PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2077, 25 August 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

MONDAY. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. . The House met at 7.30, p.m. The Divorce and Matrimonial Act Amendment Bill was recommitted when Mr Tolk moved a new clause to the effect that the measure should not be retrospective.—Carried, Mr Samuel moved a new clause that husband or wife may petition for a divorce, if living separated for seven years. A long discussion ensued, the clause being evenfcually negatived 'on the voices. Mr Samuel thon moved another clause providing that when husband or wife had been convicted of an indictable offence nnd had served a sentence of seven years, it should bo grounds for divorce. Mr Seddon moved an amondment to add after the word "convicted," the words "Since the coming into operation of this Act," carried by 39 to 33. Mr Steward moved that it bo four years instead of seven. This motion was lost. The clause as amended, was, on division, added to the Bill, by 38 to 34. Mr Samuel moved another- new clause, providing that in cases where either party became insane and was confined in a lunatic asylum for seven years, there should be ground for divorce. This olause met with strong opposition, and several motions to report progress were tabled. Mr Samuel thoughfc the Committee was not in a frame of mind to consider important measures,, and he therefore moved to report progress, - which was carried.

In Committee of Supply, the Supply Bill of £300,000 was introduced. Replying to Major Atkinson, Sir J. Voohl said that £200,000 was on account of the Consolidated Fund and £IOO,OOO on account of the Public Works Fund. Major Atkinson said the returns laid on tho table shewod that a very largo expenditure had been incurred on account of the Public Works fund during the first i months of tho year. Contracts had been entered into involving tho expenditure of half a million, and liabilities to the extent of £IOO,OOO had been Incurred since. If this expenditure is kept going a largo loan would, he contended, be needed.

Sib Jumus VOOEI said the expenditure out of the Public Works fund during the W four months had been at the rate of £850,000 a year. The Bill was then passed through all its stages.

The Government Officers Guarantee Bill was read a second time. The Parcel Post Bill was discharged from the order paper.

The House went into Committee on the Justices of the Peace Act Amendment Bill. fAn amendment was made to clauaa 20, providing that the rota should be only kept in Boroughs. Mr Toie moved a new olause in plaoe of those providing that a rota should be kept, and that a Justice absenting himself twice should be struck off the commission. The clause allowed the Justice to make ah explanation re non-attendance within a Month. Mr Macarthur moved a proviso; .that a justice wishing , to temporarily leave the colony may obtain leave.~ Agreed to.. The clause wai to,. and the Bill m read a and passed. Progress was reported on tjw JUtijjgAct Amendment Bill. The House rose at 2 a,