PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 395, 3 August 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(by telegraph.) . «. Wellington, August 3. The House of Representatives met at the usual hour yesterday. Amongst the notices of motion given were the following : Mr. Macandrew gave notice to ask whether the colony was likely to lose the services of Sir Julius Vogel at the end of the present year. Mr. O'Rorke gave notice of his intention to move for a grant of LSOOO in aid of the public libraries throughout the colony. Mr. Stout gave notice to move that the Governor of the colony be in future elected by the people of the colony. The Premier, replying to Mr. Brown, said it was not the intention of the Government to recommend any further nomination to the Legislative Council this year. In reply to Mr. Fitzroy, Mr. McLean said arrangements had been made for opening telegraph offices at all the principal railway stations. Mr. Rees asked by whoso authority telegrams sent to the Press are perused and amended by them without the consent of the senders. Mr. McLean said that so far as he was informed, it was not true that telegrams had been altered or words excised from telegrams, but it was their function to decide what was Press matter and what was private—a matter which affected the revenue considerably. Mr. Rees afterwards gave notice of a motion for a Committee to inquire into the matter.

Sir George Grey introduced the Treennial Parliament Bill and the Manhood Suffrage Bill, both which were read a first time.

Mr. Burns moved for a return showing the cost of the Railway Commission, with individual expenses of each member, and where the Hinemoa was engaged, and her cost of maintenance dining the trip. After some discussion, 'during which the action of the Government with regard to the management of the Northern railway was condemned, the motion was agreed to. On the motion of Mr. Burns, a Select Committee was appointed to enquire into

the necessity for a Weather Reporting and Storm Signalling Department, also to enquire into the working of the steamers Hinemoa and Stella. Mr. Reynolds moved, " That a return be furnished setting forth the amount cf town and country land in each Provincial District for educational purposes ; particularly whether held by the Government Education Boards, Trustees, or by Corporate bodies." Mr. Bowen said the information would be supplied in a few days. On the motion of Mr. Johnston, copies of tenders for the present contract for the conveyance from the United Kingdom of immigrants and Government material bo laid before the House, were laid upon the table. Mr. Wakefield moved for a return of the amount of fees levied without the authority of law by the instructions of the Surveyor-General during the past year. After some discussion the motion was agreed to. Mr. Recs moved—"That this Houso is of opinion that it is unjust and unconstitutional for the Government to defend an action brought by one citizen against another ; and that after the vote of the House last session striking out the item asked for on the Waka Maori newspaper, and the strong expression of opinion that the Government should not support the paper as before, their conduct in doing so was highly reprehensible." A discussion took place upon the motion, but was interrupted by the usual adjournment at 5.30 p.m. At the evening sitting of the House, Mr. Burns moved that steps be taken to prevent members of the Otago Harbour Board paying themselves fees, in defiance of the 4th section of the Otago Harbour Board Act, 1870.

Sumu discussion look place, but, eventually the motion was withdrawn, the Government announcing that an opportunity for dealing with the matter would be atlbrded when they brought down their General Harbour Board Bill. Mr. Hodgkinson asked if the Government would call for tenders for the completion of the Kivoiton and Otautau light railway, and whether it is intended to proceed first with the portion between Hiverton and the junction of Otautau and Wallacetown ! The Hon. Mr. Onnond replied that tenders had been called fur that portion between Hiverton and Otautau Junction, but that the construct ion of the other part would not be proceeded with until the first mentioned was completed.