PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 139, 12 December 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

I -om our Special Correspondent. [I3Y TELEGRAPH.] Wellington, Dec 10. AN ACROBATIC LEGISLATOR. The .sensation of to-day iu the lobbies was undoubtedly the acrobatic performance of Mr Moss, member fur Parnell, who during the division in tho House this afternoon, was absent when tho doors were locked and the barricade closed in the lobby. Mr Moss being anxious to vote, sprung over the barricade and alighted on the back of a constable on the opposite side, but tho constable hung on to him and would not allow him to vote. Tho circumstance came up in the House as a question of privilege, when Mr Moss apologised for his conduct, and there the matter ended. I AN ALL-NIGHT SITTING. The sitting of the House over the Land Bill last night was the longest that has taken place for years past. Members addressed themselves to the Bill almost continuously from 7.30 p.m., and ultimately dispersed in broad daylight, after a sitting of nearly ten hours’ duration, without having coinnlcted their task, tho question of the abolition of Land Boards being still undecided. Twenty-six members remained for the final division. HV.tQI GAGGING MEMBERS. The Standing Orders’ Committee report that as none of the standing orders refer to Hansard, provision for management of which rests with tho Reporting Debates’ and Printing Committee, it is not in their opinion desirable to frame any standing order limiting the time during which any member’s speech may be reported. THE LORDS UPSET. There is a gentle flutter in the breasts of some of the Legislative Councillors, and Dr Pollen, it is reported, has packed up his belongings and sent in his resignation to the Governor. Others are considering whether they will do likewise, and it is rumored that most of the Councillors residing in Wellington will probably resign. There are two causes of grievance. First, the Attorney-General tabled a motion in council relating to the honorarium on the very day the bill passed the Lower House, and this is considered to be an infringement of tho privileges of the Council; secondly, Councillors residing in Wellington consider it ail insult that they should be placed on a different footing from the Wellington members of tlie House in respect of honorarium. Dec. 11. BRIEF MENTION. The Treasurer is to consider the best means of dealing with absentees during the recess Absentees own something less than half a million worth of property in the Colony. Tho School of Military Instruction, Wellington, will probably be soon abolished.

Normal Schools and Colleges are to have tho pruning knife liberally applied with a view to their abolition. The Legislative Council have struck out the clause in tho Municipal Corporations Bill providing for the election of Mayors by the Council. News of the dismissal of Mr Bryce’s petition against Mr Hutchison was announced in tho House on Friday morning by Mr Seddon. The Public Works Statement is to bo delivered on Monday night. The Government hope to finish business by about Tuesday week next, Saturday sittings being agreed to by 59 to 9. Mr Downie Stoward has been congratulated by his Dunedin constituents for his action in regard to the Representation Bill.

The Post says if the Waitotara election had been upset on the evidence adduced every election in tho Colony might be upset. The estimates will bo considered about Wednesday and will probably be rushed through at a single sitting.

Tho Premier has intimated what Bills should be passed into law this session, viz., Land Bill, Railway Bill, Crown and Native L inds Rating Act Repeal Bill and Australian Naval Defence Bill. The Premier intimate.l that tho Government greatly desired to pass a number of Bills, as follows Naval Military Settlers Volunteer Land Bill, Civil Service Reform, Government Loans to Local Bodies Amendment, Loans to Local Bodies Amendment, Public Reserves Bills, dealing with the native reserves are now before the Council, all the others will be abandoned this session. It is proposed to discuss the Otago Central and Kawakawa Railway Bills tomorrow morning at eleven o’clock after the Local Bills arc dealt with. The general feeling is in favor of the Otago Cent.al. bur it thought not unlikely that by ic,>. 3 ,i/i of ir.~ being bracketed with Mr ll'.bb's K-twakii«a Bill ic may experience more opposition than would other wise be the ease. .Sir George Grey especially objects to P = p^p"**' l precedence to iai!wav bills and will probably ■eon- am".,! toe notion, '-.din.-r them on by