Parliamentary.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 812, 30 August 1877, Page 2

Parliamentary.

[From Oar Special Correspondent.] Government Buildings, Wednesday. GEORGE JONES, JUN. THE DECISION" OF THE HOUSE. After a stormy dobate m the House last night, a great number of amendments and counter amendments and two divisions, a motion was carried by 39 to 29 instructing the Hon Mr Whitaker to prosecute George Jones, jun., m the Supreme Court at the public expense. The Opposition by a hard fight succeeded m adding words making the public responsible lor Mr Jones's costs if the result should be a verdict for defendant, or the jury should disagree. The debate lasted from three o'clock till midnight. NATIVE LAND PURCHASES. Mr Travers has given notice of motion, " That, pending legislation, no purchases or negotiations for purchase of native lands be valid ' unless declared to bo so by the measure." THAMES - WAIKATO RAILWAY. Mr Cox presented a petition from Waikato bearing 131 signatures, praying for the speedy comtructiou of the Thames- Waikato Railway. NGARUAWAHIA RAILWAY STATION. Mr Cox also presented a petition from Ngaruawahia and neighbouring districts praying the Government to erect a platform at Ngaruawahia on the railway, the present station being half a mile out of the town. LOCAL OPTION. When the House resumed to-day, Mr Fox began a reply to the arguments used on the second readiu«* of the Local Option Bill. He aefministered a severe castigation to Dr Wallis, and said no one who heard hia argument but must be convinced nature intended him for a sl 7 &og seller. Mr Fox is speaking with his old vigour. HIGHWAY BOARDS VALIDATION BILL. In the House to-day the Com mittee on the Auckland Highway Boards Empowering Validation Bill brought up its report. The Committee disagreed with the amendments proposed by the Council because the Council had restricted the operation of the Highway Boards Empowering Act, 1871, to certain districts ia the province, whereas the Co.iimittee thought the provisions of that Act should be extended to all highway districts. WAIROA BLOCK. Papers re the survey of tho Wairoa block show it was surveyed m blocks not exceeding 300 acres. SURVIVORS OF THE HINEMOA. In reply to a question, the Government said it had instructed an outgoing shiD to seargh tfje

Islands for the survivors, of ., the wreck of theßhip'Hiiieinoa. ' MARQUIS OF NORMA-NBy, BJLRtiN MULCrRAVEj Aty-jO.-. Mr Swarisoa dreysr atteritioa. to' the,' lengthy .-titles -of ;<. the Gbv»rnor set/ out 1 tea timea ia one*^fazette,« and asked what object was sought by", a repetition of titles, atuji yHisit was the consequent cost m tb?e-print-ing of papers and parchments m the Government departments] and whether the expense could fiot be ? The " Premier replied' there was no law m the matter, bat the form was regulated by custom.*.. He could not tell . the cost without incurring, furtner expense to the public, but would see ' whether it* could be curtailed without injury to the public service. The whole; of the afternoon was occupied with a discussion on Mr Sheehan's motion for a committee: to consider thy. petition of ivlr Barton, complaining of partial treatment by -Chief Justice and Judge Richmond.- . The' Attorney-General read a rep y. of the Chief Justice, c >mplainiugof the vagueness of the charges, aud concluded by movingj " That the order be discharged," which was ultimately carried. '..'■■