New Zealand Parliament.

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 237, 25 June 1870, Page 5

New Zealand Parliament.

As last session, we purpose making selections of general interest, from Hansard and other sources, of the proceeding in Parliament. run BALLOT. On June 17, Mr Fox moved for leave to bring in a Bill to make provision for the regulation and conduct of elections of members of the House of lleprcscutatives and Superintendents of certain provinces, and members of Provincial Councils. The hon gentleman said that the measure would have been passed last session but for the circumstance of it having been delayed till too late, as it had a majority of both Houses in its favor. Hon. members would see that in England they had adopted the vote by ballot, and he thought that it would be a great boon to this young and rising country. Seeing that it was favorably regarded by the branches of the Legislature, the Government have resolved to take the measure in hand this session themselves. Leave given on the voices, read a first time, ordered to be printed, and ordered to bo read a second time on Wednesday. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS ACT Mr W. H. Harrison moved for leave to biing in a Bill to amend the Municipal Corporations Act, in order to empower Borough Councils to levy special rates for fire prevention purposes. Leave granted, Bill read a first time, ordered to be printed, and second reading fixed for Wednesday next. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS. The Hon. Mr "Vogel moved, that a select committee be appointed to examine and report upon questions relating to the public accounts; the said committee to consist of Mr Curtis, the Hon. Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Gillies, Mr Kelly, Mr Macffarlane, Mr Peacock, the Hon, Mr Stafford, and Mr Stevens. The hon. member said that it was not intended that this should be made a political committee; there were many questions of figures connected with the public accounts cropping up before the House, and if this were adhered to, the committee would be an exceedingly useful one. He might take this opportunity of saying that it was his intention, if the House would provide the trifling additional clerical assistance required, to furnish the Provinces with a full statement of what they were charged with. (Hear, hear.) Mr Gillies, in supporting the resolution, said that since the present Colonial Treasurer took office the provinces had certainly obtained fuller returns. Hr Hall and Mr Harrison supported the motion which was carried on the voices.