Parliamentary.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 972, 24 August 1881, Page 2

Parliamentary.

[from our own correspondent]. Wellington, August 22. The account of the proceedings re New Plymouth Harbor Board was incorrect. The House sat till 1.30 a.m. on Saturday, when, on the motion of Mr. DeLatour, on Mr. Hall’s resolution re adoption resolving that no works be proceeded with except those providing the protection of those works already in existence, was carried. Other political matters are dull. To-night the Representation Bill will be discussed ; but the Government count on a large majority for the measure. The Railway Construction Bill, which passed its second reading last night by a large majority, is to be referred this evening to a select committee, and the Representation Bill will be discussed in committee this evening. The whole of this afternoon was occupied in discussing the use of the Bible in schools question. Leave to read the Bill the first time was carried by a large majority, but when the question was put to fix the second reading for Thursday week, Mr. Barron moved as an amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr. Fox, Mr. Dick, and others opposed the amendment, several of them stating that they had supported the first readingout of courtesy to the Legislative Council, where the measure had been initiated. The debate was interrupted by dinner hour. Very slight hopes are now entertained of the Session finishing before the end of next month, as there are still 85 Bills on the order paper, in different stages to be disposed of It is rumored that the Hon. E. Richardson J. Macandrew and B. Napier Bell may probably form a commission on the New Plymouth Harbor Works. The Gaming and Lotteries Bill again came on for consideration last night, when an agreement with regard to the amendments in council was come to. The council would not agree, to the clause prohibiting bookmaking and the House consented to its being struck out. The clause making it illegal to advertise lotteries, sweeps, &c., and to keep any office for betting, was finally struck out, the council

paving given way, after a good deal of pert siiasion. The Act comes into operation on the Ist of November next. Mr. Bastings to-day gave notice to ask the Government if they intend to carry on the business of the country with the Government as at present, or whether thqy intend to appoint a Minister for Public Works, and if so before the close of the present Session ?