PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 795, 29 October 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, October 2S. In the Legislative Council to-day, The report of the Conference on the Electoral Bill was brought up. After considerable discussion it was agreed that the Council should give way on all points except the j Maoi-i vote. The report on the Disqualification Act was also brought up and read, and notice was given that its adoption would be moved at the evening sitting. The following Bills were read a third fn if l p?.?.i?'J. "~ "VwV.uatu liigh School, Waikato Crown Lands Bill, Ashburton High School, and Oamara Market Reserve. After Colonel Whitmore had shortly moved the second reading of the Railway Construction Bill, stating that he was advised that the Bill was an Appropriation Bill. Sir Dillon Bell made a long sjtieech quoting numerous precedents, apparently showing conclusively, as he arguod, that the measure was not an appropriation one. The debate then proceeded, it being understood that Mr. Richmond would give his decision in the evening. The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse said the Council should not sanction the construction of these lines until they had more definite information as to their likelihood of offering remunerative returns. He concluded by moving "That this Council is of opinion that enquiry, reports, and surveys necessary to the construction of any railway, should be made prior to its authorisation by a special Act." The Hon. Mr. Hall followed, supporting the second reading, as did the Hons. Messrs. Robinson and Wilson. Sir D. Bell was in favor of the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse's views. His address was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. In the House of Representatives to-day, In reply to Mr. Murray, Sir G. Grey said the Government had already a Drainage Bill printed, and would distribute it among the Agricultural Associations and local bodies during the recess. Mr. Stout presented the report of the conference on the Disqualification Bill, which was agreed to. With respect to the Electoral Bill, he simply announced that the ! managers had not agreed. The Supplementary Estimates 'were sent down by message. Mr. Hislop asked the Government whether they will take into consideration the advisability of appointing another Judge of the Supreme Court so that quarterly sittings of the Court may be held at Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Invercargill, Lawrence, and other places where the business may warrant it, and of thus obviating the necessity of having sittings of the District Court at those places. Mr. Sheehan replied in the affirmative, saying that at the same time the Government intended to take into consideration the whole question of the organisation of the Bench of Judges. At the evening sitting, the Wellington Reclaimed Land Sale Bill was shelved in Committee, on a motion that the Chairman leave the chair, which was carried by 38 to 36. The amendments of the Legislative Council on the Native, Licensing, and Auckland High School Bills were agreed to, and it was resolved that the Council's amendments on the Electoral Bill be considered to-morrow.