PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 267, 23 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Legislative Council. [O WK ConREHPONDFiNT.] Wellington, October 28. In the Council yesterday Mr. William Reeves took the oath and his seat. On the motion of Mr. Chamberlain it was resolved, That it is desirable the Colony should suitably recognise the heroism of those who saved the lives of fellow-colonists. Bills Reported. The Gisborne Harbor Bill and the Tauranga School Site Bill were reported with amendments. Second Readings. The Codlin Moth Bill, the Kowai Domain Board Bill, the Thames Recreation Reserve Bill, the Animals Protection Bill, and the Sheep Bill were read a second time. Third Readings. The cruelty to Animals Prevention Bill was Read a third time and passed. House of Representatives. Replies to Questions. In the House yesterday, replying to Mr. Ormond, Mr. Tole said instructions had been given to make suitable provision for the Napier Lunatic Asylum, which was recognised as being a most inconvenient building at present. Replying to Wi Pere, Mr. Ballance said as soon as existing difficulties could be removed Government would give effect to the recommendation of the Royal Commission re selling a part of sections of land at Patutahi and Ormond.

Replying to Mr. Locke, Mr. Stout said correspondence between Clyde and Gisborne was not sufficient to justify the expense of an overland mail being incurred at present. Third Readings. The Government Insurance Association Bill, the Public Works Act Amendment Bill, the Waikato Confiscated Land Bill, and the Supreme Court at Taranaki Registrar Empowering Bill were read a third time and passed. Second Readings. The Destitute Person’s Act Amendment Bill, the West Coast Settlement Bill, the Life Assurance Policies Bill, and the Westland Education District Subdivision Bill were read a second time. Motions. The Minister for Public Works moved the adoption of the report of the North Island Main Trunk Railway Committee. He said the Committee thoroughly sifted the evidence, and in recommending the central route had come to the decision which they thought best for the interests of the colony. Mr. Montgomery, as a member of the committee differing from the majority, explained his reasons for favoring the Stratford route. Sir George Grey moved that the word central be struck out, and Stratford ins rted instead. He said the Stratford line had been promised, and no promise made by Parliament should be broken without some good reason being shown.

The Premier denied that the line from Te Awamutu to Taranaki had been sanctioned by Parliament. What Government were pledged to was the appointment of a Committee to enquire into the best route. Mr. Smith spoke in favor of the East Coast line via Napier, but in the absence of all hope of getting that line, would support the central route. After further debate, the question was adjourned till Friday, an amendment by Captain Russell that the adjournment be till that day six months, being negatived by 51 to 8. The House adjourned at 1 o’clock.