Last Night's Sitting.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3623, 6 August 1880, Page 2

Last Night's Sitting.

DECEASED WIFE'a SISTER Bill.

Mr Moorhouse moved that the House go into committee on the Deceased Wire's Sister Marriage Bill.

Mr Bowen opposed the motion. . , Messrs Te Wbcoro, Tawbai, and Tainui also opposed the Bill; saying.it was a return to the old custom amongst the Maoris before they became Christians. The Hon. J. Hall supported the bill. Dr Wallis and Major Harris spoke against the bill. On a division that the bill be; com: mittee there were 46 for to, 24 against.| On clause 2 Mr Harris moved that the word 'deceased' be omitted, and that f'sister' be changed to 'grandmother.'—1 Negatived. < . Dr Wallis moved the addition of the words 'and niece' bemadded. —Negatived. '-„."' Mr Harris moved ttiat progress be reported.—Lost by 41 to 12. Mr Murray and others appealed to the minority not to stonewall the bill. ' Messrs Speight and Whyte said they would not offer any further obstruction to the bill. ' Mr Turnbull refused to be a party to passing such a measure. ■ ' Mr Thomson moved thi^mission of the words making the ttiflPferospeetive in action.' "",' The discussion on clause 2 continued until 2.45. , . . Messrs Seddon, Thompson, Wallis, HoIHb and Turnbull opposing most strongly, and insisting that the third reading be postponed to a future day. At'length Mr Moorhouse consented, and the- bill was reported- without amendment's. The third .reading was ordered for Thursday next at 730. The third report of the West Coast Commission has been.presented. '