PARLIAMENTARY.

Western Star, Issue 161, 7 October 1876, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, October 3,

From the time the House resumed last evening till 1.30 this morning, it was in committee upon the Counties Bill. After a great deal of discussion, clause 62—which depends upon the Financial Arrangements Bill, a measure not yet passed —was postponed. The House then got as far as clause 119—appointment of auditors by the Governor —which met with a great deal of opposition in favour of an independent audit; it was passed. Clause 120, regarding accounts, led to a good deal of discussion, a few holding that the system laid down was too complicated, but the majority thought the plan simple enough, and the clause passed as printed. It was decided after a division that the accounts should be balanced in March and September each year. At clause 128, Sir George Grey declined to proceed further, saying he was worn out, but the House resolved to go on a division by 28 to 10. After reaching clause 132, progress was reported, and the House adjourned. The House met at 2.30 to-day. In reply to Mr Pyke, the Premier said the Government would, during the recess, consider the whole question of goldfields legislat ion, and take steps to insure a proper bill being introduced next session.

In reply to Mr Reynolds, Mr Richardson said the Public Works estimates would be laid before the House. As to carrying out the recommendation of the Engineer-in Chief with regard to wharf accommodation at Port Chalmers, lie said that under the circumstances a great deal of consideration would le necessary before a decision was come to, inasmuch as the Otago Harbour Board were preparing to spend enormous sums of money to create a shipping trade for Dunedin, and destroy the large shipping trade of Port Chalmers. There was therefore some doubt as to whether they would be justified in going to any great expense. The House went into.committee on the Counties Bill at clause 133, and went through the remaining clauses, with few modifications. They then took up the postponed clauses, and were occupied with them until the House rose at the usual hour, and they will continue the same work at 7.30. The business in the Legislative Council was unimportant, with the exception that in the Municipal Corporations Bill the Council struck out the clause conferring upon counties (? councils) the power to borrow. October 4. The House resumed at 7.30 last night upon the Counties Bill, and passed all the postponed clauses, but on coming to the schedules, Sir George Grey moved that progress be reported,which was agreed to. The Education Board Bill was considered in committee, and remanded. During the rest of the evening, a great deal of discussion ensued upon an endeavour made by Mr Wakefield to obtain an Education Board for South Canterbury, which was unsuccessful. The Bill ultimately passed through all its stages, aud the House adjourned at I 15 a.in. *- In the Legislative Council to-day, Mr Waterhouse asked the following question, of Dr Pyllon : I

I —From what date the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel ] will commence to draw salary as Agent-General; whether or not the Government is to pay the cost of the passage to England of Sir Julias Vogel and his family; whether or not travelling allowance will be paid during such voyage, and if so, at what rate per diem j whether or not the AgentGeneral will be required to devote the whole of his time to the duties of his office; whether or not he will be called upon to find security for the discharge of his duties ? The replies were as follows:—Sir J. Vogel would draw salary from the date of his appointment ; the passages referred to in the question would be paid for; travelling allowance would not be made ; as to the fourth question, yes ; and as to the last, the previous Agent-General had not been called upon for security, and the Government did not think themselves justified in making a difference between Sir Julius Vogel and tin? gentleman who had previously held the appointment. A clause at the instance of Mr Hart was inserted in the Debtors and Creditors Bill for appointing provisional trusteas in place of the registrar of the Supreme Court aud trustees appointed by registrars. The House met at 2.30. Sir George Grey said it appeared from a memorandum submitted by Ministers to the Governor, ami published that an opinion had been obtained from law officers ir England as to the power of the Assembly ta abolish the provinces. He,'wished without notice to askjthe Government if this was so? The Premier said the lion, member should give notice. Sir George Grey then gave notice for to-mor-row. In reply to a question by Sir George Grey the Premier announced that ho would make a supplementary financial statement on Friday night. In committee on the appropriation clauses in the Counties Bill Sir George Grey moved an amendment in the clause relating to the appointment of auditors, with the view of placing the power of appointing auditors in the hands of the Council. After a great deal of discussion the House divided, and the amendment was lost by 36 to 21. Auditors are not to bo paid out of the consolidated fund. The next discussion arose upon the schedules. The boundaries of Mongolia!, Hokianga,Bay of Islands, Wangarei, Hobson, and Waitemata were agreed to with slight amendments. The name of Marsden county was changed to Eodney on the suggestion of Mr Sheehan. A new county to be called Eden was created out of Manakau county, and the names of Waiheki,' Eangitoto, and other adjacent islands were excised from the description Manakau County. Sir G. Grey proposed new boundaries for Coromandel county which were agreed to, and the Islands were struck out from that and the Thames county. Sir G. Grey and Mr Eowo proposed amendments virtually amounting to the addition of half of the Piako county to the Thames, which was opposed by Messrs Murray and Whitaker. The proposal was carried by 36 to 26. Tho other half of the Piako county is to be added to Waikato county. Tbe House rose at 5.30. October 5. During the greater portion of last night tho House was occupied by tbe schedule of boundaries in the Counties Bill. There was little or no discussion, except with regard to the Otago Counties. Messrs Eei 1 and Stout wanted Otago made into one County, but their amendment was lost by 36 to 33. The name of the Molyneux County, was altered to tho Vincent County, and that of Lakeland to Lake County. Stewart’s Island, Euapuko and the adjacent islands one county. The Attorney-General's Bill, which provides for the office being political instead of non-politi-cal, was read a second time. Tbe Public Health Bill was read a second timo and passed through all its stages. It consists of 103 clauses. The only material alteration made was to class tanneries as offensive trades. The House adjourned at 1.45 a.m.