PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 279, 6 November 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Own Correspondent.] Wellington, November 6. Legislative Council. In the Legislative Council yesterday The Federation and Annexation resolutions were carried. The Land Bill passed through Committee, clause 29, dealing with the homestead system in Nelson being struck out. The third reading was ordered for next day. The Consolidated Stock Bill, the Life Assurance Policies Bill, the Municipal Corporations Bill, the Beetroot Sugar Bill, and the Loan Bill, were read a third time and passed. Tho Native Land Alienation Bill was read a first time. The Property Tax Bill was read a second time. House of Representatives. In the House yesterday The Railways Authorisation Bill was read a first time. The Special Powers and Contracts Bill was read a first and second time. The Native Lands Settlement Bill was considered in Committee, and a portion of clause 7, referring to testamentary rights of Natives not being affected by the Bill, was struck out. The Bill was then read a third time and passed.

The Premier moved the second reading of the Civil Liat Act Amendment Bill, and referred to the importance of fostering the mining industry, and the need for appointing a Minister whose time should be entirely devoted to that purpose, for which appointment the Bill provided. Mr. Barron moved the adjournment of the debate for a fortnight. After some discussion the adjournment was carried on the voices. Government called for a division, but when members had been rung in, there was such an evident preponderance of voices against Ministers that they did not persist in their call for division.

The House went into committee to consider the terms of contract with the N» Z. Shipping Company, for the conveyance of mails by their steamers to and from Plymouth. Sir Julius Vogel explained that the two companies had made arrangements with each other, so that by entering into the proposed contract, Government would not be doing an injustice to the other company. The subsidy would be about £15,000. After some discussion a resolution approving of the contract was agreed to, reported, and carried by the House. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr. Macandrew moved that Government be requested to prepare, during the recess, a measure to enable loans to be raised for drainage and other works.

The motion was carried on the voices.

The remainder of the sitting was occupied with ths Supplementary Estimates.