PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1101, 29 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, October 28. In the House of Representatives today, Mr. Fulton, Chairman of the Christcliurch Election Petition Committee, brought up a report iindjng Sir G. Grey occupied the seat illegally. Mr. Tole moved—That the roport and proceedings be laid on the table until inquiries are made as to whether or not the proceedings of the Committee had been conducted according to law. He stated that on the vote being taken one member neglected to record his vote until the following day, thereby exposing himself to the risk of being with. Mr. Fulton said that the statement made in support of the motion was not in accordance with the facts of the case. Sir G. Grey argued that, having been returned by the vote of 13q0 e]pct°r 5 i if unseated snd Mr. Richardson's eleotion confirmed, the electors would be practically disfranchised. The motion was negatived on the voices, and the report ordered to be placed on the official records of the House.

Mr ; Richardson's presence was then summonned, and he was formally inducted into the seat for Christcliurch.

Mr. Hislop gave notice of a question relative to the tprms by Government for securing the support of the four- Auckland members, together with all particulars of the work upon which the money said to have been promised for that support was to be spent. Mr. Hall tabled a document in conformity with a motion calling upon the Government to produce all correspondence that iiad passed the Government and the four Auckland numbers, dealing with the conditions upon which their support was obtained. The documont was read, stating that 110 such correspondence had been found in connection with the official records.

Sir G. Grey stated that the document was simply an evasion, asserting that it was wc.ll Injown that correspondence had passed between the said parties. Mr. Hamlin moved for a Select Committee to enquire into the matter, with power to call for persons and papsx-3, and take evidence on oath. Mr. Hall maintained that the motion was irregular, inasmuch as that it aimed at the production of documents which formed 110 part of the public business. Mr. Swanson said that so far as he was concerned ho had no objection whatever to the production of the correspondence. Capt. Golbeck defended his conduct in t)]e affair, and charged the Opposition with Jiaying deposed Sir G. Grey from the leadership, when in the point of fact he was the only one who could lead them. Finding tho public business obstrupted, and no apparent chance of being proceeded with, he had gono over to the side of tho Government for tiie sole purpose of solving the difficulty that had arisen. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. 011 the motion to go into Committee of Ways and Meant?, 3lr. Macaiidrew said, in consequence of his party having been deserted by certain members on whom they relied, he had determined upon withdrawing the 110contidenc! motion standing in his name.

Mr. Hall,"in acquiescing in the application, said that all that the Government aimed at was to allow' their policy to be brought before the country. After passing a formal resolution allqwing thp of geflcienqy l3ill§, the House resumed.

On thp no-confidence motion being called on, as Mr. Macandrew did not wish to move, the Spoaker declared it lapsed. The orders of tho day were then resumed, and Mr. Rolleston moved the second reading of the Land Act Amendment Bill.