PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3645, 1 September 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Peb Pbess Association.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Tuesday. APPBOPBIATION BILL.

The House resumed at 2.30 to day. Mr Hall moved that the debate on the passing of the Appropriation Bill be now resumed. The motion was necessitated in consequence of the Opposition having last night left the House without a quorum being-left. Mr Macandrew denied that he was in any way responsible. He had gone away at a late hour simply because it was evident that a protracted sitting was con• templated by the Government, who were further to blame in having allowed their supporters to go away before the business had been completed. Mr Sueehan complained that members who had gone away had drawn their full honorarium. He said some members took five days' grace at the beginning of the session and others at the end. y Sir G. Grey said the present episode showed the necessity for the payment of members being fixed at a certain sum.

The Hon. J. Hall said Government was not in any way responsible for the payment of members' honorarium. -

On the motion that the Appropriation Bill do now pass, Mr Hutchison reviewed at some length the work of the session. He complained bitterly that a whole block of land had been set apart for Mr Vesey Stewart and other speculators, but not an acre could be had by the colonists who had borne the heat and burden of the day. The motion that the Appropriation Bill pass was then put and carried. FEIVOIOUS PETITIONS AND THEIB COST.

Mr Sheehan drew: attentipn to the fact that two petitions had been presented against him making false and, what was afterwards found to be, baseless charges. The witnesses had had all their expenses, whereas he had had to bear the expenses of defending himself from the charges. He called attention to the fact simply to show the injustice of the present arrangement in connection with these petitions. His contention was that they should not encourage petitioners to come here with cases of that description. Mr Gisborne agreed that unless in a very exceptional case, petitioners and their witnesses sh_ouldjoot,iiajve_ tlifiir^erpaeaes'JailljTrc'reated an evil which it would be well to set tneh- faces against. Hon. J. Hall announced that the pro* rogation would take place to-morrow by Commission at 2.30, and moved that the House do adjourn till 3.15.

i.ILEGIt>~GOI,D BISCQTJJBr 2JJ3A.1l ' WELLINGTON.

- Mr Sheehan called attention to the fact that a person named Moore had produced splendid gold specimens said to have been got not far from Wellington, but in the other island. He suggested that steps be taken by Government to ascertain the genuineness of the discovery.