LATEST PARLIAMENTARY.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 884, 7 November 1871, Page 2

LATEST PARLIAMENTARY.

October 28. The Public Works and Immigration Bill was read a second time, after a long debate. Several members complained of the want of attention to immigration and settlement on the part of the Ministry. Messrs Gisborne and Fox professed the utmost anxiety to promote it, and intend to do so, as they were well aware that such was the only means of making their policy successful. Almost every speaker condemned the constitution of the proposed Board of Works, and the general feeling seemed to be that no Board was required at all. The Government pointed out that the proposal was made in compliance with the opinions expressed last session, but they were willing to modify it in any direction the House desired. The Public Revenues Bill passed through Committee. Mi* Vogel intimated that next session he should be prepared to proposo an entirely new system of ontrol and audit. October 29. Mr Sewell has resigned, and Mr "Watcrhouse has accepted a seat in the Ministry. Mr Andrews's resolution, endorsing the recommendations of the joint Committee on Lunatic Asylums, was lost by the previous question being moved. Mr Macandrew's resolutions in favour of a reduction in the Civil Service, by amalgamation of offices, and a reduction in next year's Estimates of all salaries above .£-100 a yeav, was carried by 27 to 23. Mr Peacock's motion " that it is inexpedient that tho Town of Lyttelton should be deprived of the services of a Eesident Magistrate," was carried. October 31. The Otago Land Bill passed through committee this morning at four o'clock after eight hours' fighting. The "Wellington Loan Bill dropped, Mr Vogel undertaking to introduce a fresh bill, enabling the General Government to pay the liabilities of the province; merging the Wellington Savings Bank in the Post Office Bauk, aud authorising an advance of £4,000 for the erection of a new lunatic asylum; the General Government takiug the same security over the whole Provincial revenue and special blocks of land as in the present bill. The Public Bill was read a third time, by a vote of 37 to 20. A long discussion took place to-day in committee, which is still unfinished, on the Payment to Provinces Bill, over Mr Gisborne's scheme of distribution of Eoad Board grant. Mr Eolleston moved an amendment in favour of adhering to schemes recommended or to be recommended by Provincial authorities.

Mr Keid to-day asked whether the Government received from Connor, M'Kay, and Proudfoot, contractors, of Duncdin, an offer to construct 50 to 500 miles of railway, for colonial debentures bearing 5£ per cent., or cash payment, price to be settled by arbitration; also, offering to pay cash deposit of 2£ per cent, on account up to £200.000, and over that sum and up to £1,000,000, deposit of & per cent., or to give reasonable cash security ; also, offering to compete for any longth of railway by public tender, and give any cash security re- '

quired by Government; and offering forthwith to deposit, as preliminary security, £IO,OOO to tho credit of Government ? Mr Gisboruo replied that he had received the oiler yesterday, but had not had time to consider it. Mr Sewoll, in the Legislative Council, explained the cause of his resignation to have been iu consequence of a letter from Mr Fox, stating h's presence in the Cabinet rendered unity of action impossible, and unless he resigned the Ministry must be broken up. Mr Waterhouse explained that he had at the first refused to accept, but afterwards had consented to join the Government temporarily and conduct Government business in the Council till the end of the session. Ho would not remairj in office longer, nor would accept any emolument. He was influenced in accepting office by the desire to avoid the inconvenience of delay from Ministerial complications at the present period of the session, and hoped by his temporary adhesion to smooth the way for the formation of a strong permanent Government, as well as tend to place the ministration of public affairs on a more satisfactory basis.