PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 765, 24 September 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

WiiCLiNc.TOjs, September 23. ■("lie House of Representatives met at 7.30. .Mr. Richardson gave notice that he would move, " That the Government should let no contracts hi the future until after the estimates had reissc.;'. Vile House." With reference to '.!- n.iuuei on the U'aitotara I W'"H:k. Mr. I.iu.eiiaii iieiieml ii a purely private | mui-iim, with no relation to the survey of the plains. i Maori chiefs had hiljl.v arrived in Wellington, owning i land where the murder happened, and had been a i-.nished and horrified at the news of the crime. Th, chiefs had also appointed search parties bv telegraph at once, and he (Mr. Sheehan) expected the murderer would he arrested. Rewi telegrivpned his regret, and wanted particulars deicuhing the person of the murderer 'i'hi; Government believed that if the murderer went into the Kins Country, the first act of the .Maoris would be to give him up to the authorities. The criminal owned no land, and tinsurprise shown by the native chiefs of the district who were now in Wellington was a convincing proof that it was unexpected anil regretted by them. Mr. Maefarlane asked the Government to substitute the Sydney Customs regulations for those m force in Xew Zealand. 'the Kremitr replied that the Government had the subject tinder consideration, and would inform the Plouse of their decision in a few davs. The Otago and Southland Education Keserves Hill was read a first time. Xu Committee on the Electoral Bill, Mr. Stevens proposed an amendment on clause 7—" That the House should fix the salaries of and returning officers." The amendment was lost by 50 to •J.L The schedules of the Electoral Bill were passed, and three new schedules added. Verbal amendments were made in several clauses. Clause 117 was amended to allow nominations to be made by telegraph, under the Telegraph Notices Act. The report on the Electoral Bill is to be considered on Thursday next. Mr. Ballance gave notice that he would ask for a further imprest sitpp.lv to-morrow. Mr. Kiehardsoii objected to furtber gTants being placed in the hands of the Government without the control of the House. His resolution was made independently of the other members, and it was therefore not a vote of cotisure. He would move the resolution upon going into Committee of Supply tomorrow. The House then went into Committee of Supply on the vote for Lunatic Asylums. Mr. Fox said that half the Inmates of lunatic asylums were rendered insane through the effects of drink, and the same was true of the gaols. The best way to reduce the cost of both gaols and lunatic asylums was to lessen the number of public-houses. The vote of L 35.202 for asylums was passed. In the Agent-General's Department a vote of L 40.000 was passed, and in the Inspector of Machinery Department L 1791 was passed. Mr. Sutton moved that the sum of L3OO on the Estimates for the appointment of a District Judge for Gisborne and Napier be struck out, as it was unnecessary. Jlr. Sheehan defended the appointment, because the increase of population had added to the number .Qf cases. Both towns were thriving places. Major Atkinson objected to such a large vote being included under one head;, as being contrary to thg usual practice of the House. The Colonial Treasurer agreed to take the synopsis separately. In the Department of Justice, L 1355 was passed ; Crown Law Office Department, L2llO ; Land Claim Office, reduced from L 350 to L 250. The remainder of the sitting was passed in Committee of Supply, and in consideration of the Estimates.

The other items in Class 2, " Law and Justice," were all passed. ■ A discussion took place on some of the items, but all were passed without alteration. The Committee got as far as " Marine," which passed, and progress was reported. Th House adjourned at five minutes to 2 a.m.