PARLIAMENTARY SUMMARY.

Western Star, Issue 464, 23 July 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY SUMMARY.

(“ Otago Daily Times.") Tuesday, July 19. After Mr Hall’s Public "Works Bill had been read a second time, the adjourned debate on the Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill (in introducing which, if" will be remembered, Major Atkinson sketched ... the local governmefit proposal' of’ the rGd.yernment) was resinned! It filled out “'the afternoon sitting and continued in the evening; A thorough surprise marked its progress; for in place -. of Mr Sheehan as a leader of the Opposition, Mr Ormond assumed virtually that position ;bj moving this amendment —“ That the proposals of the Government on the question of local government and finance are unsatiefactory. ’’ He supported it in a long speech, was replied to bj the Postmaster-general (Mr Johnstone) ; and other speakers continuing, the debate lasted till the House rose at 12.35 a.m. Our correspondent telegraphs that the debate will probably last some days, and that Mr Ormond is expected to have a majority, . ... r Wednesday, 20fch July.

la the Upper House yesterday the business transacted presented' no feature of special interest.-,- ; v.That in the Lower House began by a notice of motion being tabled by Mr Maeandrew, who will ask for a. com»miltee to consider the question of effecting direct steam- communication with the Home Country. Amongst the replies to questions, Mr Hick explained to Mr Stevens (of Christchurch) that the Health Boards possessed ample power as to inspecting and dealing with unclean dairies ; and told Mr Turnbull (of Timp.ru), who has been 'so Inquisitive' about prison that the Government do not intend to carry out Captain Hume’s suggestion of appointing-retired naval and military officers to the higher positions in.,the gaols. .Mr Beeves, whose mind appears to have about the lone condition of deceased husbands’ brothers, was informed that the Government did not share his concern, and did not intend to introduce a bill legalising marriage with those individuals.

- Directly the questions were disposed of, the debate upon Mr Ormond’s “noconfidence” amendment to the motion for the second reading of the Crown and Native Laud Eating Bill (Major Atkinson) was resumed. Through the afternoon nobody of note spoke, but in the evening things were rendered somewhat lively by Mr Wakefield severely attacking Mr Ormond for his disingenuousness. Mr Eeader Wood supported Mr Ormond and Mr Oliver opposed him, and the debate-was Adjourned at a quarter-past 12. v -*■ ■ Thursday, 21st Jtjxt. lalthe)Legislative Council yesterday afternoon Dr Menzies carried a motion in favour?:of • Bible reading in schools by 16 to 12. ' Tlie-<Banks and Bankers Act was amended in committee, one amendment deferring its coming into operation" until TstJan., 1882. The Eegulation of Elections Bill passed through the Council. Mr Reynolds tried to get a clause added making voting compulsory upon pain of forfeiture of votes, but was unsuccessful. The Council rose at 5 o’clock. Sir William Eox having given notice of motion to turn Bellamy’s into a coffee palace, and a string of questions having been answered, the Lower House proceeded with., the no-confi-dence debate. In the e.ening . MiHall and Sir George Grey spoke, the latter evidently J in great irritation at an attack made upon him by Mr Weston, ;Mr t- Saunders was the last speaker prior to the House rising, and he announced that he was unable to vote with Mr Ormond. .