PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 407, 17 August 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) * Wellington, August 17. In the House of Representatives yesterday, the Premier said the Government would ask the House to vote a sum sufficient to cover the expenses of the Nelson Naval Brigade in searching for the Queen Bee's passengers and a donation of LSO to the funds of the corps.

A lively scene took place on Mr. Murray moving that effect be given to the report of the Petitions Committee with reference to land transactions in Napier.

Sir George Grey challenged Mr. Ormond to move for a Committee to inquire into his own transactions. The Premier said that manliness and courage were not characteristics of Sir George Grey. Mr. W. Wood moved that these words should be taken, but the motion was not carried. The Speaker said that it was undesirable that such languare should be used, and that the leader of the House should set a good example. The Premier then said lie had spoken his opinion too plainly, and withdrew the words. He challenged Sir George Grey to put his accusations into writing, and the Government would then give him an opportunity cf justifying his charges before the Supreme Court. Mr. Rees said he was prepared to substantiate the statements made about Mr. Ormond. Oil was then poured upon the troubled waters, and the House proceeded wi'h the business in a more dignified manner. After some discussion, Mr. Murray withdrew his motion with reference to no Government officer receiving over L3OO a year being allowed to receive any remuneration from other bodies or persons for services. Mr. Bastings moved, "That in the opinion of this House, it being now established that the Counties are unable to make provision for the construction and maintenance of the main arterial roads of I the Colony, it is imperative that immediate and permanent provision should be made by the Government for the gradual construction and maintenance of the same."

A discussion ensued, but the debate was interrupted by the usual adjournment at 5.30 p.m. On the House resuming, Mr. White ker drew attention to an article in the Oamaru Mail of the 13th August, reflecting on him in connection with the Native Lands Bill. He said that its alleged facts were pure fictions. He knew nothing of them. The whole thing was entirely false .and untrue. —After a long discussion a motion was passed, declaring the article a breach of privilege, and ordering George Jones, tne printer and publisher, to attend at the Bar of the House. Messrs. Travers, Wakefield, Fox, and others, urged that a severe example should be made of him.

Messrs. Thomson and Reynolds thought that the House should accept Mr. Whitaker's statement, and let the matter drop. The Native Lands Bill debate was resumed by Takamoana, who spoke strongly against the Bill, and urged that, the Government having failed to propose a satisfactory measure, the Maoris should now prepare a Bill. Te Witi and Hone Mahe spoke in favor of allowing the Bill to drop. Mr. Lowe strongly condemned its provisions. Mr. Hunter urged giving time to the Government to consult the natives. Mr. Bryce made several suggestions regarding the character of legislation required, and regretted that Mr. Ballance's amendment was not accepted. No one else speaking, the motion, as amended, passed, as follows, without division or opp jsition :—" That the order of the day be discharged, to enable the Government to give effect to the amendment of the hon. member for Rangitikei now pending, as an amendment to the order for the second reading of the Bill." The Auckland Grammar School Site, New River Harbour Board Management Conveyancing Ordinance Amendment, and • New Plymouth Harbour Board Amendment Bills were read » second time. The Dunedin Drill-shed Reserves and Invercargill Gasworks Loan Billa were read a third time, and passed. The Home adjourned at 12.15.