PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 493, 27 November 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(by telegkaph.) Wellington, November 27. In the Legislative Council, yesterday, in reply to the Eon. Mr. Hall, Colonel Whitmore said it was the intention of Government to bring in a Bill this sessicn-.for the purpose of remedying some technical' defects in the Counties Act.

The motion of Colonel Brett to fie effect that it is desirable the Volunteer system should be re-organised was agreed to. Last night Colonel Whitmore moved ■formally, and it was agreed to on a division by a majority of three, that the Council should not insist upon its amendments in the Education Bill.

In the House of Representatives, yesterday, Mr. Fox brought up the report of the Disqualification Committee with reference to the sale of the p.s. Luna. Instated that no better price could have been obtained for her in the Colony, but that, as a rule, Government property ought to be disposed of by public auction,' and not by private arrangement. The following Bills were passed through Committee and read a third time :—The Sale of Food and Drugs Bill, the Public Libraries Bill, the Ounarn Harbor Board Amendment Bill, and the Mining Companies Amendment Bill. ■--The Registration of Dogs Bill, and the Gtago Harbor Board Management Bill w«-re discharged. The House, went into Committee on the South Kakaia Road Board Bill. Mr. J. Waßon -moved that the Chairman leave the Chair, which was carried by 24 to 23. It having been stated that Mr. Fox had left the House after the doors were ordered to ; be locked, Mr. Fox was sent for. He said that, on finding he had paired on the Bill, he had left the Cham-

"bet- by the doors, and not .by the window, -as was-reported." None of the doors he passed through were locked. He would not ..soinuiit burglary by breaking out either through a window or a locked door. The Chairman said he would not call on Mr. Fox to vote. He would, however, order a fresh division. On the second division, there were 24 on each side. The Chairman's casting vote was with the noes.

The priucipal feature in the business of the House at the evening sitting was a long discussion in Committee regarding fie .item of L3OOO honorarium to Sir Julius Vogel for his services in England. The vote was supported by AL ssrs. Hunter, Macandrew, Reynolds, Macfarlane, Evans Brown, Atkinson, Stout, Reid and Rowe; and was opposed by Alessrs. Gisborne, Rees, Hodgkinson, Murray, De Liutour, Montgomery, Wood, Sheehan, and Sir George Grey. Ttie item was carried by 33 to 21. All the ordinary estimates were passed, and the House rose at 1.45 a.m.