LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3030, 31 October 1878, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

WELLINGTON.

Wednesday. INSULTING THE LOBDB.

In the Legislative Council to-day, before proceeding to business, the Hon. Mr Waterhouse called attention to the incorrect report of proceedings of the .Conference on Saturday, which appeared in the Lyttelton Times. He considered that members of Parliament should remember that they were gentlemen first and parti-1 sans afterwards, and should not furnish such reports. Other members spoke to the same effect, and Colonel Whitmore said it was not possible that any one of his colleagues could hare used the language attributed to him in the report, namely, that the House would find it necessary to review the constitution of the Council. The matter then dropped. EDUCATIONAL BESEEVEB. Sir D. Bell moved that it was desirable that the subject of educational reserves should be brought under the consideration of Parliament, and that a report should be prepared on the subject by the Minister of Lands and Education, giving exhaustive information for next session. Motion agreed to. The Hon. J. Hall moved for a Return of sheep and sheep owners, etc. „ . Agreed to. Some bills were brought up from the House of Eepresentatives and read a first time. The following bills were then read a third time and passed:—Otago and Southland Educational Jleserve, Thames Boys' High School, and Christchurch Reserves Cemeteries Management Bill, which was thrown out on a division by 15 to 10. Dunedin Water Works Bill was read a second time. ■ ;; . RAILWAYS CONSTRUCTION BILL. The debate on this measure was re* sumed. , , The aoting Speaker ruled that the measure was not an appropriation bill. After a few remarks from Mr Miller, Colonel Whitmore replied, and a division was taken. ■ Mr Waterhouse's amendment — For amendment, 15; against, 17. The bill was then read a second time. „ The second reading of the Publio Works Amendment Bill was moved, by Colonel Whitmore. Mr Waterhouse said the simple principle of the bill was to give the Minister of Publio Works power to do as might seem right in his own eyes. If the measure was passed Mr Macandrew would be far and away the greatest man in New Zealand. He criticised the bill at length | in the direction of showing the correctness of his statement, and concluded by moving that the,bill be read a second time that day six months. . Sir D. Bell followed, also dwelling on the enormous power given by the bill to the Minister of Public Works. Mr Walerhouse withdrew his amend* ment. Colonel Whitmore admitted that the bill was hurriedly drawn up. He would further explain it next day. Messrs Hall and G. Buckley followed. Although the amendment had been withdrawn, he thought the Council should express its opinion on so monstrous a question. - '■ Mr Fraser supported a second reading, and Mr Menzies thought the bill should be withdrawn. Colonel Whitmore .replied, and the bill was read a second time on the voices.