Parliamentary.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2101, 28 September 1875, Page 2

Parliamentary.

HOUSE OF EEPEESENTATIVES. WELLINGTON.

Monday. The House met at 2.30. The preliminary business on the paper i mainly related to small local matters in Otago.

Mr Buckland asked if the Government would place Ohinemuri and Tairua in telegraphic communication with the rest of the colony, and was answered in the negative.

The remainder of the afternoon was taken up in discussing the Qualification of Electors Bill, which provides for a lodggr franchise, and for the repeal of the Miners Eepresentation Act, thus placing the miners upon the same footing as other classes. Holders of miners' rights, or business licenses, are not to exercise the right of voting if otherwise qualified in the same district. The .Act'is. not to apply to Maoris during the continuation of the Maori Eepresentation Acts. Mr Eolleston, Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Reid, Mr Bradshaw, and Mr Brown (Ashley) spoke in condemnation of it; Mr Harrison, Mr James Shephard, Mr McGillivray, Mr Webb, Mr Cuthbertson, Mr Gibbs, Mr Parker (Motueka), Mr Mervyn, Mr Montgomery, and Mr Basstian favoured the bill.

As the usual hour for adjournment arrived, Mr Atkinson moved the adjournment of the debate,, as ho said the Government intended to go on with the Estimates that evening.

This day. O» the House resuming at 7.30 p.m.—

It was arranged that the Estimates be proceeded with at once, any debate to take place upon the finances of the colony to be reserved until such time as the Treasurer delivered his supplementary financial statement, rendered necessary by the changes made in the Abolition Bill during its progress through Committee.

A good deal of discussion was raised by Mr Murray, who said it was rumored the Government intended to get the estimates passed before bringing down the Representation Bill, which was at length cut short by the Treasurer assuring the House that the bill would be submitted at the middle of the week.

In reply to a question from the Opposition regarding how the 'Frisco service item was to be dealt with—

Mi? Reynolds said he .would bring down a resolution upon the question similar to that tabled and discussed in the New South Wales legislature.

Jn pjass 1., Legislative .Council, £1,300 for the present year; £89§ last year.

A good deal of objection was taken to ifche several items showing an increase of #100 op the salaries of Qliairujau of Com-

mittees, Clerk, and Assistant-Clerk, and in each case the increase was negatived, and the salary of the second AssistantClerk was reduced from £150 to £100. The whole vote of £29,220, less theie reductions, then pissed. Executive Departments £19,756 14s. A long discussion ensued upon the item £400, salary for Fox, Secretary to the Premier, in the course of which was opened up Voxel's mission home and the amounts he had since drawn for. The vote eventually passed unaltered, also Stamp Department £4030. .

The House adjourned at 1.45.