PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4855, 19 October 1894, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

ABOUT SWITCHDACK KAILWAYS. The Chief Inspectorof Machinery, reporting on the Cliristchurch switchback accident, says that the Inspector in Christchuich reported that, in his opinion, the accident occurred owing to the points not acting. The Chiistchurch railway was self-acting, and not propelled by steam, and consequently the railway was not under the control of the Government, TheWellingtonswitchback was driven by &teani-power,and consequently was under the control of the Government, and before it was allowed to be thrown open to the public every care would betaken to ensure tho safety of tho riders.

A HAD TIME.' 1 Tho Govenimentfell on Wednesday upon an evil day, and encountered much travail. At 2.30 Ministers were defeated by 31 to 20 on the coal bonus. At five they were defeated by 32 to 27 on the Post and Telegraph Office Bill in Committee; at 10.30, by 23 to 21, in Committee on the Land and InconioTax Assessment Bill; and at 11, by 27 to 24, on the same measure, whereupon they reported progress upon ,it with some difficulty. These followed the Midland Railway division of tho previous day, with it a defeat by 32 to 2G, and the Vehicles Licensing Bill, with its'i defeat by 18 to 15. It is not surprising that the Premier this morning feared that 'the, House was becoming demoralised; or that it is understood that Ministers will hasten on the closing scenes by every means possible, The succession of catastrophes is almost unprecedented.' CLOSE OF THE SESSIOX.

Tlio Premier, in moving the adjournment of the House yesterday morning(l a.m.) said that at the rate business was progressing, thoy would bo unable to close the session this week. Tboro had been a tendency during the day, which, if persisted in, might prove demoralising. The session's work had been done well, and would reflect credit on members and he hoped members would notlet anything occur at the end of it which might cast a reflection upon them, Captain Russell said ho sympathised with the desire of tlio Premier to bring business to a conclusion, and would help him to do so, but the Premier would assist his own cause if he would declare what Bills he was going to pass. Let them not have more Bills brought up day after day. TIIK MIMiAXD ItAIMVAY.' .'. Mr Guinness thismorningreceived telegrams from Groymouth to tlie effect that there is "General consternation here at the Midlahdproposals being thrown out'"; and that the Grey Borough Council haspassedthe following resolution—" That the Council deeply regrets the action of the House in throwing out tlio Midland Railway Bill, as the passage of the same would have provided employment for a large number of men now out of work, and thrown. open large tracts of land for settlement; and further deplores that tlio Government did not make it a Policy Bill, and thereby ensure its passage through Parliament." MOKE SUUOUTER. There was another slaughter of the moreorlcss iunoccntyesterday morning, on tlio motion of the Premier, when at one stroke tlio following Bills were knocked off the Order Paper; Workmen's Wages Amendment, Employers' Private Benefit Society, Distillation Act 1868 Amendment, Betterments, Undesirable Immigrants Exclusion, Supremo Court Act Amendment, Public Reserves Sale, Animal Protection Act Amendment, Newspaper Libel Limitation, Shearers' Accommodation, and Debts Recovery Limitation. Of Local Bills, the Patea Foreshore Vesting, Waimea and luangahuo Comities Boundaries Alteration, Dunedin Public Abattoirs, and Invercargill Racecourse Trustees Empowering, were struck oil. The Premier also moved to strike out the adjourned debate on the Southern Railway Bridges, and Mr Earnshaw divided tlie House on tlio question of its retention, but it was struck out by 41 to 28. The Licensing Bill is amongst those still retained.— Post,