TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

West Coast Times, Issue 2357, 17 October 1876, Page 2

TELEG RA PHI C NEW S.

ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS

(FROM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, Oct. 16.

The latest lobby talk is, that Mr Macandrew has telegraphed, asking the Otago members to support him in seizing Government property in that Province, and resisting the Abolition Act,

As it is at present the prospect is, that the session will close next Thursday week.

To-day Sir George Grey gave notice of two- motions ; that it is a breach of the privileges of this House for the Governor to make charges against members without giviug an opportunity of reply ; and that £5000 be appropriated and charged to Auckland aud Otago as legal expenses in trying the question, whether the Abolition Act is " ultra vires." The last notice was well laughed at.

Mr Eugene O'Conor petitioned lately for relief from the unsatisfactory decision of the Westport Commission, regarding five sections he held under business licenses, and which were taken for railway purposes. The Petitions Committee have reported that they consider, that inadequate compensation was awarded by the Commissioners, aud that the petitioners |iv the laud should be dealt with in the ordinary way, iv which land t-ilceu up under the Immigration and Public Works Act for railway purposes will be dealt with.

West Coast interests were selected as first to suffer in connection with postal services. In Committee of Supply to-day, the Postmaster-General proposed to strike off the subsidies to the Anchor Line of steamers, £1300; also, the steamer Maori, £4000 Messrs Barn" and Kennedy strongly opposed depriving the Coast of subsidised services, while other parts of the. Coast enjoyed them. Both members referred to the slight service that cither Suez or San Francisco service was to the Coast, and insisted it was necessary to have the San Fruncisco mails regularly waited for at Nelson. The Postmaster-General promised that provision would be made, but did not state how. He proposed a formal reduction of the amount so as to indicate that the service would discontinue at the end of the contract, and this was agreed to. The Postmaster, on the Maori subsidy, also took the strange course of a reduction in the amount by one hundred pounds, as an indication that the service should cense in June next. Mr Reid objected, and suggested that reduction should mean that fresh tenders should be called for. The Poßtmaster withdrew his proposal and the sum passed, but ou a distinct understanding that the Government should endeavor to reduce the subsidy after June, and call for tenders with that obtect.

This as Ijundersjood it, but it is not quite certain, also applies to the service from Nelson,