ASSEMBLY NEWS.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2664, 13 November 1871, Page 2

ASSEMBLY NEWS.

« r— (Per Greville's Telegram Company, Renter's Agents.) The Railway Bill has passed, Mount Bochfort to Westport being added to the Coalfield lines. The estimates have all passed. The Itninigration and Public Works Bill has passed, clause 100 being strongly but unsuccessfully opposed. Mr Swanson and Eeid proposed additions to the Railway schedule, which were negatived. An agreement has been come to between the House as to the Law Practitioners' Bill, and £100 voted to Mr Smythies to enable him to take advantage of its provisions to seek readmission. On the motion to go into committee on the Appropriation Billto-day,Mrßathgate moved a resolution that the appropriations be extended to six months beyond the end of the financial year. Mr VOGEL, in the interest of the public service, supported the proposal. If the House really wanted to see the effect of the policy initiated, it was necessary to give the Government some breathing time. They would really have time to do nothing if the House met at the usual period. Mr Shepherd (Otago) characterised the proposal as a cool and daring one. Mr Hattghton supported the motion. Mr FITZHEEBERT opposed it, as the representatives would he betraying their trust, if, having given such large powers to the Government, they now relinquish their right to demand an account at the usual time. Mr Fox strongly supported the motion, assuring members that the question when Parliament would meet would in no way affect the decision of the Government as to where it would meet, Mr Gillies opposed, and Mr Gisborne supported the motion. Mr Beid, Mr G. McLean, and Mr Andrew spoke strongly against the motion. Mr Macandrew supported it. Mr Beeves thought the proposal an unwise one, and as a true friend of the Government, urged its withdrawal, if not he should vote against it. Messrs White Bolleston, Bunny, Parata, opposed it. ' Mr Bathgate, in view of the unmistakable expression of opinion against the motion, asked leave to withdraw it; but was refused. Mr Stafford characterised the proposal as extraordinary and unconstitutional, saying that if sach a breach of constitutional practice was carried, he would immediately resigu his seat in tho Legislature.

Messrs Collins, Katcnc. and Swanson posed the motion, and it was negatived the voices. The Appropriation Bill Waa a second time, and committed, and not read tho third time, Mr Vogcl saying they could not do so until of the Council's amendments in the Payments to Provi ncea Bill were settled, as it was possible the session might last some weeks even yet. Mr Fox said it would not last long if «,„ House supported the Government i n t Ue action they would take if forced to do so. The Branuigan Pension Bill has been withdrawn, after a debate, in which considerable opposition was made to granting the pension The Government, in obedience to the evident wish of the House, promised to bring down a vote of a lump sum, instead of a pension They suggest £1200, but several members' said they would not support more than £1000. The House was then adjourned to noon on Monday.