ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

Southland Times, Issue 1779, 12 August 1873, Page 3

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

The third session of the fifth Parlia mont of New Zealand was opened on Tuesday, 15th July, with the usual ceremonies, by His Excellency the Governor, c ir James Fergusson. In the House of Representatives Mr Wakefield, member for Ch riatch urch City East, drew the attention of the House, as a matter of privilfjje, to an article in the Wellington Evening Post, in which he was charged with being (he hired pamphleteer of Messrs Brogdon and Sons, a position which the article in question declared affected his independence as a member of the House. Mr Wakefield contended that whatever he might do for Messrs Brogden and Sons in the way of literary work, his independence aa a member was in no way affected thereby. The matter was then allowed to drop. Mr M'Lean (Mr Yogel being absent f from illness) mrwle a brief Ministerial statement of the circumstances of Mr Waterhouse's resignation as Premier, and Mr Vogel's subsequent acceptance of "that office. Wednesday, 16th July. In the House of Representatives, Mr Yogel, in reply to a question by Mr Williamson regarding the extension of the Waikafco railway, said that the Government considered that a very important question of policy was involved in dealing wiih these subjects. Applications, there was reason to believe, for public works amounting to a very large sum, probably two millions sterling, would be made to the Gr rvernment during the present session. The Government intended, within a fortnight from that date, to bring before the House a complete statement of their intentions in regard to these matters, and also, at the same time, to make the annual financial statement. This announcement was received with applause from bcth sides of the House. Mr Seymour, member for Wairau, Nelson, was appointed Chairman of Committees for the remainder of the present Parliament. The usual sessional committees were appointed. Thursday, 17th July. In reply to a question by Mr Johnßton, member for Manawatu, Mr Yogel said that Messrs Webb and Holladay, contractors for the late San Francisco service, had each entered iuto a bond for £25,000 as security for the performance of the contract. When the service was discontinued, the Grovernment had caused application to be made to Mr Webb for the penalties. Mr Webb refused to pay, and the G-overnment then sent instructions to recover at law aa much of the amount as possible. The Government had no doubt that the parties to the bonds were solvent and responsible even for a much larger amount. In the meantime they had been able to stop a sum of £LO,OOO from the payments due on account of the service, thus making a very considerable recovery on account of the penalties due. Mr Webb, member for Lyttelton, moved the address in reply to the Governor's speech, and Mr Cuthbertson, member for Invercargill, sscondecL Mr Gillies, member for Auckland City West, said that although no discussion on the address was rased, it must not therefore be inferred that those who held opinions consonant with his own concurred in the sentiments expressed. The reticence of the Opposition was simply due to a desire to economise the time of the House. The address was carried on the voices. The Assaults on Constables BiH, making such assaults punishable by fine or imprisonment on summary conviction, and the Municipal Corporation Waterworks Act Amendment Bill, extending . the limit of currency of debentures issued by Corporations from thirty to fifty years, were read a secoud time. Fktday, 18th July. Mr Yogel, in reply to a question by Sir J. C. Wilson, explained the object of the Animals Importation Prohibition Bill, then read a first time. The idea had been originated at the Intercolonial Conference. In consideration of the ravages of various forms of cattle disease in Great Britain and the Continent of Europe, as well as America, and in view of the absolute immunity now enjoyed by the Australasian Colonies from such forms of disease, it was considered desirable to prohibit entirely the importation of stock from other parts. One Australian legislature had already passed resolutions to this effect, and if New Zealand did not act in concert with the other colonies she would of course be prohibited from exporting stock to their ports. The Municipal Waterworks Act Amendment Bill, and the Assaults on Constables Bill, were passed through Committee. A discussion, initiated by Mr Murray, member for Bruce, on the subject of land purchases from the natives by speculators in the North Island, led to a statement by Mr M'Lean, the Native Miuister, that the Government had long seen and were fully alive to the evils that arose from this practice, and would at an early date 1 bring down a measure to deal with the subject. In the course of the discussion Mr Fitzherbert stated that he had heard ! of a negotiation, then pending, for the purchase of a block of 50,000 acres from the native owners, at 4d per acre. On the motion of Mr Richardson, in consequence of a complaint which had been made that the Immigration and Public Works Committee contained the name of but one Otago member, Mr Macandrew, the name of Mr Cuthbertson was added to that Committee. Mr Yogel read a telegram from the Agent- General, to the effect that 2560 souls had been shipped as emigrants in May and June, and that probably 1200 would be shipped in July. Of railway plant there had been shipped 16,500 tons of rails, 16 locomotives, 31 carriages, 17 break- vans, and 163 waggons. The proceedings of the Legislative Council during the week possessed little public interest.