PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 399, 10 August 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(by telegraph.)

Wellington, August 10,

In the House of Representatives yesterday, Sir George Grey presented a petition, containing over 1409 signatures, praying for an amendment in the licensing laws. In reply to Mr. Barff, the Premier said the Government had taken steps for the formation of two Schools of Mines—one in Canterbury and one in Otago—and that the papers would be laid on the table of the House. Mr. J. E. Brown obtained a Committee to inquire into and report upon the present system of managing railways. The adjourned debate on Mr. Macaudrew's resolutions was then resumed, but after some slight discussion it was adjourned till Thursday. A lengthy discussion took place upon Mr. Rees' motion for a Select Committee to inquire into the whole of the circumstances under which the Government paid off the overdraft of the Borough of Thames. Several members expressed the opinion that the Government ought to have taken the earliest opportunity of explaining the matter. Eventually an amendment, moved by the Premier and accepted by Mr. llees, I referring the matter to the Public Accounts Committee, was agreed to. On the motion of Mr. Gisborne, the Goldfield's Committee was instructed to report what rewards should be authorised 1 y the House to be offered in the North and South Island, and on what terms, for the discovery of payable goldfields ; also, what steps should be taken for the encouragement of prospecting for gold and other precious minerals. Mr. Rees obtained the appointment of a Select Committee to enquire whether telegraph officials peruse telegrams with a view of altering the same, witiiout the consent of the sender. Mr. Sharp moved—" That the resolu- < tion requesting the Government to grant 1 free passes on railways 6e rescinded."

Dr. Wallis supported the motiotl ■ which wa3 opposed by Messrs. Joyc| Morris, and Murray. < The debate was interrupted by tU' , usual dinner adjournment. Shortly after the House resuming, }>[• { Fox proceeded to move the second rear; iug of the Local Option Bill. He spoL for over an hour in a vigorous, earned speech in support of the Bill. He ei' plained its principle and leading detail contending for the people, adult mill and females, having the power to alio i or disallow public-houses in their distrit' by a majority of votes, not by a majorii . of two-thirds. He urged that \otiu 1 jiapers should be left at each house b i the State,, which should also oolitic] them, and said that there should bo n compensation to publicans whoso license • were refused. The following speaker j opposed the Bill, mainly on the grontii ] that it did not provide for compensatiot and being such an extreme measure i must prove unworkable :-Dr. Wallis 1 Messrs. Fisher, Mandurs, Bowen, Sutton I Bnrff, Harper, Girborne, Richardsot | and Rolleston. Three Maori niembci 1 supported the Bill, as did also Messrs | Wakefield, Thompson, and Fitzroy. Tli | debate was adjourned at 12.40 to Wed | nesday, on the motion of Mr. Taiaroa. i