PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 264, 18 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Legislative Council. [Own Correspondent.] Wellington, October 18. Replies to Questions. In the Council yesterday, replying to Sir George Whitmore, The Colonial Secretary stated if the expense of providing quarterly sittings of the Magistrate’s Court at Awanui, East Coast, was not very great, the matter would be favorably considered. Replying to Mr. Mr. Wrigley, The Colonial Secretary said ho would introduce a bill next week to prevent the spread of lice in sheep. First Readings. The West Coast Harbor Loan Bill, the Thames Recreation Reserves Sale Bill, the Wanganui Harbor Board Rating Bill, and a Bill to declare the liabilities of shareholders, in companies carrying on business as executors and trustees were read a first time. Second Readings. The Cruelty to Animals Prevention Bill was read a second time. The Otago Harbor Board Loans Consolidation Bill was passed through committee and reported with amendments. Complaint. The Speaker laid on the table a letter received by the Premier from Christchurch ministers of religions protesting against the employment of public money by members of

both Houses of Parliament on Sabbath excursions. Some discussion arose on the unprenedented way of addressing Parliament, the | usual course being by petition. The Council adjourned at 5 o'clock, House of Representatives. Replies to Questions. Tn the House yesterday replying to questions Government stated they had no power to reserve the Ruapehu, Tongariro, Rotoaira, Tokano, and adjacent Hot Springs as a national park. That Government would arrange to take over the buildings at Ohinemutu that were finished. First Readings. A Bill to amend the Municipal Corporations Act was read a first time. Imprest Suppig. An Imprest Supply Bill of £200,000 was passed through all its stages. The East and West Coast Railway Bill was further considered in Committee, A number of amendments to clauses were proposed and negatived. In the course of the discussion of one, Mr. Stout said Sir George Grey either did not know what he was talking about, or was wilfully trying to mislead the House, and that Sir George Grey was out of order in discussing ths clauses as they were not then under consideration.

Sir George Grey moved to report progress so as to take the Speaker’s ruling as to whether he could not debate the whole Bill to point out the effect of a particular clause. The motion to report progress was lost on the voices. The amendment moved by the Premier to clause 9, that no land shall be deemed of less value then 10 shillings per acre, and that the total estimate of cost of a railway shall not be more than £1,500,000 was agreed to ; also an amendment by Mr. Seddon that rights or interests acquired under miners’ rights or business licenses be not affected. In clause 18 on the motion of the Premier the railway from Tuturu to Rotorua was added. The route was decided to be through Arthur’s Pass, and a new clause was added that the cost of the railway connecting Nelson with the East and West Coasts Railway was not to exceed one million. The Bill was reported with amendments and the House rose at 1.45.