POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Patea Mail, 18 August 1881, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

FROM ,OVR PARLIAMENTARY CORRESPONDENT . PARTY DIVISION—REPRESENTATION.and MAORIS—LOROS and L I (IE N S I N G—PUBLIC WORKS. Wednesday Night, .Debate last night on Representation Rill concluded after midnight. The division list shows the Opposition were badly beaten. Ayes 49 : Alhvright, Andrews, Bain, Ballance, Bastings, Beetham, Bowen, Brandon, Brown, Bryce, Bunny, Colbcck, DeLantonr, Dick, J. B, Fisher, J. T. Fisher, Fnitoii, Grey, Hall, H. •Hirst, Hutchison, Johnston, Kelly, Levin, Macandrew, Mason, McOaughnn, McDonald, McLean, Montgomery, Murray, Oliver, Ormond, Fyke, Richardson, Rolleston, Saunders, Seymour, Shanks, Shrimski, Stevens, Stndholme, Sutton, Swanson, Thomson, Trimble, Whitaker, Wood, Wright. The Noes were only 16 j Collins, George, Gibbs,.,Gisborne, Harris, W. J. Hurst, Hnrsthonse, Levestain, Lnndon, Moss, Pitt, Reeves, Scddori, Sheehan, Shephard, Weston. Pairs: Ayes:—Atkinson,/Finn, Moorhouse, Turnbull, Jones, Kenny, Fox,Barrpn, Wakefield. Noes Taiaroa, Hamlin, Tomoana, Reid, Speight, Wallace, Russell, To Whcoro, and Tole. The bill was then made first order for next sitting. The great fight will take place when the bill is in committee. It is thought Government has majority enough to carry the bill as proposed, but will be prevailed upon to make alterations. If so, the probability is the bill will be shelved. Reader Wood’s motion affirming the desirableness of inolhding Maoris on the population basis is being discussed this evening, but it cannot be carried. In Legislative Council yesterday afternoon, the Licensing Bill was recommitted, and a number of farther amendments were made. The clause, relating to the constitution of Licensing Districts was altered so. as to leave districts mainly as they are at present. - Miller moved the rejection of the clause making Licensing Benches elective. The motion was opposed by the Attorney-General, who said if this clause was cut out the bill would be rejected by the House of Representatives,; and thus a most valuable measure would be lost. ! Mr Miller’s amendment was lost on division; ayes 13, nocs 16. The provision against serving children ‘ was made less stringent. Third reading of the bill was ordered for Thursday. Notice was given by Mr Miller of motion for recommittal of bill in order that clauses relating to constitution of Licensing Committees might be reconsidered. Mr Buckley also gave notice of two amendments, one enabling lessor to reenter on premises in ease of forfeiture of license by lessee, and the other in cases of bankruptcy vesting in trustee the same rights in regard to license as would be enjoyed by licensee but for the bankruptcy. Public Works Estimates show £1,500 for roads to open tho Momahaki land block for sale; also £2,000 for the Mnrimotu road from Wanganui. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION BILL Wednesday Night. This important bill is now circulated, and on its passing much depends. It enables the Governor to contract with companies for granting them lands in aid of railway .construction, and the companies may mortgage such lands to raise capital for construction. Land so given is to be in blocks of 100 to 2,000 acres, in. alternate blocks. Not more than half the railway frontage is to be. given to any company. Government may purchase such railways after ten years by giving twelve months’ notice, the price to be fixed by arbitration.'