PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1297, 3 June 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, June 1.

In the Legislative Council to-day, Replying to Captain Fraser, the Government said if contractors under the Otago Harbor Board took contracts believing the Government would pay, failing the Board, they (the contractors) would make a mistake, and they would warn such that the Government were under no obligation to assist the Otago Harbor Board. On the motion of Mr. Wilson, a committee was appointed to co-operate with a committee of the' Lower House inquiring into the stare of the bankruptcy law, to report within month. The following Bills, being part of the result of the revision of the Statutes Commission, were read : Adulterations Bill, Aliens Bill, Cruelty to Animals Bill, Compensation for Accidents Bill) Animal Protection Bill, Building Societies'- Bill, Juries Bill, Marriage Bill, Married Women's Property Protection Bill, They are all consolidations of existing laws. Dr. Grace moved the Address in Reply in a brief speech, in which he expressed the hope that all parties would do their utmost to help the Colony out of its difficulties. Mr. Gr. R. Johnson seconded the Address. Col. Whitmore spoke at length on the Government policy, chiefly in its favor, especially as to native matters. Mr. Whitaker briefly replied to Col. Whicmore's remarks, when the Address was carried. The Council adjourned at 5. In the House of Representatives today. Sir George Grey gave notice of a motion for the reduction of the salaries of Ministers in New Zealand. Mr. Gisborne gave notice of a question relative to the Agent-General's recent contest for a seat in the Imperial Parliament.

Sir G. Grey gave notice that he would move for a return of all the correspondence relative to the discharge of the Maori prisoners at present confined in Dunedin gaol. Replying to Mr. Reid, the Minister for Education said it was not intended to bring down an Act Amendment Bill during the present session, Replying to Mr. Hursthouse, the Colonial Secretary said the proclamations in force were sufficient for the purpose of preventing the spread of pleuro-pneu-monia from the North to the South Islands.

Replying to J)r. Wallis, ra the introduction in the course of the present session of Parliament of a Bill dealing with the question of payment of members of the Legislative Council, Mr. Hall said a Bill of the kind was introduced last year, and from the manner of Tfcts receipt/ the Government did not-, it again this session,. ./? VMr. Johnston, Colonial Trea? surer public debt than L 5,000,000 has resulted from the Loa,n Act of last year ; and if so, what amount of public debt thence resulting and when it is repayable ] Major Atkinson said that the five million loan had been issued at 5 per cent., bi|t ttie holders had the option to convert the debentures to 4 per cent., Ll2O being given for the LIOO debenture. At the latest date, LI,I6O,QQQ had been converted. When all was - gonverted the loan would represent $ debt of L 6,000,000. Sir G> Grey moved for copies of all correspondence and telegrams which have passed since the Ist of October last between the Government or any of its officers with Messrs. Sheehan and Whitaker, or either of them, or with any Judge or officer of the Native Land Court, or with any Land Board or member of any Land Board, or with any surveyor relative to any lands, native or Government, in the Patea district, or in the neighborhood or vicinity of that district.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Whitaker, and agreed to.

It was agreed, on the motion of Mr. Montgomery, that a return be laid before the House showing the cost of construction of each section of railway and of each branch railway mentioned on page 784 of the Gazette, dated 20th May, 1880, together with the estimated value of the rolling stock in use in each section and each branch. Mr. Oliver stated that the return would take some time to prepare. Mr. Hall moved the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into and report on the operation of the present bankruptcy law, and whether it requires any further, and if so what, or whether any, if so what, other system would in the opinion of the Committee be more effective,

Mr. ae Lautour said he hoped the Committee would use sufficient dispatch to enable its recommendations being embodied into ..law this session. It was notorious that the present bankruptcy law had been a failure, and there could be no doubt whatever but that its amendment was urgently demanded. The motion was put and carriedMr. Hall moved the second reading of the Regulation of Elections Bill, which was carried without discussion.

At 440 the House adjourned till tomoirow,

NORTH OTAGO COURSING CLUB. The first ties were then commenced by Skating Girl and Banshee. The former led up to the hare, but, after a smart course, Banshee was declared the victor. Canfblia and Encore also had a very smart course, both dogs working splendidly. Encore, however, scored the greatest number of points, and was therefore declared the winner. Fly and Tois Tois were then put in the slips, and, after a long run, the course was decided in favor of Fly. Ledgerkeeper and Don Carlos had a long and very pretty course. Ledgerkeeper was first up to the hare, but only got one turn, when Don, got in and won easily. Bruce and Miranda then ran an undecided course, and were again placed in the slips. They were slipped to a very stong hare, and the best course of the day ensued. Both dogs worked exceedingly well, but Miranda proved too much for her opponent, and was declared the winner. Crackshot then ran a bye. The second ties were then commenced, Banshee and- Encore being the first pair placed in the slips. The former led up to the hare, and had it all her own way, never allowing Encore to score a point. An adjournment until to-day shortly afterwards took place. SECOND DAY. A good number of coursing men, and a few ladies, were present to-day to witness the finish of the running for the Members' Plate. The trysting place was the Thousand-acre Paddock, on the Totara Estate. The day was beautiful for coursing. but hares were not plentiful. The judge and the slipper again gave universal satisfaction. Mr. Otterson to-day acted as marshal, and succeeded in getting off the events with promptitude. Fly and Don Carlos were the first pair in the slips, and were let go to a large hare, but pussy getting into a hollow, both dogs became unsighted, and a no-course was the result. The dogs were again placed in the slips, and after $ long search for a hare a good strong one was started. Both dogs went up to it. Fly got in and worked beautifully, turning the hare several times, and eventually killing, the judge recording the course in her fevori Miranda and Crackshot }iad a long course. Crackshot led up to the hare, but Miranda soon collared him, and had much the best of it the rest of the way. Banshee led Fly up in the next course. Fly got in once or twice during the, run, but Banshee did by far the most work, and was declared the victor. This was a long, gruelling course. Miranda then essayed to run a bye, but the slut not doing enough work, the judge decided that she should be put in the. slips again. She was then put in tl\e. slips with Jeannette (her sister), and a very pretty course was the result, Jeannette having by far the best of the tussell. Miranda, however, did sufficient work, and the judge declared her bye run. Only the final course now remained to be run, and a good deal of speculation took place on the event, Miranda being considered the favorite, notwithstanding the long run she had had during her bye. A number present, however, fancied Banshee. After half an hour had been spent in looking for a harei, the dogs were slipped to a gqad strong one. Miranda led up, an 4 did a turn or two. before she was collared by B.anshee, gome very nice work was' then done by both dogs. Banshee then got in and scored point after point, and was declared the victor. Mr. Thomas Kett, trained the winner, and it is no doubt only by the splendid condition that she was in thq,fc she won the course. The winner i?( the joint property of ' Ml 1 . Reid and Mr. Otterson. Three hearty cheers having been given for the judge, slipper, and Mr. M'Auly, the meeting terminated, it being considered the best meeting ever held under the auspices of the North OsagQ Coursing Club.

The following are the oomplete results

Mr. J. B. Reid's r w b Banshee, Hock— Banner, beat Mr. W. H. Porter's b w d Maori, Azamat—Glare

Mr, R. Stewart's bl b Skating Girl, Pleasant Boy—Skating Rink, beat Mr. R. Morton's f d Sam Slick, Totara—Sunbeam Mr. M. Grant's br w b Encore, Spring— Tricolor, beat M r -. J. D. Brett's blk d First King, Geelong Comet—Queen "Death Mr. W. H. Ronayne's fwb Camelia, Red Kaii—Dauntless, beat Mr. J. M'Donald's blk b Carnation, Ben—Fly Mr. M. Grant's f b Fly, Ranting Robin— Arabella Goddard, beat Mr. W. G. Walker's n f b Wheel of Fortune, Azamat—L'Esprit Mr. J. B. Reid's fwb Tois Tois, Welter— Twilight, beat Mr. A. Thomson's f d Chevy Chase, Balchristie—Glare. Mr. H. Prince's f d Ledgerkeeper, Treasurer—Hit-or-Miss, beat Mr, J. F. Reid's blk d Chester, Cheviot—Aberlady Mr, A. S. Otterson's n r d Don Carlos, Asamat —L'Esprit, beat Mr. A. Thomson's w blk d Vagabond, Gondoleer —Unknown Messrs, M'Auly Brothers' f b Miranda, Totara—Sunbeam, beat Mr. G. S. Lintott's f w d Hock, Bacchanal—Buxom Lass Messrs. Roper and Jerrome's r d Crackshot, Baffler—Bet, beat Messrs, M'A u ly Brothers' blk b Jeanjiette, Totara—Sunbeam Mr. J. M'Donald's bl w d Bruce, Ben— Fly, ran a bye.

FIRST TIES. Banshee beat Skating Girl Encore beat Camelia • Fly beat Tois Tois Don Carlos beat Ledgerkeeper beat Bruoe Orackshot ran a byes. SECOND TIES. Banshee beat Encore Fly beat Don Carlos Miranda beat Crackshot THIRD TIES, Banshee beat Fly ifiranda ran a bye. FINAL COURSE.

Mr. J. B. Reid's r w b Banshee, Hock— Banner, beat Messrs. M'Auly Bras,' f b Miranda, Totara—Sunbeam,