PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 997, 20 August 1872, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Mr Steward moved a resolution in favor of -the abolition of grand juries. Messrs Bathgate and Luckie strongly supported the Scotch system of public prosecutors instead of grand juries. Mr GHsborne opposed the motion. A Bill to extend the Maori Representation Act for five years was read a second time. The Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister Bill passed through committee after considerable opposition. It has been amended so as not to have retrospective action. The Government has consented to grant the following water supply sub. sidios :—Hibernian Water race Com-

pany, £2000; New Eiver Water race Company, £3333 (Js 8d ; Totara and j o nes's Creek Company, £3OOO. Tho Highway Boards Empowering Jill passed through Committee, a clause being inserted to compel all rating to be on the annual or selang value. Mr Sheehan gave notice that ho would move the re-committal, of the gill, for the purpose of authorising an acreage rate. Mr Header Wood moved a resolution expressing regret that the present session was not held in Dunedin, as resolved by the House last session. The Government explained that the resolution had been carried in a thin House, and that members were under the belief that the expense would not he above £2OOO, whereas it was found that it would cost really above £SOOO, a ml they thoughtitadvisableto give the House an opportunity of re-consider-jng the matter. Tho removal would also have interfered with the proper organisation of Public Works Department, and with negotations with Mr Broaden. Messrs Ileid, Brown, Reynolds, and Bathgate thought the reasons given were insufficient to justify the refusal of the Government to carry out the resolution of the House. Messrs Harrison, M'Glashan White, and Wakefield expressed approval of the course taken by the Government. The motion was withdrawn. The Tramways Bill was strongly •pposed in the Legislative Council by I e Hon. Messrs Waterhouse, Campbell, and Holmes. The second reading was passed. In reply to a motion by the Hon, Mr Grey, the Hon. Mr Hall explained the reasons of the Government refusing to entertain Brogden's Eailway Company's proposals. He said they would disturb all arrangements already sanctioned by Parliam >nt, cause delay in tbe construction of public works, remove almost all control from the hands of the Government, and increase tie liability of the Colony. At present 187 miles were contracted for at an average cost of £4BOO per mile. The Company required permission to expeud £SOOO per mile, which, on the proposed 1480 miles line would repressnt millions. The Colony might have to pay 5w per cent on this, which, long before 40 years, would be a very high rate of interest. The proposal, if accepted, would also shut out all local enterprise and competition. The Government were ready to entertain any further or new proposals likely to be for the benefit of the Colony. In the Council, the Hon. Mr Hall gave notice of a Bill to limit the number of paid Ministers entitled to sit in Parliament.