Parliamentary.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 970, 17 August 1881, Page 3

Parliamentary.

[FBOM OUB own cobrespondent]. J WELLINGTON, Atfgust 15. 4' The promoters of the local Harbor Bills do not anticipate their passing this session as the majority of members are strongly adverse to granting endowments. The debate in the House on Friday night last on the Representation Bill was exceedingly personal. After Mr Gisborne had moved the resolution affirming that representation according to population was unfair, Sir George Grey addressed the House in an

eloquent speech, stating it mattered little what representation they had in the House while all their, legislation, in the way of reform, was out-voted by a Nominee Legislative Council, and urged the country to sweep away the Nominee House. Sir W. Fox followed in a long, sarcastic, speech, sneering at Grey, who, during his earlier governorship, ruled the colony by a nominee council, and using his great influence to prevent New Zealand having free institutions. Sheehan followed in great excitement, and twitted Fox with being a political apostate, having been a leader of provincialism, and now leagued with his former opponents. The debate continued until past midnight, will be continued to-night, and no other business transacted until the question is disposed of. The Distress for Rent Abolition Bill, introduced into the Legislative Council by the Attorney-General, repeals the Distress and Replevin Act, 1868, and enacts that it shall not be lawful for any person hereafter to distrain for rent, or arrears of rent; it is proposed that the Bill shall come into operation on the Ist of January next. The Bill for enforcing and collecting duties on the estates of deceased persons, was introduced by Major Atkinson and circulated to-day. It provides for the more efficient collection of Succession Duties ; no duty is to be levied oh property; coming to a Widow from her husband ; half duty is payable by children, or grand children, inheriting property f in all other cases succession, duties on Real. Arid Personal Estate, are as follow Not exceeding £lOO, nil; £lOO to £lOOO, 2 per cent.; not exceeding £5OOO, 2 per cent, on the first £lOO, 3 per cent on the rest; £5OOO to £20,000, 4 per cent on the first additional £5OO, 5 per cent, on the next, and 6 per cent, on the. third (?) ; £20,000 to £50,000, 7 per cent on the first additional £lO,OOO, 8* per cent, on the second ; 9 per cerit.on the third, oh any excess over £500,000 10 per cent, s > August 16th. The Government expect a» majority of 12 in favor of the Redistribution of Seats Bill. The Gisborne Harbor Bill will be committed to-day, but there are too many others befpre the House for you. to expect getting an endowment. s. v -! Mr; McDonald asked the Government if they had heard of Ross’s charge against the County Council’s misappropriation; of £1,200. It was considered a blow at County Councils becoming Waste Land Board*, j j . v The Government favor attaching your district to'the Hawke’s Bay Board. The Poverty Bay Volunteers will get capitation thisyear. The House last evening was occupied in debating the Representation Bill A division is expected to take place this evening,, when the Government Will hive’ a ; majority. Mr. McDonald asked- the Government whether they will reinstate a bonus for the development of crude oil products of the colony, and the production of kerosene oil. Mr. Stevens brought up a report of the Public Aecb tints Committee Upon' the pensions of Pollen, Gisborne,, Domett and Fitzherbert, the committee recommend that the pensions be validated by special Act.