NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume VII, Issue 434, 28 September 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

September 18. — The Auckland Mechanic’s Institute and Temperance Hall Site Bills were read a second time. The Drainage Bill was read a second time, on a division, by .‘l7 to 6, after a long debate. Mr Murray then withdrew the Bill on Mr Stafford's assurance that the Govern ment would consider the matter during the recess with a view to the introduction of a more complete measure next session. The Limited Companies Winding-up Bill was read a second time. The Otago Waste Lands Bill was considered in Committee, and progress was reported. Mr Macandrcw has withdrawn his insular separation resolution^ September 19.—Mr Stafford to-day announced the death of Patuhone, brother to Tamati Waki, and stated that instructions had been given to the Government agent in Auckland to give the deceased chief a public funeral. Mr Tairoa (Maori) introduced a Bill to constitute a Native Council for the Middla .Island. Mr Collins introduced a bill to provide for tbe formation of the Nelson South-West Goldfields into a County, with a definite share of its own revenues. , The bill is also to be applicable t,o form the Amur! district into a County. Mr Sheehan’s amendment on Mr Macandrew’s motion relative to the allocation of the Goldfields Water Supply vote amongst the Provinces, on a basis of their mining population, under direction of the local authorities, was, after a further debate, negatived, by 29 to 23. Mr Gillies has 'announced that he hoped to make his Financial Statement on Tuesday, and that the Public Works Statement would probably be made on Thursday. Mr Curtis has taken up Mr O’Conor’s bill to extend miners’ rights so as to make them apply either to Nelson or Westland, when once issued. Mr White suggested that they should run over the whole Colony.

Mr Curtis promised to consider the suggestion. Mr Shepherd presented twenty-seven petitions from the Province of Nelson against any alteration of the Provincial boundary. In reply to Mr Bathgate, Mr Stafford said it was not the intention of the Government to recommend any members of Legislature for the Civil Service Commission. In reply to Mr Kelly. Mr Eeid said that the Government intended to proceed with other works besides those already contracted for, but before coming to any final decision they would obtain tho Actuary’s report, which was being prepared, as to the liabilities of the colony for contracts entered into and the probable available balance of the loan. The Government would then recommend what should be done _with the balance. They had astertaiucd that the receipts of the Wanganui and Waitara line would be fifty per cent below the working expenses, therefore, it was not likely to be immediate!}' proceeded with.

Mr Macandrews’s motion for handing over £IOO,OOO to the Otago Provincial Council for water supply on the Goldfields, was opposed by Mr Stafford. '

Mr Mervyu suggested its withdrawal, and the appointment of a Minister of Mines. Mr Sheehan traversed the motion by an amendment, and the debate was adjourned. The Auckland Mechanics’ Institute Site Sale Bill, the Auckland Temperance Hall Site, Bill,, aud the Limited Liability Joint Stocks Companies Bill were read the second time. The Drainage Bill was read the second time so as to affirm the principle of it, and then withdrawn, the Government promising to consider the subject during the recess. ■ Mr Luckie has given notice that be wiirask

the Minister for Public Works to-morrrow, when the Government purposes proceeding with the construction of the Nelson and Fox Hill railway, and when tenders or contracts would be applied for.

The Government have given notice of a Bill for amending the 11 ail way Act of last year. It is that it is intended to throw out several of the railways. At a large meeting of members of the Opposition, Mr Fox notified that Ire did not intend to again take any Ministerial office, but would still head the Opposition and support the policy of the late Ministry. The Opposition are very cordial and united. September 20. —The whole of last night was spent in Committee on the Otago Laud Bill. In the Legislative Council a bill to re-admit Mr Smythies to the bar was rejected by. 21 to 7. The Stamp Act was considered in Committee to-day. Progress jvas reported, to allow time for the preparation of an amendment rendering it only necessary to have only ■ one adhesive' stamp cancelled by one of ttio parties to any document. New duties will commence on the Ist December. The protection of Animals Amendment Bill was considered in Committee. An amendment of Mr Steward’s to prohibit duck-shooting in Otago for two years, was negatived. Yesterday (Tuesday). The Colonial said itwoull ho inconvenient for him to deliver his Financial Statement to-night as the tables which would be necessary to make it intelligible would,not he printed. He should therefore postpone the delivery of the Statement till Friday, by which time the tables would be n sidy. In ’■eply to Mr Vogel, the Minister for Public Works said he would not deliver his Statement till,after the Colonial Treasurer had made his. It would be evident to the House that the one was dependent on the .other. In reply to Mr Sheehan, the Premier said that the Government had no objection to lay upon table the opinion of the Attorney-General as to the sufficiency of the present discxualification laws to prevent public works contractors and their servants, agents, employees, and all other persons beneficially interested in such contracts, vb from holding seats in the House. At the same |f time he did not agree to the proposition that / House was bound by the Attorney-General’s opinion on such a matter. In reply to Mr Bradshaw, The Colonial Treasurer explained that the apparent discrepancy of £13,1(50 between the statements of receipts and expenditure of public moneys for immigration and public works as given by the late Colonial Treasurer and late Minister for Public Works, was not real.