EVENING SITTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3798, 17 June 1880, Page 3

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30 jua. PAETY PROCESSIONS. Mr.PrKE moved the Bfcond reading of the Party Processions Bill.; It was a Bill for the better preservation of peace. It, aimed at all bodies whose, proceedings were likely to be regarded by any. section of the community as being obnoxious. He referred to the faction fighting which lately, took place at Christchurch and Timaru, as evidonoo of the necessity that existed for the. measure. They did not wish to revive tho memory of the wretched past in this young, community. Ifc was^ not the procession that was constituted an offence, unless accompanied by preparations for offence, and ev.qa then it was left to Justices of the Peace to cay whether or not these preparations wero of an offensive character. It gave the -Magistrates the option of commuting the offence into one for monetary penalty instead of imprisonment. In thafc respect it differed] from a similar measure passed in ono of the ofcher Colonies. The Hon Ji. HaTil* was understood to say that Govornmenb was disposed to rogard the Bill as to some exlonfc an interference with tho liberty of bhe subject. The late disturbance brought down upon the offenders such an amount of condemnation as would prevent a recurrence of such a proceeding. This being tha case he did not think it at all necessary to invoke tho strong arm of the law. He hoped tho mover of the motion would be content with having directed attention to the subject. Ib would givo all concerned to understand that the Legislature would be prepared to interfere if the force of public opinion were found not strong enough to prevent a recurrence of these disgraceful proceedings. Mr Bei>i>on held an opinion similar to that of the previous speaker. Mr Stkwabt argued that if the measuro was not required as some speakers had said, then the measuro would remain a dead letter. If it was required, then they could bringit into operation at once. He therefore thought tho Bill should be passod. Mr Bowen argued that the law as it stood was able to vindicate itself, consequently there was no real necessity for tho Bill. Tho. offenders in the cases alluded to were men who had come red-hot from tho placo whero the c feuds were traditionary. When they found that these things were not countenanced in this country, they would, spon como to forget their early traditions. Tho miatako the Bill made was that it attempted to prohibit persons wearing certain emblems, instead of providing punishment for thoso who could not restrain their passions when 'u'aay saw such emblems. Mr Andrews condemned the Bill. Ho said it was altogether uncoiled .for. Mr Stevens moved—" That tho Bill bo read thafc day six months." In replying, Mr PTKK-said that gentlemen on all sides had congratulated him on the Bill and promised Buppork He felt vory considerably "sold," and would bo- chary in future of leaving his honour in such hands. If there was hlcod chod hereafter, those who opposed tliis Bill wauld bo responsible. On being put the motion for reading that day six months was carried on tho voices. THE MOORIIOI >E SEKVICfIsS. UECOv.NITION BILL, Sir G. Grbtc moved the socond reading of the " Moorhouse Services. Recognition Bill." He stated thafc 186S, as. Governor of tho Colony, he. -a'sited Ca^fcorbury^ aud found Mr Moorhouse, tho then Superintendent of Canterbury, administering tho affairs of tha'j Province with gr&afc ability and foresight His efforts in prompting th» Lyttelton tunnel, in order to connscfc Christchuroh with the port were alluded to in. flattering torms. Whab he aekod was that i> medal shoidd be s'ruok, and be, in tho hands of Mr Moor- I houso, liia hoira, and their heir*, in all. gonovations, recognised ns a freo pass on all railways. This effort, ho lookout upon oj a move in the direotion of entering upon a now field of rewards puperior to any knighthood or peerage. Although betweon him and Mr Moorhouse the utmost friendly feeling existed privately, in political life, they hud never voted on any oocasion together. Ho hopod that this fa?t would go to show thut merit could be acknowledged frooly by all partios independent altogether of political production. Mr Hai.t, seconded the motion. Ho oould not agree with the speaker in the remark that.

this was d-kind cf prot^ii .v-ams. the opiVon that the imperial! authorities were alone capable of being with tho reward of their dis(ingui,hed-inen. He a 2 reed with the warm eul..,gi 8m . oxprossed«pon'Mr0 xprossed«pon'Mr Moor house.s pubhoicareery more t*peeialv in the indomitable perseveranco he had shown in carrying out,, the Lyttelton tunnel scheme. It reflected the utmost credit upon his fore sight and Bagao%. He recognised tbe appropnateness ef the recognition proposed to be conferred on Mr Moorhouse fl B f r *i, M B-n IIDOT .T ,alw> conc^red,and hoped that the _B.ll. would pass-without a dissentient voice. He looked upon, ihe teetiinonial, not ? J ttS * C( ?mpl*rnenfc to -Mr Moorhouae, bufc to the Pilgrim Fathers of Canterbury. Mr .BowuK-.bbre witness to the extreme earnestness -and anxiety with which Mr Moorhouse carried out the tunnel work, and also to the valuable services he had otherwise rendered to Canterbury. Mr Ireeakb.. objected that in a young country they should establish hereditary honours, R& believed: in rewarding merifc, and that was enough. Ifc should not be made to descend to the children. . M ri? u ?*" B^ ! thought they had no right tosaddle future generations with an exemption -of this kmd. It was atrifiing exemption in this instance, but ifc opened the door to a more serious question^ Sir G. Grist* replied that the Premier had been mistaken as -to whab he meant hy his reference to the Imperiarauthorities. Whafc he meant to assert was,. thafc they should show that theywere able independent of political strife to recogoise and'reward merit as they found it existing among themselves. If it was thought they were going, too far in making the medal a railway pass in. all time coming, let some other member move for the striking out of theße- words. Ho- would not object. At the same time he- denied that it was an hereditary honour in the usual acceptation of the phrase. ■„ ■ The motion was- pub and carried on the voices, and the.-Bill oommittod. In Committee Mr MtroRAT moved—" That the words,.' and to -his descendants for ever' be struck out." A division was- taken on the amendment, which was lost ; : ayes 43; noes 9. Mr MU23AT, protested against the result as an attempt to oreabe in New Zealand a nobility. Mr- -Stbwabt. moved— "Tbat the words 'eldest heir in a direct line for the time being ' be inserted instead! of the word ' descendante.'." ' Mr ANDRBWS<denounced the course sought to be pursued, and stated that if returned as a member. of> that House he would time after time move that the motion be struck off the records-of the House. Mr: Sbmjon^ expressed Burpriße at the opposition coming from the quarter it did. It showed what might be expected if they were left to the peoplo of Christchurch. Mr Stbwabt'^ amendment was then put and carried. On resuming, the Bill was reported with amendments. Mr Murray again protested, stating that the proceeding was opposed to the democratic principles the House professed to support. The Bill wa* then read a third time and passed.-. IK COMMITTEB. 1 The House- then went into Committee on the Exeoution. against Real Estates Bill, and on resuming the Bill was reported with amendments, and was ordered to be con-sidered.'to-morrow. The House went into Committee on the Election Petitions Bill. The number of Judges before whom petitions should be tried was altered from one to two.. Other trifling amendments were mnde, after which the Bill was reported with amendments, and at 12.30 the House adjourned. [BRX>M Orß SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Junb 16.