BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1109, 23 September 1873, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

[Anglo-Australian Press Telegraph Agency]

WELLINGTON. Government Buildings,

September 19. Forty-seven members met at Mr Vogel's caucus today, Friday, and fortyfour have pledged themselves to support the Government in present action. They have also decided to send up the Provincial Loans Bills sepaiately, retaining all the principal features of the former bill, but striking out the rating clauses. The intention is to test the question whether the Upper House will allow the Provinces to borrow or not. If the Upper House will not support this the Government will introduce a Property Tax, rating all descriptions of property, and will endeavor to raise further loans on the security of such property tax. Property under £SOO will be exempted. If the Upper House rejects the 6 overnment measures the Government will appeal to the Home Government for power to re-construct the Upper House.

September 20. The Independent urges that Brogden's claim for compensation, on account of loss in immigration contract, should be recognised because the firm is entitled to more consideration than Webb, whose mail contract penalties the Government proposes to remit. September 22. Further information respecting ship Punjaub shows twenty-eight deaths during the passage out of three hundred and fifty souls. Measles first broke out in the Channel, and subsequently eccentric fever broke out Twenty-one persons who died were Danes. The share-list of the National Insurance Company closes to-day. Over twenty thousand shares applied for here.

Good Templars here are largely increasing.

5 p.m. _ln the House to-day the following bills have been read a first time: — Census Act Amendment; Act to provide for Regulation and the Inspection of .Railways ; Act to 6x duties payable on alienation of Native lands, and to make provision for assessment thereof, for re-hearing claims to Native lands and other matters heard before Native Land Court; to define interests of Natives in lands held jointly by them under Crown Grants, and to extend operations of Native Land Act, 1873, to such lands.

Mr Sheehan has given notice of motion for return of all amounts paid to newspapers and printing offices during the past year. Discussion is now going on for leave to introduce a bill to reduce the number and increase salaries of Ministers, in accordance with recommendation of Committee.