PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1340, 9 August 1883, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, August 7. In reply to the Hon. Mr Wilson, it was said the subject of allowing the Irish informers to land in the Colony was being considered by the Government. The Colonies should certainly have been consulted before they were sent out. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, August 7. House met at 2.30. The Native Affairs Committee’s report on the Poverty Bay Native Petition against the N.Z.N. Land Co.’s. Bill was read. The committee reported that the subject was one for a court of law to enquire into, and that they had no recommendation to make, Mr DeLautour said that no evidence hud been adduced in support of the slanderous and libellous charges in the petition. He moved that the minutes of its reception should be expunged from the records of the House, Mr Bryce said he thought that the allegations should be fully enquired into. Mr DeLautour had said that if the House wished his conduct enquired into he was prepared to give evidence. Mr Bryce therefore moved that the report be referred back to the committee to enquire into the statements of the petition. Major Atkinson thought that the petititionera should be compelled to support their charges. Mr Montgomery blamed Mr Bryce for having presented such a libellous petition. Mr DeLautour said he had in every possible way courted an enquiry into the matter. After considerable further discussion, the motion that the report do lie on the table was negatived, and Mr DeLautour's amendment that the petition be expunged from the records of the House became the substantive motion. Mr Connolly then moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr Bryce defended his conduct in having presented the petition. If the Committee could not make an exhaustive enquiry, they could see whether a further enquiry was necessary. The motion for adjournment was negatived, Mr DeLautour carrying his metion by 40 to 29. Mr Shepherd brought on the following interim report from the Roads and Bridges Construction Act Committee :—“ I am directed to report that the Committee has come to the following resolution :—‘ That main roads are those which connect two or more Counties or Road Districts, or where there are no Road Boards : the ridings of a County, or which connect County districts with a port. ’ The Committee further directs me to ask for an extension of the order of reference, so as to enable the Committee to review the whole of the rokds gazetted last session as main roads, with a view of recommending a new schedule, in accordance with the resolution of the Committee, and the opinion of the Surveyor-General as to which are main roads.” He moved that the power asked for be granted. After considerable discussion, a motion by Major Harris to adjourn the debate was lost on a division by 43 to 21. Interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House met at 7.30. Sir George Grey gave notice, on going into Committee of Supply, that the Premier of the colony should not be the solicitor to the Bank of New Zealand, or receive a salary, fee, or emolument from that institution. Mr. Rolleston moved a resolution approving of the provisional agreement entered into with the New Zealand Shipping Company, for the conveyance of freight and passengers by steamers from Great Britain, for one year. He pointed out that Messrs. Shaw’, Saville and Co. had held back until they knew the terms the Shipping Co. wanted, and only then did they offer to do the work for less. He defended the arrangement made as a just and equitable one. Mr. Driver thought the Government should not have entered into this agreement with one company when there were two in the field. He moved, as an amendment, that the whole question be referred to a select committee. Mr. while admitting the Company’s pluck, supported the amendment.

Messrs, Sheshan, Fish, Levin, and Watt opposed the agreement with the Shipping Company, while Mr. Hurst supported it, Captain McKenzie, Messie, Bracken, M. W, Green, Swanson, Leveatam, and Joyce spoke against the confirmation of the contract, and Messrs. O’Callaghan, Turnbull, Dodson, C. J. Johnston, Ivets, and Trimble supported Mr. Rolleston’s motion. On the division the original motion was negatived by 34 to 29, and Mr Drivers’s amendment being then put, Mr Sheehan moved a further amendment, providing that tl| Government** freight) and paesengeig should be divided between the Shipping Company and Shaw, Savlll & Co., on the rates proposed by the latter, they undertaking to run steamers alternately at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers and the Bluff, and that failing this, tenders be called for. After further discussion, Mr Driver’s motion was carried by 44 to 22. The House rose at 1.5.