PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9307, 16 September 1893, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[by telegraphspecial correspondent.] Wellington, Friday. THE OFFICERS OF PARLIAMENT. Thk officers of the House and the privileges of Parliament occupied the attention of the Council this afternoon, upon the notice of motion of the Hon. Dr. Pollen, " that in the opinion of the Council the control of the officers of the Legislative Council constitutionally is, and should remain, with the hon. the Speaker." The hon. gentleman made a very temperate, well balanced, and effective speech in support of his motion. The question was adjourned until Monday next. THI'J FERNHILL RAILWAY. Voluminous evidence, including that of Sir R. Stout and Messrs. Maxwell and Logan, was taken in committee to-day on the Fernhill railway matter. It transpired that the Commissioners moved the line, and that Sir Robert was not interested in the line, except as mortgagee. lb is understood that the matter of the disputed cheque transaction was also ventilated, and Sir Robert's conduct in the whole business was completely vindicated. JOTTINGS. There is discontent in the Railway Department according to the Premier, from one end of the colony to the other. There has been unfair promotion, and young men have been most improperly passed over the heads of old, tried, and experienced men, who have spent the best years of their life in tho service. The Premier's supporters on the Railway Management Bill consider the reduction of the vote for departmental officers of the railway, by £5, in Committee of Supply, yesterday, tantamonnttoavoteof censure upon the Commissioners, and a happy augury of the success of the Bill. The changed attitude of the Government to-day as to the amendments to the Electoral Bill to be introduced by Message from the Governor, was, I believe, mainly owing to the urgent representations of Sir J. Hall, who, apprehensive of the danger of a further attempt to procure an adverse vote in the Council, begged the Premier to adopt the safe course of a Supply Bill. The Premier's speech on the second reading of the Railway Bill occupied two hours in its delivery, and according to tho leader of the Opposition was one long tirado of accusations and recrimination, prompted by personal animus. Amongst the petitions presented to-day were the following:—From natives of Kaiapoi protesting against the native Acts, by Mr. Cadman; from Patrick McMahon, military services ; and from W. G. Garrard re "claim of £27 10s against his son." Three days leave of absence has been granted Mr. T. Thompson through illness. "I will bring Mr. McKerrow here in half-an-hour to disprove these statements," said Mr. Fergus in the course of the Pre- : mier's railway speech. The Native Land Purchase and Acquisii tion Bill has passed through the Native Affairs Committee with numerous and important amendments totneet the objections raised on the second reading. The Bill is now being printed with amendments for consideration on Tuesday. Mr. Harkness is asking for a Royal Commission to inquire into and report on " the scheme of so-called co-operation." Mr. Thompson is getting better. Further leave was asued for in order that he might get rest. The leader of the Opposition occupied two hours in the delivery of his speech on the Railwav Bill in answer to the Premier. Sir R. Stout's speech on the Railway Bill will, I. think, be considered one of his finest efforts.