PARLIAMENTARY.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 486, 20 December 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Deccmboi U). The House did nothing ail last evening but await the return of Public Works Bvt from the Upper House. The Council, after passing the Bill through Committee, canle to the schedules at once, and struck out the line from Nelson to Greymouth, with harbor works at Greynionth. They then excised line from Pieton to llnnmni by 9 to 7 ; East and West Coast line Irom main line to junction with line from Nelson to Greymouth and Hokitika, was struck out on voices. .Subsequently the quest ion was raised by a member whether it was competent for the Council to strike out any lines at all. seeing that the surveys fur these lines had been already appropriated. Mr Whitaker pointed out that the Council was getting into a I'also position, and it was ultimately agreed on the casting vote of the Speaker to report progress, and adjourn. In House of Keprescutatives, air Hall pointed out that the Council had made so many alterations in Public W oiks Bill, that they had better adjourn til! noon next day, which was done, lie also said the prorogation must necessarily he postponed. The Council met at 10 to-day. Mr Whitaker pointed out that the acti-G. - * of the Council had embarrassed Goar-’.ff-inont, and they conk! not agree to the striking out of works they had under contract. Ho asked that the Bill be re-com-mitted, for the purpose of restoring the lines regard I ig which contracts had been entered into, Government; undertaking to guarantee no other works would be carried out. Bill re-committed. Waikato to Taranaki line struck out ; Nelson to Greymouth made- to read Nelson to Bounded, and from Greymoitlh to Nelson Creek, with harbor works at Greymouth; Pieton to Hiirunui made to read Pieton to Awatere ; East and West Coast line to Greymouth and Hokitika, struck out. Appropriation Bill passed. When the Bill came back to the House of Representatives, the sniking out: of the Waikato to Taranaki line occasioned a very animated debate. Messrs Moss and Gisborne strongly opposed it, on the ground that it was a work of a national character, as it woo hi pacilicatc the King country, and obliterate the native dillieiiliy. it was unfair to iho House and the Auckland m-mhers, and suggested that Government were not sinceic in the matter. Mr Oliver said the action of the Com toil made little difference. They would piosecule the surveys and explorations as rapidly as means permitted. Mr Bryro denied that there was the slightest foundation in the statement that Kewi was becoming estranged from the colony. After further discussion, the House divided on Mr Gisborne's amendment, to disagree with Hie amendments of the Council in Public Works Bill. Amendments agreed to hy 22 to 15. Hall and Holiest on voted with the nyes, and Bryce and Atkinson with the lines. Mr Hall explained that Government, would have sacrilieed the Bid if they insisted on the Waikato-Taranaki line. Immigration and Appropriation Acts sent down from Council. The House was prorogued at f! p.in., the Penguin taking the Southern members.