PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5172, 14 August 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Pan Peess Association^

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, Yesterday. The Reform of Council Committee reported that they had no recommendation to make as to the amendment or alteration of the constitution of the Council.

The Customs and Excise Duties Bill, the fisheries Encouragement Bill, and the Shipping and Seamen's Bill were read a second time.-—Tbe Life Assurance Policies Bill was read a third time and passed — Progress was reported on the Rating Bill, and the Council adjourned at 5 p.m. ,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Yesterday. Tho House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to questions, it was stated that the question of the opening of the Exhibition on Sundays would be referred to the Executive Committee to be dealt with ; and that steps would be taken for dealing with native reserves.

Sir Julius Vogel gave notice to intro* duce the District Railways Purchase Bill. THAMES HARBOR BOARD BILL. Col. Fraser moved the second reading of the Thames Harbor Board Empower ing Bill.—Col. Trimble moved that the bill be read that day three months.—After some discussion the debate was adjourned for a fortnight on Mr Peacock's motion.

HOURS OF POLLING BILL. The House went into Committee on the Hours of Polling Bill. In clause 2, Mr Allwright moved that the polling for members of the House of Representatives be seven instead of eight.—Mr Holmes supported the extension, as in Christcknrch South last election a number_ of electors were presented from voting owing to the poll closing at sis o'clock.-— Messrs W. P. Buckland, Gore, Hurst house, aid Lake opposed it.—Mr AllWright's amendment to strike out " eight o'clock" was carried, and on a motion being put to insert "half-past seven" in the clause, it was agreed to by 40 to 25.—-Mr Hurstbouse moved that all places in the schedule except Caversham be struck out — Considerable discussion

followed, and Mr Hursthouse said he | would withdraw the amendment on condition that the bill should only apply to the four large centres. — Mr Turnbull moved that progress be reported, in order to allow the mover of the Bill to come to some arrangement with regard to the schedule.—Mr Barron agreed to _report progress, and t aid Government intended to introduce a measure of this kind before the next general elec tion, and the action of the Committee would be guided by them in preparing the bill.—Sir G. Grey said it was an extra ordinary proposal. There was a general belief that the Ministry would not be in office for more than a few days longer, and in that case they would not have an opportunity to bring in a bill.—The motion^ to report progress was lost on the voices. —Mr Gore moved that the Chairman leave the chair.—The motion was lost by 35 to 29. This day. Mr Gore suggested an adjournment of the debate, in order, to allow the hon. gentleman in charge of the Bill to come to some arrangement respecting the schedule. —Mr Barron refused to accept this.—Mr Bevan said the' Bill was the most miserable attempt at legislation he had ever seen. —After some further discussion a motion to report progress was carried by 37 to 26.. The House went into Committee on the Licensing Acts Amendments .Bill. On Clause 3, relative to the extension of the franchise, the words "residents and property owners " were struck out, and the word "persons"; inserted.—Mr Holmes moved to strike out the words " and all persons of either sex," and after a short discussion his amendment was lost by 33 to 21. Mr Holmes then moved to report progress.—The Premier suggested that this Clause should be allowed to pass.— Mr Hursthouse asked the hon. gentleman in charge of the Bill to agree to report progress, as he conld assure him that it would not pass before eight in the morning.—The motion to report progress was carried by 28 to 23. Progress was reported on the Hawkers' and Pedlars' Bill, and the sale of Poisons Bill, and the House adjourned at 1.40 a.m. ' - . ■'' : '-"-'i^-