Parliamentary.

Colonist, Volume XVIII, Issue 2105, 27 July 1876, Page 3

Parliamentary.

Wellington, July 25.

The House met at 2-30. Mr Pyke gave notioe to ask leave to introduce a bill to alter and amend the duties on gold.

Mr Rolleston gave notioe to ask when the rates and tables in connection with the Friendly Societies Bill would be laid before the House

Mr Bowen moved the second reading of the Juries Act Amendment Bill, briefly .explaining its object and provisions. It exempts railway officials and workmen, and provides that an alien may be tried by a jury in the same manner as if he was a natural born subject.

The remainder of the afternoon was occupied in discussing the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, which was taken up at clause 29 (number of votes of burgesßes). An ardent discussion was kept up throughout. The maximum number of votes allowed by the Bill to burgesses is fire. Mr Bastings moved that it be only one, irrespective of what property was owned. Mr Ballance wished to limit the number of votes to thrae, and that any ratepayer owning property valued at £200 should have that number. Mr Bastings' amendment was lost by 54 to 23, and Mr Ballance's amendment was defeated by 44 to 33. Progress was reported and the House rose at 5-30.

July 26. The Public Works Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next.

The Premier called attention to the position in which the business of the House was, and said it was absolutely necessary to get oo with the political business without further postponement. He suggested that Mr Whitaker's proposals should be discussed on Friday next, as that would allow the House three days to become thoroughly acquainted with the Public Works Statement, and Financial tablas. Mr Whitaker accepted the suggestion, and promised to bring down his proposal on that day in the form of resolutions, and have them discuised in Committee of the whole House when members could speak more than once. . - The House went into Committee on the Munioipal Corporations Bill, and a few amendments having been effected in the details, propress was reported. Before going into Committee upon the Rating Bill, the Premier explained that he had not referred to Mr. Wakefield's proposals that evening because he knew it had been agreed upon that Mr Whitaker's should come on for discussion first. After some hours discussion on the Rating Bill and a few trifling amendments being madn progress was reported and the House adjourned at 12.50.

The House met at 230 p.m. -la reply to Mr Rolleston, Mr Bowen explained there wu a misapprehension in regard to the tablei

of payments on which they proposed to insist before registering Friendly Sooietes. It was not intended to have any special tables, making an absolute rule for Friendly Societies,to go by. What they intended was to prepare, from time to time, tables, and submit them for th« information of the societies

A Bill to alter and amend the law relating to the duties oh sold v»os read a first time.

(| fMr Murray moved, " That in the opinion of the House tenders should not be accepted for the centra] gaol at New Plymouth, till the House had an opportunity of re-considering the question of the site of tbo central penall establishment A long dissuasion ensued upon the motion Messrs Reid, W. Wood, E. Wood, Bees, and others supported the motion, speaking at considerable length to show that Taranaki had no right to the special advantage of so large an expenditure, that any other part of the Colony had an equal claim, that it was not a central site, and that it had not been Bhown it «ai the most suitable for the purpose, that it was improper for tha House to sanction, without further consideration, an expenditure that no one could see the end of as the only work besides building part of the prison on whioh' to employ prison labor was to construct; the proposed breakwater and that could not possibly be constructed for many yenra. It was urged on the other hand that the question had bean amply discussed, having been before the House in the session of 1866. They must have a prison somewhere, or else increase the aqeommodation of all the other prisons, which was as broad as it was long ; this was colonial in .character. It not only would enable them to arrange a system of classification amongßt prisoners but the construction of a breakwater and harbor of refuge on that long stretch of coast would be the means of causing the large area of fertile lands of Taranaki. to be settled with apopulation that would largely share in bearing the burdens of the Colony. It was proposed that the debate should be adjourned, and carried by rhe casting vote of the Speaker.

In reply to a question by Mr. Stevens, it was intimated that the postal card system would shortly be introduced into the Colony.

The House rose at 530 p.m,

In the Legislative Council to-day, Dr Pollen, in reply to a question, stated he did not think any legislation on the subjeot of the increase in thenumber of criminal assaults on children would; be taken in hand this session. The matter had, however, received earnest consideration.

A return was moved for by Mr Waterhouse, for tho cost of all Ministerial residences.

The senond reading of the Canterbury Education Reserves Sale and Lease Bill was carried on the voices, after considerable debate

The Eegulation of Local Elections Bill web farther considered in committee.

Other business unimportant,