PARLIAMENTARY.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 131, 12 July 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[I’ER I’RKSS AGENCY.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WiaxiN'oroN, July 8. The House resumed at half-past seven last evening. The report of the Committee appointed to impure into the circumstances: of the election of Sir George-Grey, forUlie Thames 'was read. It held that the lion, member's election was quite in accordance with the law in the colony and at Home, and that he was eligible to sit for that district. Mr.Stout immediately gave notice that .on Tuesday next Sir George Grey would declare fur which .constituency he would sit. The Premier moved (he second reading of the Municipal Corporations Act, at the same time explaining its provisions. There was a general concurrence with fits principles of the Act, Imt (hero was a strong desire expressed that the different constituencies of the colony should be afforded an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the Act, and offering suggestions as to amendments ; while- exception Was taken to many of the details. The Government expressed their willingness to consider many of the objections raised, and concurred with the desirability of not hastening its passage through committee, but deprecated the, apparent desire of many bon. members to postpone everything as long as they had something to go on with. They would not hurry the Bill, but they wanted to get on with tire business. The Bill was read a second time on the understanding that it would not be pressed on with undue haste. The adjourned debate on the Coroners’ Act Amendment Bill was then renewed. Great exception was taken to this Bill by several bon. members, on the ground that the 1 change was unnecessary and undesirable; that it Was superseding an old system hallowed by centuries, and that worked smoothly, except in a few isol Red instances. Arguments were used on the other hand th’at the Bill was desirable, and that a change from a system that ought to have been abolished long ago would be made. Public harm was predicted on one side, and public benelit anticipated on the the other. Strong objection was taken as to the inefficiency of medical Coroners' inquiries into tires-. Ultimately the Bill was road a second time on the voices. The House adjourned at midnight till 2.30 run. on Tuesday. July H. The House met at half-past two. The business was comparatively unimportant. A fortnight's leave of absence was granted to law-;. Most of the afternoon war, devoted to discussing the fifteenth clause of. the Regulation of Local Elections Bill. There was great diversity of opinion as to the hours at which the polls should be taken, the bill fixing the hours between. 9 and 6. Mr Lusk wanted the power o£ fixing the time placed in. the hands of the Local. Boards.

Others wanted the polls to be kept operi from noon to eight or ten at night Others opposed on the ground that if would tend to create drunkenness and tumult. Various amendments were proposed, but all rejected, one division being 45 against 26, in favor of the Government. The clause was still under discussion when the House rose at half-past five.