PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2095, 9 December 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Monday Dec. 8. In the Council to-day, after the routine business, Colonel Whitmore gave notice that the Agent-General ought to be appointed for a limited term, fixable by Parliament. Mr Whitaker’s General Harbors Act Amendment Bill was read a first time The Native Affairs Committee reported on a petition re the Kinross case, that the Council ought to allow its officers to appear as witnesses in any future trial, or itself institute proceedings against Mr Kinross. The report was objected to by some honorable members, who asserted it condemned Mr Kinross unheard. A discussion took place which lasted over an hour. After this the debate was adjourned on a division, by 22 votes to 10, and the Council rose at a quarter to five p.m. HOUSE ~OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, Dec. 8. Replying to a question by Mr Kelly, Mr Bryce said his attention had been directed to a letter which had appeared in the newspapers to the effect that

llewi had joined the King party. He did not believe there was any truth in the statement. A request had been received from him some time ago, to the effect that as he was going to the King Country, and had met with au accident a carriage might be placed at his disposal. That request was complied with and there was no reason to believe he was in any way displeased with the Government. The letter had been received by one of the Maori members, not from Bewi, but from a friend of his. The letter had been left in the member’s office, and in that way it had been got hold of by the newspapers. The member himself had not given the letter to the newspapers. In reply to Mr Gisborne, Mr Hall stated that Mr Penrose Julyau had retired from the Loan Ageucyship, on a pension, and there was no truth in the statement which appeared in the newspapers, to the effect that a difference of opinion had arisen between him and the Government, such difference having occasioned his retirement. The He vision of Statutes Bill was read a second time.

The adjourned debate on the Confiscated Lands and Maori Prisoner’s Bills was resumed.

Mr Turnbull opposed the Bill, and spoke strongly against the Maori prisoners being kept in prison for such a length of time without being brought to trial.

Major Tewhero also objected to the Bill, and stated that if it “passed the Maori prisoners might be kept in custody without being brought to trial for years. Mr Bryce, in replying said it was the opinion of the Government that it would be a most dangerous thing to release the prisoners under the present circumstances. The late Government had a similar opinion. The motion for the second reading was then put, and on a division was carried—Ayes 57 ; Nocs‘ 12. The House then went into Committee on the Bill. [By Telegraph.] Last night the Confiscated Land and Maori Prisoners Bill passed through Committee without material alteration. The Property Assessment Bill, in Committee, passed to clause 21. The only material alteration made was that agricultural implements actually in use, should be added to the exemption clause. The House adjourned at 3 a.m.