Parliamentary.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 811, 28 August 1877, Page 2

Parliamentary.

[Prom Oiir SpeciaUCorrespDndent.] Government Buildings, . ..Saturday. 1 LOCAL OPTION BILL. The debate on the second reading of the Local Option Bill was resumed, last night m a thin house, sometimes .only a bare quorum being present. The second reading carried on voices. * Mr Fox, disgusted "at the thin house, did not speak or reply, reserving his speech for .• the. occasion of the.-nioti-m. to. go into committee. The bill will pass, no j doubt, but, on account of tlie objectionable clause re compensation, will pvdbably: be so altered m .committee as to be unworkable. COLONISATION. OF THE LAND FUND. ? Mr .Reader Wood's amendment for making the Local Fund Colonial Revenue was lost by forty-six ; to thirteen on the division last riig-ht.-The result was "'arranged outside the House by ''; lobby ihnuenpe. . Mr Rowe th:>ught the motion ill ; timed,, and voted with- the Government; The Auckland men voted as follows for the amendment : Dignan, Gray, Hamlin, Lusk Macfarlane, O'Rorke, Rees, Sheeban, Swansou, ; Tole, 1

M allis, Wood. Against, it ; Cox, Morris, Rowe and Whitaker. :7- : -- - Ay «„• ■ ' ■ :^,.«lagt*night.WBSIIIoES --\ ;, ||S^.^iPSj'r>. ■'■' a 7 Af^epiitation consisting; of fifteen mimbeFlfifl the fiousp) arijd|Chairmef|oftifs County CJouhcil^, , waited an tj^e Preniier to-day with reference to the subsidies arising from gold* fiejds and* depasturings leases impro*perly credited to the Land Fund ; also with reference to subsidies not Tpraid^to Highway Boards, which had f not struck a rate before the 3 1 st March. The Premier admitt&f 7, that the monies due on goldfields anaV depasturing leases ought to be paid over, and with reference to the last point said, the Government intended to stretch the Act sp as to apply to Boards which had riot struck a rate befbi-e iMOarch 31st.

~ Col 'McDonnell is petitioning the House for compensation on account ; of services? to? Colony. The WakafMaori case commenced to-day. Macassey with Stout and another for the plaintiff. Connolly and four others for the defendant. Publication was admitted by defendants. Ponatatari proved that having heard that his name was attached to one of the alleged libellous letters, tie caused it to be struck put before the letter? was printed. Henry Grace Ciark examined at great length gave evidence very unwillingly, but was obliged to admit that the letters were referred to him. He consider sd them libellous, detained them one month, and told

Grindell it was nob right to attack Russell. The letters were ultimately printed on the written order of McLean. Mr Wakefield moves further amendments on motion to go into Committee of Supply. The Petitions Committee refused to recommend the Petition, of the Waikato County "^ Council to the Governme it for consideration. The Nelson Rogan inquiry commenced to-day. ,! The Opposition intend to push matters ; to ; extremities, even if defeated, Ano confidence motion will probably be tabled.