EVENING SITTING.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2992, 17 September 1878, Page 2

EVENING SITTING.

WJELLINGTON.

Monday. The House met at 730 p.m. to-night.

"WESTPOBT AND BEEFTON BAILWAY.

Dr Henry gave notice to ask whether the Government will cause a survey to be made of a rr.Jlway between Westport and Beefton.

POLICE PAY.

Mr Pyke gave notice to move for raising the pay of the police in the South Island. ' . •

STATEMENT OF NATIVE AFFAIBS.

The Hon. J. Sbeehan informed the House that to-morrow at 7.30 he would make, his Statement on Native .Affairs.

Mr Ormond asked when the return promised on the 15th of August, showing contracts for public works in which penalties had been enforced since, Ist of July, 1877, and contracts in the case of which penalties have accrued, but have not been enforced, during the same period, will be laid before the House. . ' .

The Hon. Mr Macandrew said all the information asked for would be laid on the table ?n a day or two.

THE ELECTOBAL BILL. In Committee .on the Electoral Bill Mr Sutton explained, at some length, the intention and scope of some amendments he had given notice of some time previously.

In clause 5, Mr Pyke moved an amendment with the object of getting public notices relating to elections published in some newspaper, " published and circulating "in the district, etc. This was lost by 52 against 12. '

Mr Wakefield moved another amendment, with the object of making it imperative upon the Government to advertise electoral notices in local newspapers. Considerable discussion ensued. * »,

The Attorney-General contended that the amendment would place the Government entirely at the mercy of newspapers in the matter of charges. The amendment waa carried on the

voices,'f^The clause was then passed with a slight verbal.amendment. Clauso six,'"Provision as to Sundays and hol'ilnyß," was-struck out. " TJii' House is continuing in Committee. ;