PARLIAMENTARY

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2104, 19 December 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tjiubssday, Dec. 18. Mr Whitaker moved the second reading of tho Public Works Bill in a dozen words. The Bill was then committed. Clause 19 was struck out. The other clauses were passed. The Council, in the schedule of the Public Works Bill struck out the lines Nelson to Greymouth, and Picton to Hurunui, and East and West Coast, from the list authorised of the Middle Island railways. Mr Whitaker moved that progress, be reported to allow the Government to consider what course it would now adopt. This was carried by the Chairman’s casting vote, and the Council adjourned at 12.20. THIS DAY. The Council met at 10, and adjourned till 11, when Mr Whitaker said that, as to the lines which had been struck out on the previous night, the Council was placing tho Government in a difficulty. Some of the lines were authorised by the Railway Construction Act of last year. He proposed now to so far meet the views of the Council as to frame the .schedules so thattheirapplication should be confined to contracts already accepted. He would, however, agree to the item “East and West Coast, from the main line to a junction with the line from Nelson to Greymouth or Hokitika,” being struck out, as it was a new line. A short discussion followed, and the Bill was then recommitted. Clause 21 —“ Exchange of land in Oamaru with Messrs Lees and Moore,” was struck out on a division of 8 to 9.

The following alterations wore made in the authorised railway lines :—Waikato to Taranaki, struck out; Nelson to Grcymouth sections, Nelson, Eoundhill, and Grcymouth to Nelson Creek, with harbour works at Grcymouth, inserted ; Picton to Hurunui, and Blenheim to Awaterc section, inserted; Waitaki-Huruuui line and the section from Amberlcy to Waikari were inserted, all these sections being already under contract. The Bill was read a third time, and the Appropriation Bill was passed. HOUSE OF EEPEESENTATIYES. Thursday, Dec. 18. Sir George Grey’s Amendment on clause 30 of the Public Works Appropriation Bill, limiting the amount to be granted to any district railway company to £15,000, was struck out, the amount retained as a limit being £30,000. At 10.30 p.m. the Appropriation, Immigration, and Public Works Appropriation Bills were reported as having passed the Upper House. Other Bills not having come down, the Premier announced that the prorogation fixed for next day could uot take place, and the House adjourned at 11 p.m. THIS DAY. The House met at 1 o’clock, when the Premier explained the Council’s amendments in the Public Works Bill, and moved that thev be agreed to. Mr Gisborne moved that the House disagree with the omission "of the Waikato-New Plymouth line. Ministers said they regretted its excision, but thought the matter was not of sufficient urgency to justify a disagreement. [The debate is proceeding.] After some discussion a motion to agree to the decision of the WaikatoNew Plymouth line was agred to by 22 to 15. Other amendments made by the Council were then agreed to and the House adjourned till 3 p.m. when the porogation takes place.