PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5208, 30 November 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, November 29. The Hon. Mr. NGATATA asked the Colonel .Secretary what progress -has been made in the translation of Mr. Mackay’s work on the Middle Island ? In reply, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore stated that an abstract had been translated into Maori by Mr. Baker, late interpreter of the Legislative Council, which was at present in possession of Mr. Stowe (Clerk to the Council), and would shortly be among the papers of the Council. The following Bills were read a third time, and passed ;—The Crown Eedress Bill, the Taranaki Smelting Works Land Bill, the Cemeteries Management Bill, the Lyttelton and Heathcote Becreation Ground Bill, and the Canterbury Beads Ordinance 1872 Amendment Bill. The following Bills were read a second time: —The Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill (the Hon. Colonel Whitmore—ordered to be committed presently); the Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration Bill (the Hon. Colonel Whitmore—ordered to be referred to the Waste Lands Committee); the Public Libraries Subsidies Bill (the Hon. Mr. Hall—ordered to be committed presently); the Mining Companies Act 1872 Amendment Bill (the Hon. Mr. Lahman—ordered to be committed presently); and the Grown Eedress Act 1871 Extension Act 1877 (the Hon. Mr, Mautell—Wednesday next.)_ The second reading of this Bill was moved by the Hon. Captain Eraser, but on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Miller the Bill was ordered to be read a second time that day three months, by a majority of 4, after a division. A message was received from the House of Representatives covering the following Bills, which were read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time next sitting day The Gisborne Harbor Board Act (the Hon. Mr. Johnson) ; the Waikato (Auckland) Rivers and. Port Endowment Act (the Hon. Dr. Pollen); .the Nelson Bifle Prize Act Amendment Act (the Hon. Mr. Edwards;; the Taranaki Roads and Bridges Ordinances 1858 and 1875 Amendment Bill (the Hon. Sir F. D. Bell) ; the Waste Lands Boards Continuance Bill (the Hon. Colonel Whitmore); and the Napier Swamp Nuisance Act Continuance Bill (the Hon. Colonel Whitmore). The Council then went into, committee on the Mines Bill and various other Bills, and afterwards adjourned till the usual hour next day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, November 29. Mr. FITZROY asked the Government, — Whether it is their intention to introduce a new Representation Act next session ? Also, whether, on the passing of such an Act, they will propose to ask for the dissolution of the present Parliament ? Sir GEORGE GREY said he had already intimated to the House that the Government would bring down a Representation Bill next session. He did not fully understand the last question. He could only say the Government would follow the usual constitutional course in such a case.. Mr. STEVENS asked the Minister of Justice, —Whether there is any truth in a report appearing in the public papers, that a man incarcerated in the Lyttelton Gaol, and pronouheed by the district medical officer to be a dangerous lunatic, was still allowed to remain an inmate of the gaol, although the medical officer had advised his immediate removal to the asylum, and repeated representations had been made to the authorities in Wellington to that effect 1 The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN replied that there was no foundation for the report. There was an obstreperous prisoner in Lyttelton Gaol. He had been examined by two doctors who pronounced him to be insane, and by two others who held an opposite opinion. The matter referred to the late Colonial Secretary, who was a medical man, and he was also of opinion that the prisoner was shamming ; and Dr. Skae, Inspector-General of Lunatic Asylums, examined the prisoner, and believed him to bo shamming. Major ATKINSON moved that it be 'an

instruction to the Public Accounts Committee to inquire into and report upon the conditions upon which Ministers vacate the Ministerial” residences during the session.—Agreed to. The Stamp Act Amendment Bill and the West Harbor Borough Mayoralty Election Validation Bill were introduced and read a first time. CIVIL LIST ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Sir GEORGE GREY moved the second reading of the above Bill. As the subject had already be;-n discussed he did not propose to speak at length upon it.—The Bill was read a second time, and on the motion for going into committee upon it Mr. Shrimski moved that it be committed that day three mouths. He did not think the present salaries of Ministers were too high.—Major Atkinson supported the amendment. It was absolutely certain that no gentleman fitted to occupy the position of Minister could live in this town on £IOOO a year. If they reduced the salaries the result would be that the selection of Ministers would be confined to gentlemen of large means, or those who were likely to live in lodgings.—The Hon. Mr. Reynolds was opposed to the Bill. If the present salaries were reduced the Ministry would have to be selected from gentlemen residing in Wellington.—The debate was adjourned. THE NAPIER SWAMP BILL. The Hon, Mr. SHEEHAN moved the suspension of the standing order, in order that the above Bill might pass through all its stages that day. as it was a matter of urgency. This was agreed to, and the Bill was read and passed. This Bill again came on for discussion later in the evening, and a large number of members spoke on it. The second reading was carried by the casting vote of the Speaker. The Bill was, however, lost in committee, on a motion by Mr. Rollestou, the numbers being 32 to 30. land bill. The above Bill was considered in committee, read a third time, and passed. The Greenwood Pension Bill, providing a pension of £l2O for the late Sergeant at-Arms, was read a second and third time, and passed. The House adjourned at 12.35.