PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 761, 18 September 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

AVkllin'gtox, September 17. In the Legislative Council to-day, after " the transaction of some formal business, 'Colonel Whitraove, in reply to Mr. Waterhouse as to the Ta'panui-vVaipahi railway, ' said such a contract had been let. Autho- ! rity would be sought, in the schedule to the Railway Bill, which would shortly be brought in, There was no money to be " paid on account of it for some two years. Colonel VVhitmore said that despatches to the Governor which had been received 1 would be presented next day. Colonel Whitmore, in reply to Mr. Hall, 1 said that the Counties Map could be procured from all the principal booksellers in the Colony. The Municipal Corporations Bill was ' read a second' tira.p almost without comment. The Repeal Bill and the Administration Bill were advanced a stage.' Another adjourned debate on the Coun- ' ties Act has been further postponed till ' liext day. ; The Council were in Committee on the Dog Registration Bill when i} o'clock arrived. 1 The House of Representatives met at ■2.30 p.m. Mr. Barff presented a petition from 400 Catholics, praying for Government aid to their schools ; and Mr. Tole presented a similar petition from the Auckland Provincial District. Mr. Montgomery gave notice of an amendment in the Electoral Bill, to prevent electors voting in more than one electoral district, with various other disqualifications. Mr .graason asked the Government . whether they inipnd to take steps to regulate the laying out of tcwn« by private persons; so that a proper portion of such towns be set asidej in the most suitable places in them, for such purposes as the following, yiz., endowments in'" aid of local rates, reserves in and around the town for health and recreation, proper space for school and playgrounds : si,tes

for mechanics' institutes, museums, townhalls, court houses, post, telegraph, and police offices ; reformatories, fire brigade stations, drill sheds, etc. ; proper provision for the width of streets, water 3upply, drainage, and generally that suitable provision is made for the health and good government of the inhabitants. Mr Stout said the Government had no power to take steps to carry out what was required, unless authorised by the House. When the present Act passed through the House, a provision for that purpose was struck out. They would, however, consider the matter during the recess. Several Bills were introduced and read a first time.

Mr Fitzroy asked the Government when the return asked for on the 2nd August last, showing the total cost of the working and maintenance of the Government steamer Hinemoa, from Ist December, 1877, to 30th June, 1878 ; also the return giving the .names of those persons other than his Excellency and staff and Ministers who during the aforesaid period travelled in the Hinemoa at the expense of the Colony will be laid before the House.

The Premier said very great difficulty had been experienced in obtaining the information asked for, but it would be obtained as soon as possible and laid on the^abljK The Jtlous.e resumed the consideration in committee of the Electoral Bill at clause 16, which passed unaltered. In clause 17, providing who shall be entitled to vote, Mr. Sharp moved that the word " person" be struck out, and the word " male" inserted, so as to exclude women. It was strongly urged that women who paid rates should be entitled to vote. On tha question, "being, put, the amendment ';vas rejected by 40 to 23,

Mr, Whitaker moved the insertion of the words (, '&san occupier," whioh made the clause read (< Every person enrolled as an occupier on the ratepayers' roll," etc. Agreed to on the voices. The clause as amended was then carried on a division by 45 against 19. Clause 18, entitling Maori ratepayers to vote, was postponed. Clause IU, relating to aliens and convicted persons, was also postponed, after some discussion.

Clauses 20 and 21 passed unamended. In clause 22, making every duly qualified elector eligible for election to the House of Representatives, Dr. Hodgkinson moved the insertion of +he word "male" after the word ''every," The Ejorise divided, and the amendment was carried by 'M against 2<i. Mr. F'ox moved that the words "Who shall have attained the age of 25 years" be inserted after the words " every male person." He quoted in support the usage of the United States, which allows no one to be a member of a State Legislature under 25. Negatived p.n the voices.

Mr. Yvakefieid moved an amendment to prevent any person ever convicted of felony, or any infamous offence becoming a member of the House.

The Premier hoped it would be withdrawn.

The House resumed, at p.in., the consideration in Committee of the Electoral '£iil> which was continued. Mr, Wakefield's amendment re convicts was, after some discussion, withdrawn.

The Hon. Mr. Sheehan then delivered his Statement on Native Affairs, which was greeted with loud applause.

September 18. After the Native statement last night, the House went again into Committee on the Electoral Bill. Clauses 22 and 23 were passed unamended. In Clause 24, Mr Sannders proposed an amendment under which a member elected for two constituencies should decide which he would retain within fourteen days, instead of twenty-eight, as proposed in the clause. The amendment was lost. Clause 24 was amended to read, after word "him" in 58th line—all the rest of the clause to be struck out, so as to allow the insertion of the words, "unless the seat be duly claimed by some person ; provided further that if no such choice be made the returns of seats fqr which he L~q 1.0.en elected shall be deemed void." Clauses 25, 2i.i, and 27 were passed. On Clause 28 a division was taken on the question of striking out the words "cv cept person," with a viGW to inserting the word "not," On the question buiug put that the words proposed to bo omitted stand part of the Bill, the ayes were 42 and the noes 5. Clause 2S was amended by the insertion of the words '' entitled to be regigtpred as voters." instead of the words " entitled to vote." Clause 2!) was amended so as to read " that he was not previously claimed to be." Clauses 30 and 31 were carried. In Clause 32, after the words "lodged with," the words " or forwarded to " were added. Clause 33

was passod, A motion to report progress by Mr Wakefield was lost—ayes If!!, noes 24. Clauses 34, 35, and 3ti were carried without amendment. Clause 37 was amended by the addition of the words, "but such names as appear to be on electoral roll then in farce ;tnd not objected to Jshail not be again placed thereon." Progress was then reported, and leave was given to Bit again to-morrow. The House adjourned at 1, 40.