PARLIAMENTARY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXX, Issue 5293, 11 August 1874, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM OUR 8PF.CIAL CORRESPONDENT. ) WELLINGTON, Monday, 5 30 p.m.

THE OYSTER BILL. A bill to amend tlie Oyter Fisheries Act 1866, passed by the Upper House, will bo presented to the House of Representatives to-night. Ifc includes rock oysters between hiflh »nd low water mark, and renders them subject to the provisions of the Act of 1866.

THE FOREST PLANTING BILL. The Forest Bill which passed through the committee of the whole House on Friday night is printed It provides a sum of £10,000 annually for thirty years out of the Consoh dated Fund, to be paid into a special State Forest Account The receipts from the forests to b« paid into the same account, the proceeds to be expended on the management of State forests, including planting, the construction of roads and bridges for the purpose of obtaining access ft> the forests, tha purchase of Jand fur Stato for•sts, the education of persons in the science of Forestry, the Estiblishment of Schools and Colleges, for teaohing forestry, nurseries, for traes, ic. A responsible Minister of the Orown is to be Commissioner of State Forests. It empowers tho appointment of a conservator of State forests and two assistants, and other necessary officers. The State foreits shall consist of such lands aa the Assembly shall hereafter from time to time determine, and of such lands as the province* oflar to set apart for the purpose. If such lands are subject to a pastoral leaso, or b«in use, the Commissioner of Foreata may arrange with the lesBes or licensee for tho cancellation of his right. Alt the rents of such lands to go to the State Forest Account. The leases in State forests may be granted not beyond 1884. Towns may be constituted within State forests. Any one township not to exceed 20,000 acrei. The surplus moneys may be invested. The Governor in Council nay make various bye-laws as stated ia the original bill, and impose penalties for infringements. Other formal and technical provisions are made.

THE POLYNESIAN SCHEME. The South Sefc bill is growing in f»Tor in the Home. Men of large views admire the scheme and its prospocts. There will be Homo kind of opposition, but it is exptcted that the Hou-e will carry the hill

ABOLISHING NORTH ISLAND PROVINCES. Mr. Reader Wood's reported motion about tha North Island consolidation is deemed out of place as coming from an outside membtr. It it felt that a subject so large

anJ so atly cfiVcting the colony, should o> me (h. ft from the Ministry, and not pass !,\ .i mile wind. Many who a«roe to tiio (jjo| o-jition, will not vote with Mr. Wood, and the piobability is "the pievious question" will xueet Mr. Wood's motion. Unless otherwise ordered tho Ministry will bling down resolutions of ibi own. which is not considoicd likely. It is thought by some that the Premier allowed himself too great latitude re tho Noith Island provinces, and that it would have been better had he said less There is little or nothing either to telegraph or write. 7 p.m. I learn that Mr. Voc;el will intimate to tho House of Representatives to-niqht or tomorrow that the Government intend to move ne^t session that the North Island provinces be amalgamated. This will take the wind out of Mr. Reader Wood's sails. WARD-CHAPMAN SCANDXL.

As a witness in tho Ward-Chapman, Mr. Macas^ey ia coming up. It is whispered that he will have to admit that he furnished the peccant telegram to Mr. Muriaon, of the Olat/o Da ih/ Tone*. The question ia— Where did ho pet it "> That, it la said, is on a fair way of being discovered.

UNTRUTHFUL TELEGRAMS. A story, telegraphed hence, and retrans mittcd from Auckland, and published this afternoon, to the effect that Mr Von der Heyde was "convinced his election is void," is totally incorrect. The best answer to thia in that he takes his seat tonight, and will present the petition in favour ot the Kaipara Railway extension. He intends fighting rho queition. MR. FOX AND THE LICENSING BTLL Mr. Fox opens to-night (Monday being Bet apart for the purpos ) on the Licensing Bill. A biilliant speech is expected ; and there has been a large demand for tickets for the ladies' and strangers' galleries. Ho will speak on the motion for going into committee, and when in committee will li^ht every clause of which he disappioves. to he has threatened. 8 p.m. MR. VON DER IIEYDE TAKES HIS SKAT. Mr. Von der Hoyde has just been introduced to the Speaker by Mr. Reader Wood and Mr. J. Sheehan, and takes his oath and his seat.

ABOLISHING THE PROVINCES. The Hon. Mr. Vih.kl has jusb given notice of motion to the effect, that in the opinion of this House, anil consulting the condition of the colony, it is advisable that the piovinces of the North Island should be abolished ; and that the Government during the recess should prepare measures for that purpose—such ine.'iMiies to include an Act f r the validation of the compact of 1S5(], under which the lam' fund should be secured to the southern division of the colony. The announcement was received with cheor3.

KA1PARA RAILWAY. Mr, Vox der Hi,vp,-, has presented tho petition for tho extension of the Kaipara and Lliverhead llaUway being continued to Auckland. fl'hll ANC1IO VUSTRALIAX TEF^dltAM ACJENCV.]

H;USE OF HKPKKSENTATIVES. MONDAV. AlioMSHING OF THE PROVINCES. The Hon. Mr. Vogri, gave notice that ho would introduce t l Jive resolutions : — 1st. 'Jhat ci.iiiidenug the altered circumstances < f tin- olonv, it is dosir.ible th.it tho provinces in the .North Island should bo abolished. 2ad That Wellington should b3 made the Seat of Government. 3rd. That tho laud revenue should be made local revenue, according to what was known as the coim act of 1S.")G ; and that the Government shall, during tho recess, c >nsider how best to give eflect to these resolu. tions. (Applause.)

'I HE PUBLIC REVENUES AC! AMENDMENT BILL provides for tbo appointmont of two Commissioners audit, instead of AuditorGeneral aud Comptroller of Revenue. The Commissioners must uot be membera of the Executive Council or of Assembly. They will hold office during good behaviour, and can only be removed upon address to the Governor-in-Council from General Assembly. The Governor-in-Council may suspend them during the recess ; such suspension, if not reyoked, shall continue in force till the end of next Session, the Commissioners meanwhile drawing salaries of £900 per annum each. The salaries of the Comptroller aud the Auditor-General are raised £100. The third clause of the Act provides that the balance of interest unaccounted for in the colony may be £120,000 of special funds in lieu of £75,000 as provided by the Act of 1872.

THE IMMIGRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS LOAN BILL provides for the appointment by the Governor in Council of two agents who may borrow, on bonds, debentures, or short-dated debentures which may be exchanged for bonds or debentures, £4,000,000 sterling at interest not to exceed 6 per cent, per annum. Of this £3,000,000 are proposed to be expended in the construction of railways now authorised ; £30 000 on public works and goldfields ; £G0,00() on roada m the North Island ; £500,000 for immigration ; and £390,000 on other public works, such as buildings, telegraph linos, lighthouses, &c.