PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1130, 2 December 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, December 1. In the House of Representatives today, Mr. Dick presented a petition signed by 4400 residents of Dunedin and suburbs, relative to the encouragement of local manufactures, tfce., which was read and referred to the Tariff Committee. Sir George Grey presented a petition, signed by 590 residents of Canterbury, complaining of the conduct of the Hon. J. Hall, Messrs. Moorhpuse, Rolleston, and Win. Saunders, relative to tlie maladministration of the waste lands of that provincial district, re the abuse known as gridironing. The petition was read in such a fragmentary manner by the Clerk to the Assembly that its precise contents could not possibly be noted. In reply to Mr. Pyke, Major Atkinson said the Government would agree to a recommittal of the Estimates for the purpose of recommending, the honorarium. , The resolutions from the Committee of Supply were reported, read, and agreed to. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Qualification of Electors Bill were considered and agreed to. The House then went into Committee of Supply. The first vote was New Zealand Institute, LSOO, which was passed. The next vote considered was L3OOO, Agent-General's Department. Mr. Gisborne moved as an amendment •that the amount be reduced by LIOOO. The vote as printed was passed. The next vote considered was Charitable Aid, L 19,700. The vote was passed as printed. y The item Lunatic Asylums, L 18,522, was passed. Item Miscellaneous Service, L 34,881. Mr, Kelly moved that the item L2OOO be struck out. The vote as printed was passed. The Government Insurance Account, L20,f141. A division took place on the motion to strike out LSOOO for the erection of Government Insurance Offices, with the following result : —Ayes, 22 ; noes, 30. The item was retained. Government Native Reserves Account, Llll4, and a Surplus Land Fund Account, L 14,000, were passed. In reply to Mr. George, the Minister of Public Works said he hoped to make the Public Works Statement this week or early next week.