EVENING SITTING.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2995, 20 September 1878, Page 2

EVENING SITTING.

Thursday. ' THE CLAUSES OF THE ELECTOBIL BILL.

The House resumed, at 7.30 p.m. in committee on the Electoral Bill. Mr Saunders' amendment was negatived on .a division. Clauses 112 to 125 inclusive were passed, with a few .slight verbal amendments! On clause 126 (public houses to be closed on election days) a long discussion ensued. The AttorneyGeneral expressed his willingness, to amend.the clause so as to limit.public; house keepers to , the sale of liquor wholesale. Many members maintained it would be impossible to stop drinking on* election days,- and the resolution -could j only have the .effect of encouraging sly drinking and hypocrisy, and therefore the. 1 Clause should \be struck out.] ,« The .word's "by retail"..were inserted on the voices; It was then . put that the, clause as amended stand, part of. the bill,, upon which the House divided, the result being that the, clause; was struck out. by 21 i against 12. Clauses 127 to, 134 inclusive were passed unaltered. A good deal of discussion ensued upon 135 (commence* meut and close of the poll). . Consider* able objection was taken to keeping ths poll open till Bin the evening. Ah attempt was made to get the polls opened at 8 in tin morning instead of 9, but it :was negatived. -Then the House divided ' as-io whether the poll should olose at • 6 instead of 8 as in the bill, the result being • that 6 was struck out by 26 against 20| Another division took place as to whether "six" should be the hour, and this was carried by 27 against 20. The clause was then passed as amended. Clauses 136,137, and 138 were passed unaltered. A good deal of discussion ensued upon clause 139 (questions to be put to voters), and the clause was passed. Mr Saunders moved.that clause 140 (provided that declarations against bribery, may be. demanded) 4m. struck but. The clause, was carried by 28 against 13. ■ , The House adjourned at ten minutes p „st 10 in consequence of the Governor's ball. .. :'-• .' '\■ , ' .The Committee will sit again to* morrow. ;'■ . '' -'t'-,., ■'$'? ■