PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 477, 8 November 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, November 8,

In the Legislative Council yesterday, Colonel Whihnore stated that in a fewdays the Ministry would be in a position to advise liis Excellency to prorogue, whereon Dr. Pollen, with one of his bland smiles, remarked that, according to appearances, nobody cou.'d foretell the course matters were likely to take. The Wyndham Recreation Reserve Act was read a first time, and the StrathTaieri and Clyde Railways Bill was read a first time.

In the House of Representatives jesterday afternoon, in reply to a question, Mr. Sheehan said that a Bill would be introduced next session to amend defects in the Counties Act.

Mr Gisborne explained that he being too unwell to be present in the House, had arranged to pair in favour of the noconfidence motion, and was surprised that the arrangement had not been carried out.

Mr. Stout rose to explain that the Government had expressed themselves quite willing to pair, but it was ruled by the Speaker that no reference to pairing should be made in the House.

Mr. Sheehan expressed a hope that parly contests were over for the session, in which case the Government saw their way to prorogue early the week after tnxt.

Major Atkinson immediately gav« 7>ntice of a want-of-conhdence motion for to-morrow.

Mi-. Sheehan said t !> at the business of tlie session wouid nevertheless be proceeded with, Jiiid that the onus of obstruction \vi 11 kl lay with the Opposition. At the evening sitting, a good deal of business was got through. Several Bills were passed, and a number read a second time.

In Committee on the Local Option Bill, Mr. Ballance introduced a new clause providing for compensation when a license is taken away by operation of tiie Act. Mr. Fux, in pursuance of a promise that if a compensation clause were introduced he would abandon the Bill, moved that progress be reported. The Bill is understood to be finally abandoned. The House rose at 1.0 o'clock.