there being strangers in the House, and on the question being put that strangers be ordered to withdraw he called for a division. The ayes were 5, and the noes 26. At 10 minutes to 1 Mr. Thomson followed. [Left sitting.]