The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1874.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1721, 9 July 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1874.

Pabiiament has scarcely got into thorough, working order as yet, members not having warmed i o their work. There , has been nothing done or proposed to be .i done of any moment, but the merely 'formal work which characterises the opening of a session. Some notices of .motion have been given, and some motions hare been made, out of which may arise hot debates; b.nt the position of members at present is \.:icertain. The forces are arrayed " promiscuous like," waiting for the. gage of battle before arraying themselves under their respective ■; leaders. It is safe to say that at present nothing has been done likely to affect the

strength of the 'Government regarding their known supporters; while at the same time no bid has been made to proselytize'the avowed oppositionists. 1 In the Legislative Countil last night Bills were read relating to the real estate and marriage law, when the ex-Premier —the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse —favored ,-the- Council with- comments on the absurdity of being different to' colonies in the matter of marriage with a deceased wife's sister. It would therefore appear that a further amendment oi the existing Marriage Act was contemtempl»ted. • . -

A congratulatory address to the Duke ■ of Edinburgh on.his marriage w*s agreed to. ' ; . .' -;:s ( •. ■..'■'x.. The Hon. Mr. Campbell moved the address in reply, in doing which he expressed approval of the Governor's viceregal tours through the country. He commended the manner in which public. works had been carried out during the recess, and concurred in increasing rather than decreasing immigration. _ While deprecating the proposal to divide the profits accruing from the Government Life Assurance scheme as premature, he considered the accounts should be sent to a first class actuary to ascertain their position. He approved of the conservation of the Polynesian trade for New Zea'ard, and briefly reviewed the remaining portions of the vice-regal speech, the address in reply being seconded by the Hon. Mr. Miller.

The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse, ex-Premier and ultra conservative, spoke in opposition. After stating that his Excellency's speech said nothing, he drew a dreary picture of the future, condemning what has been done, and protesting (as usual too much) against what was proposed to be done. He believed "a crash" must, come in a short time, and that it was near; at hand. He attempted to account for the prosperity which prevails throughout the country by reasons of his own, which simply amounted to putting the generally accepted causes of prosperity in different words. -■■■■•-..■

, Several other Honorable Legislative Councillors spoke on different^portions of the speech. In the House of Representatives Mr. Vogel, in answering the question by Mr. Wakefield regarding a reduction of customs duties and equalising the revenue by taxing land and property, said that if the "Government had. such an intention he would refrain fioni malting known the fact earlier than he: possibly could, so aa to avoid the dangerous and injurious amount of speculation which would naturally follow. In reply to a ■second question the Premier said an approximate census of the whole native population was then in the hands of the printer. The following bills were read a first time :—Regulation of Mines Bill; Municipal Reserves Bill; Electric Telegraph Act Amendment Bill.; Post Office Saving Bank Act 'Amendment Bill; and the Wellington Hospital Reserves Bill. The Premier explained that the Electric Telegraph Amendment Bill dealt chiefly with the production of telegrams in a Court of Justice, and offences against the Telegraph Act. Mr. Vogel moved an address to Her Majesty offering her congratulations on the auspicious occasion of the marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh, as matter of special interest to- the people of Is Tew Zealand, His Royal Highness having twice visited this colony, expressing ■an earnest prayer for - the welfare of the Royal pair, and embodying an assurance of devoted affection and loyalty to Her Majesty's Throne and person. Mr Curtis moved that, to-morrow the House resolve itself into a committee to consider the question of giving leave to introduce the NelsottLoan Bill. He said the security was 400',00G acres of land. Mr Vogel asked the House not to allow the second reading of any. bills of that character until after the financial statement was brought down, which would be in not more than ten days, The motion was agreed to. Mr. T. B. Gillies moved for a re;urn in detail of the expenditure of sums devoted to the purchase of lands in, the North Island. Mr. Richardson said the return was in course of preparation. It was agreed on the motion of Mr. Mervyn, that a return be prepared of land sold during the'last twelve months in the various provinces, specifying the number of new settlers and quantities of land. Mr. Vogel said he hoped no needless opposition would be raised against the Imprest Duty Bill to be brought down to-morrow, as it was desirable to pas« it this week.

Mr. Vogel, in replying to Mr. Gillies (Otago) "■ TPgarding the charges made against Judge Chapman in the telegrams published in the Otago Daily Times, said there was little doubt that the telegrams were not genuine, as they hare only a certain resemblance to the original telegrams, and their publication had not been authorised by themselves. He was sure the Government was not responsible for their publication. The Government had not taken'any steps to investigate the matter, nor would they of their own choice produce the telegrams and correspondence relating to the matter, bnt would in compliance with the wish and right of the House, expressed in formal resolution, lay them on the table.

Mr. Reynolds, in replying to Mr. O'JSTeill, regarding the establishment of a liglitliouse on the Three Kings, said enquiries had shown the site to be unsuitable, and another one would be erected on a suitable place.