Latest Telegrams.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 687, 5 August 1870, Page 3

Latest Telegrams.

\< ~ — Hokitika, Aug. 4, 4.55 p.m. . N Public meetings were held yesterday at Greenstone, Waimea, and Stafford Town. Resolutions were passed unanimously, condemning the Government proposal of a capitation grant, instead of a proportion of the Consolidated Be venue. A meeting will be held to-night at the Kanieri on the same subject. Disturbances are probable if this Bill passes as proposed. The Spray schooner has arrived from Lyttelton. ■WEiixnsrGTOS", Aug. 4, 7.55 p.m. Mr Macandrew moved his Pacific Mail Service resolutions, filling up the blanks with 90 hours and £10,000. Mr Creighton seconded. Mr Fitzherbert strongly supported the idea of New Zealand contracting for an efficient service, and thought that the expenditure of £90,000 required, by Mr Webb would prove amply reproductive. He thought such services necessary to give full effect to the financial policy, and that the colony could well afford it. The port of call should be left to the decision of the contractors. The opinion of the House seems strongly in ' favour of the last suggestion, and Mr Williamson expressed his conviction that Mr Hall would not be able to carry on his contract, but that Auckland would' be blind to its own interests if it did not carry out the service on its own account. . The B.on. John. Hall thought that America would not subsidise the line terminating in New Zealand.. The debate was adjourned for a week, as Mr Yogel intimated that he expected important correspondence on the subject. ; The Public Works and Immigration Bill was read a second time. Mr Richmond opposed it as ill-con* sidered and inconsistent in its provisions. All proposed to be done next year could be authorised by a short Bill, and a larger one might be left to the consideration of the new Parliament. Mr Wilson moved that • the Bill be read that day six months. Messrs Fitzherbert and Hall supported the second reading. On a division, the amendment was lost by 45 to 7. Mr Haughton accepted the " previous question" with regard to his manhood suffrage resolutions. Mr Stevens asked why the capital

sentence on Smyth, the wife murderer at Christchurch, bad bean commuted. Mr Fox replied, because the jury seemed to have beea hurried to a ver diet by the Judge's intimation, that if they did not quickly agree they would be locked up over Sunday ; because the Judge seemed wrongly to have charged the jury as to the unanimity of the medical testimony when Dr Turnbull's evidence waa contrary to that of the other medical men ; and ibeeause the Judge, in correspondence with the Government, intimated his belief that the prisoner might not have intended to illuse his wife. Mr Gillies moved that it was essential to the independence of Parliament, and the efficiency of the public service, that colonial officers receiving salaries under appropriation by the colonial legislature, excepting those who hold political offices should not in future be eligible for appointment to the Legislative Council or sit in the House of Representatives, and that no member of the Legislative Council or House of Representatives be eligible for any office of emolument under the Colonial Government for the period of one year after ceasing to be members of Parliament. Messrs Yogel and Fitzherbert opposed the motion. Mr Fox moved the omiaßion of the last paragraph. Mr Ludlam proposed to extend disqualification to all provincial officers except Superintendents. Mr Gillies said he hoped the House would agree that this debate be adjourned. Mr Stafford positively denied any truth in the rumour that he was likely to be appointed Immigration Agent or anything else. The Pacific Islands Trade Bill passed through committee. The House is now in Committee of Supply. Mr Reynolds withdrew his motion as to shaping the financial policy so as to admit financial separation, and said that the House was determined to support the Government financial j proposals, as it was useless to move them. The Ofeago Hundreds Repeal Bill was thrown out on the second reading by 29 to 15. Mr Mclndoe has given notice of a resolution, " That it is desirable that the constitution of the Legislative j Council be assimilated to that of the ! House of Representatives." Mr Haughton has given notice of a resolution, •" That it is desirable that the Native race be represented in the Legislative Council." The Star of the South has arrived from London. '