DOINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7382, 7 August 1889, Page 4

DOINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

In the Legislative Council yesterday an Act to Amend the Land Transfer Act was read a first time. The Canterbury Society of Arts Bill was read a third time and passed. The Copyright BUI was, on the motion of the Attorney-General, discharged from the Order Paper. The hon. gentleman said he saw no chance of passing the Bill this session, and introduced it so that copies might be sent to different persons interested. The Public Beserves Act was committed, read a third time and passed. The Council rose at 4.55 p.m. In the Lower House an interim report was presented by the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of Christie ot Oamaru, making certain charges against Judge Ward. The report was to the effect that the case in question waa sub judice, and the Committee did not feel justified in dealing further with the matter at present. Mr Seddon moved that tbe report be referred back to the Committee for fur-ther,-coruudei-laon, and a prolonged discussion took: place. The amendment was finally lost oa the voices, and the-

report ordered to lie on the table. Mr Larnach said he intended giving' notice of the appointment of a Oommittee to report on the correspondence 'between the Government and Judge Ward, and to act with a Committee for the Legislative €ouncU. In reply to the Premier, he disclaimed the idea of this being a hostile motion, and consented to adjourn it tail the next day. Mr J. C. Brown elicited the information that the cost of "the colony being represented on the Pasteur Rabbit Commiseion in New South Wales was -3501. The rest of the questions being postponed, the Houa« resumed consideration of the Eepresenta. tion Bill in Committee. Sir J. Hall moved a new clause, to the effect that in elections in city electoral districts where three candidates are to be elected no elector shall be allowed to vote for more than two candidates. After considerable discussion the amendment was lost by 61 to 18. The Bill as amended was reported, the amendments to bo Bet down for consideration next sitting day. The | Post Office Bill was reported without amendment, road a third time and passed. Further debate took place on the second reading of the Otago Central Railway Bill, and it was ultimately adjourned on the voices for a fortnight. Some attention was given to the Libel Bill in Committee, and then the Premier explained that the adjournment of the Otago Bailway Bill had taken place by mistake owing to bis absence from the House. He said the Government could not permit a Government measure to be treated in this way, and asked permission to move, without notice, that the order be rescinded, and the BUI placed on the Order Paper for next day. This the House refused, and the Premier then gave notice to move next day in the direction he had indicated. Of course, ha said, the Government could allow no further business to be done that night, and he therefore moved the adjournment of the House, which took place thus abruptly at 10.30 p.m.