EPITOME OF PARLIAMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume VII, Issue 422, 17 August 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

EPITOME OF PARLIAMENT.

Tuesday, August G. In the House of Representatives, Several question, relative to returns were answered by Ministers. ; q _ , In reply to Mr Swanstou, the Premier intimated that it was not intended to comply wjth the recommendation of the Petitions Committee to introduce a Permissive Education Bill. The Speaker read Mr Cantrell’s ressigiiation of .his seat for Cayersham, and a new writ was ordered. , . The Tramways Bill was read a third time and passed. '' : • "> " ’ ■ The Permanent Officers Salaries Bill was, after some debate, read a secbnd time. The Greymouth Harbor Works Validation Bill was passed through committee. The Licensing Bill was considered in committee. Clauses 1 to 31 inclusive were, postponed on a division by, 32 to 31. Clause 32 the first of the prohibitory or permissive clauses, Avas rejected on a division of 38 to 24. After some further debate, progress was reported, and leave obtained to sit again. The folloAving bills were read a second time— Wellington City Reserves RUb Canterbury Waste Lands Bill. ,

The debate on the second reading of the Drainage Bill was adjourned. . ■: • ; >-:'n ( , ; The, debates, ■ on Mr .Gillies’ motion* calling, on the Government to introduce a bill to define the functions of Provincial Councils, was resumed, by Mr Sheeman, and,’ afte'r a few remarks from Mr jGisbourne and Mr .{Wood,. Mr Gillies replied;*, and obtained leave, to,, withdraw the. motion. ; , M v. ■ ’ , A debate took place on the motion for going into committee on the Marriage with a Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill, which watf carried by 35 to 23. In committee, after a long discussion, progress,, Ayas reportedand .leave obtained tojsit again,-.,' r r . t. d , ’ ' The ‘ Taranaki Educations Reserves Bill was considered in committee,, ' ■ ; ’ : ■ <

The Greymouth i Harbor Validation Bill was passed through its remaining stages. .., v , The. Otago .Dock Trust Debt Bill was read a second time. ' 7 • , ' .7 The Schafer Pension Bill was introduced and read a : first time.' 1 - ; 7 ;■) ■■ > ■, A . The Wellington City Reserves Bill was passed through committee, and the Highway Boards Empowering 'Bill was rend a second time. “ | The debate on 1 Mr CoUins’ motion for the reduction of the export duty on: gold was resumed by Mr White, who spoke in favor of the motion Mr Duckie opposed the motion, arid Mr Sheehan, . Mr T.ribe, and Mr O’Neill sripported it: Mr Vogel' withdrew the' amendment; which he had on a previous occasion moved,: but he [announced that; the Goyernment would still- y.pte against the motion, in order that the responsibility of -tbo reduction. mightbe' thrown oh those who were effected by it!. Captain Kenny arid Mr Steward supported the motion,'and on a division it was carried by 84$o<ll.'. <7 . , . ’ Wednesday, August 7. Ih the House of Representatives two private bills'were road alfirst time. - 7,!7: .■ : v; ; ;-V'-V •’-• ■ ' • '

In reply to questions, the Government stated ■ the. Tramway from Foxton to Palmerston would probably be completed by the 27th November, and that it was intendod to continue the tramway between Stony Creek and Rangitikei. A return of penalties on the San Francisco mail contractor remitted by the Colonial Treasurer was ordered on the motion of Mr Gillies. Mr Curtis moved a resolution deprecating hasty changes in the boundaries of provinces, and affirming that all such changes should be made on some definite and permanent scheme of general application. Mr Harrison moved the previous question, and a debate ensued, in which Messrs Stafford, Collins, Macaudrew, J. Shephard, Reid, and Mr M’Gillivray, supported the motion ; while Messrs Tribe, Rhodes, T. L. Shephard, White, O’Connor, and Mr Fox, supported the amendment. On a division, the previous question was negatived by 37 to 29. The motion was then agreed to. • Mr Reynolds moved his resolution in favor of the establishment of two provinces, one for each island. Sir D. Monro seconded the motion. The debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr Steward. Tuesday, August 8. In the House of Representatives the following new bills were introduced and read a first time : Canterbury Province Boundaries Extension Bill (Mr Ingles) ; Nelson Waste Lands Amendment Bill (Mr Collins); Interest Bill (Mr Bathgate). Mr O’Neill moved a resolution in favour of giving an additional representative to the Thames district. After a debate the motion was negatived on a division of 41 to 21, and an amendment, moved by Mr Murray, to the effect that it was inexpedient to interfere with the representation of the the whole question could be reconsidered and readjusted. A recommendation from the Library Committee, in reference to enlarging the Library, was, on Mr Macandrew’s motion, adopted on a division of 35 to 26. ' The report of the New South Wales Goldfields Commission was ordered to be printed. Mr Harrison’s motion in favour of the salaries of goldfields wardens being voted by the Assembly, was, after some debate, withdrawn. The Southland Waste Lands Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, as also the Wellington College Bill. Borough of Wanganui Borrowing Bill, and Schafer Pension Bill. The Resident Magistrates Act Amendment Bill and Otago Dock Trust Bill were passed through committee. The Taranaki Education Reserves Bill and Wellington City Reserves Bill were read a third time and passed. The. debate on Mr Reynolds’ insular separation motion was resumed, aud, after several members had spoken, was adjourned till Wednesday next. The Highway Boards Empowering Act, Amendment Bill went into committee, but after considerable discussion the bill was reported, without anything having been done,4eave being given to sit again.