PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1029, 7 August 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, August 7Though there was not a large amount of business done in the Legislative Council yesterday, the discussions were warmer than usual in that serene Chamber. In reply to. the Hon.. Mr. Taiaroa, the Hon., the Colonial Secretary said the Maori prisoners would be tried by the ordinary course of law in October. That was the present arrangement. There was a proposal, however, to hold a special sitting of the Court for the purpose, but it had not yet been decided upon. Several hours were occupied in discussing a motion of the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse re the Thames-Waikato railway. Messrs. Waterhouse, Hall, Pollen, and Sir. F. D. Bell strongly denounced the action of the Government as the grossest violation of the law and a direct infraction of the intentions of the Legislature. Dr. Pollen said it was done to buy political support. Colonel Wbitmore replied in defence of the Government, and the Council passed a motion that the conduct of the Government was a direct violation of the letter and spirit of the law. At the evening sitting, on the motion for the second reading of the Loan Bill, Mr. Waterhouse moved as an amendment that the present Parliament should only borrow enough for present requirements, leaving further borrowing for the new Parliament, After much discussion, the debate was adjourned at 10 p.m.