PARLIAMENTARY.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 159, 18 October 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PKR riIESS AGENCY.J HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, October 14. The House resumed on the debate on ii. wu;t„i. fir ’ a motion re the San Francisco mail service. The Postmaster-General explained the particulars of the service, and adduced elaborate compilations to show that the service was efficient and inexpensive, but that, if the colony insisted on the coastal service, the contractors would have to throw the wliolo thing up. Under the circumstances he thought we should not do anything to jeopardise the service, and he therefore urged the acceptance of the modification proposed by him, and informed the House that the Sydney Government was pressing for an answer. A long debate ensued, and a variety of amendments were put, the final result being that Mr Whitaker's resolutions were passed in the following 'amended, form ; That tiie service be direct from San Francisco to Sydney, calling at Honolulu and Auckland, or the Bay of Islands, at the option of the contractors. That the coastal service be performed by ten-knot boats to be approved of by the Government. That New Zealand’s share of the subsidy bo reduced by £7,500 if Auckland be the port of call, and by £IO,OOO if the Bay of Islands be chosen. The debate was then resumed on the Governor’s despatch to the Secretary of State. Mr DeLatonr, in a speech condemnatory of the Governor, and laudatory of Sir George Grey, moved that the House regrets that the Governor’s despatch was so ill-advised.

Sir George Grey supported this in a speech of considerable length, in which he spoke in terms of rcpiehension of the action of the Governor in relation to the despatch, and of the Government generally as to their prosecution of himself. Their whole course was dishonorable, and full of the poison of malice, and yet they expressed hot a single word of regret. He prayed the House to rise to the occasion, and, despite the frown of power, to do justice to one who had been cruelly wronged, and to set an example for future time. The motion was then put and lost, the number in favor thereof being 25, and 34 against it. The House then went into Committee of Supply, and sat till 2.35 a.m. A number of items were passed. On the motion of Mr Sheehan, the item of £6OO for an Inspector-General of Prisons was struck out by 32 to 19. An item of £7OO for lunatic asylums was struck out. On coming to Provincial charges, Sir G. Grey moved that progress be reported, and insisted on a division, which negatived his motion by a large majority Messrs Sheehan, Swanson, and other members of the Opposition voting with the Noes. Sir George then moved that Mr. O’Rorke leave the chair, and was again defeated. In reply to Mr Swanson, Sir George said he was fatigued, and wished to study the items before they were passed. " Several members expressed disapproval, amongst them Messrs Sheehan, Swanson, Rolleston, ami Reid, who protested against Sir, George’s action, and the obstruction to business. Sir George again asked progress to be reported, but did not press,for a division. A few more items were passed, and the House then adjourned, October-17, On the House meeting yesterday, Sir G Grey gave notice that he would move—- “ That it was a breach ’ of privilege for Government to prefer charges againsh-any members of the House,, without conveying

to the House the nature of the charges made, and giving members.an opportunity of replying thereto.”, He also gave notice of his..; 1 intention, on future occasion) to move.for an address *to the Governor, re-; questing.“ that a sum of. £5,000 be placed on Supplementary Estimates to defray, cost of proceedings to 1 be taken with object of determining whether' Abolition Act was' ultra vires ; such sum to be charged as provincial liability of Auckland ami Otago.” Nearly the whole of the afternoon was occupied in discussing Sir G. Grey’s second resolution. The Government opposed it, the Piemier and Mr Whittaker speaking briefly. Messrs. Hodgkinson, Rees, and Sheehan spoke at considerable length in support of the motion, and considered it a .most judicious course, and one best calculated to allay the excitement'of the people. Mr Reid also supported it. The debate was interrupted by the arrival of 5.80. The House wont into Committee on the Estimate of the Telegraph Department, which was passed unchallenged. Remainder of sitting was occupied in discussing the item of Native Department. Sheehan wanted it reduced by £IO,OOO. This was opposed by the Premier, who pointed out the vote was being reduced very considerably every year, and it would be imprudent to reduce so largely and so suddenly. . , • The committee argued the matter till nearly 3 o’clock without coming to any conclusion, and reported progress. The House then adjourned. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, October !?. In the Legislative Council last night, all the borrowing and special loan clauses were thrown out. In the Legislative Council to-day, the Public Works Bill ■was'read a third time and passed. ■ In Committee on Debtors and Creditors Bill, Mr Hart moved a series of amendments, substituting “ official trustee ” for “registrar.” This was opposed by the Government, but was eventually carried by 12 to 10. The Counties Bill then occupied the Council until the hour for adjouument.