NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 220, 16 September 1868, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Friday, August 14. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. To a question by Mr Collins relative to a lighthouse at Cape Farewell, Mr Hall stated that the •work would shortly be commenced. Mr Travers expressed his willingness to relieve the Government of the bill to amend the JJankruptcy law. Bishop of New Zealand Trusts Bill read a second time. Bills of Sale Act Amendment Bill read a second time. Prevention of Frauds Bill considered in committee and reported. The House went into committee to consider the Standing orders having reference to conferences between the two Houses of Legislature. The Goldfields Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. The petition of Auckland School Teachers, on the motion of Mr Williamson, was referred back to the committee on public petitions. Mr T. M'Farlane moved, That a return be laid on the table showing the names of all persons in receipt of pensions or allowances from the Colonial Government; the amount each person receives per annum; the Act under which granted; and the cause for which granted. Agreed to. Leave was granted to Mr Williamson to bring in a bill to amend the Protection to Animals Bill, • 1867. Mr. Russell moved, That in the opinion of the House, electors of the Maori race qualified under the Maori Representation Act, 1867, ought to be relieved from the restrietions imposed upon them by the sixth section of the Act, in so far as it affects their free choice of representatives from amongst persons duly qualified under the NewZealand Constitution Act. A debate followed, and the motion was lost by a majority of 10. The adjourned debate oh the Savings Banks Deposits Fund was resumed, and a return showing the amount of trust or deposit funds held by the Government, and the specific securities (if any); and' what amount unsecured or uninvested, or held in cash as a reserve, was agreed to. The adjourned debate on the question that the officers of the Legislative should have the control of the printing establishment during session, undej direction of the Speaker, was resumed, the motion negatived, and the House adjourned. Tuesday, August 18. Mr Stafford made a statement of the conversion of New Zealand loans up to June 15; the amounts received and converted up to that date were: General Government Bonds, 6 per cent. (1860), £54,300; 5 per cent, loan (1863) £410,600; 6 per cent (1863) £861,300; total £1,326200. Provincial: Canterbury (1862) £430,400; Canterbury Railway (1862) £206,400; Otago Half-million £341,300; Auckland Half million £467,500: Hawke's Bay £60,000; total £1,495,600: grand total £2.821,800, which, added to the Act of last session for raising £1,114,000,. make a total of nearly £4,000,000; ' " ' * A debate on breach of 'privilege resulted in a majority of only 2 in favor of the motion. Mr Stafford spoke highly of Mr'Kynnersley'B conduct as Nelson Goldfields Commissioner. Message from Governor, assenting to the following: Interest on Moneys Act 1868, Pawnbrokers Act 1868, Treason Felony Act 1868. Bills on Ferries and Bridges and Prevention of Fraud read a third time and passed. Lunatics Bill, after discussion, read a second time; likewise the Provincial Lawsuits Act Amendment Bill. Provincial Audit Act Amendment Bill recommitted dor further consideration. Report of Printing Committee laid on table. A motion by Mr Graham to the effect that one regiment of Imperial troops should be retained in New Zealand on condition that the Colonial Government should place £50,000 on the estimates for native and defence purposes, was negatived by 20 to 4. The Westland Representation Act Amendment Bill, prepared by Messrs Harrison and Barff* read a-first time. ' . ; Mr Fox moved for a return of arms issued to friendly natives and • military settlers; arid Mr Richmond expressed his surprise that the Maoris should be in possession of Snider rifles when the Government could not get them. Mr Graham moved, that the circurastancea of i the country did not require the seryicßß..of .» Defence Minister. Debate* adjourned.

A very gratifying testimonial, in the j form of a handsome silver claret jug and ■ Salver, was presented to Mr Lowther Broad, the Dew Warden at the Thames Goldfield — who passed through Nelson last week en route for Auckland — by the people of the Arrow District, Otago, where he hml exercised the functions of Resident Magistrate aud Goldfiels Warden . for spme.time past, previous to his depart ture from that district. It would appear that the determination on the par* of the Imperial Government: to graut a decoration to the troops engaged in the late campaign in New Zealand, announced by the last telegram from Europe, was probably suggested by a motion by LortiEnfield on the 3rd of July, calliug the attention of the House of Commons to the services of the forces employed in the late war in New Zealand, and asking the Secretary of War whether it was intended to issue any decoration for such service. The following appears in one of the Army and Nary Gazettes received by the last mail from London:-— « Sir S. Northcote, in the House of Commons, stated that six months' batta would be allowed to the troops who had served in Abyssinia, in consideration of the great hardships of the campaign. All must agree that the troops have well earned this recompense. At the same time it is much to be regretted that the campaign in New Zealand, which extended over a period of more than two years, and in which the troops experienced quite as much hardship as in the Abyssinian campaign, and, in addition, fought many severe actions, and lost many gallant offi« cers and men ; for over two years were living under canvas, exposed to every vicissitude — frost in winter, heavy rains io autumn and spring, a»d excessive heafc in summer ; had to make long marches through a country almost as unknown as Abyssinia, and surrounded by well armed gallant savages, who disputed every inch of ground, and cut off all stragglers, attacked constantly the convoys, and erected works of defence as scientifically constructed and as strong as European forts — remains unrewarded. The senior officers were lavishly rewarded by having the decoration of the Bath bestowed on them, by promotions and brevets; but the junior officers and men remain to this day without any thiujj to show for their gallant services.