THE AKAROA TRUST BILL IN THE COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1412, 24 August 1878, Page 3

THE AKAROA TRUST BILL IN THE COUNCIL.

[Br Telegbaph.] rpSOM THE COEBBSFONDBNT OF THE PBESS.] 1 Wellington, August %%. The Council this afternoon spent the greater part of the time in a somewhat fruitless diacusßion on the EUesmere and Forsyth Eeclamation Bill. Sir D. Bell and Colonel Brett etrongly opposed the second rinding of the Sill Mr Gray replied at some length, rebutting the insinuations of self-interest on his part which had been thrown out by various Colonel Whitmore said that the Government favoured the Bill, and considered the project one well worthy of being undertaken by the country. He supported wholly the leading principle of the Bill, but would take exception to certain flaws and defects of small importance. The Government had every reason to suppose the Bill was a most useful one, and that the project could in no way be carried out so well as by the company in whose hands the works were originally placed. H« hoped hon. members would withdraw the opposition. Captain Fraser had never heard pt a more impudent Bill. Colonel Whitmore's speech had shaken his faith in the present Government, and he had mtAe up his mind to vote against the second reading. _ Colonel Kenny protested against local Bills. There were many places, he would instance Taranaki, far more descrying than Akaroa. He objected to the Bill, and should vote against it. . . Mr Miller thought it was very cool to term the BUI an impudent Bill. Thi« work was

one that would have been made many years ago if railways had been as much in vogue as they were now. Akaroa was the finest natural harbor in the province of Canterbury —far finer naturally than Lyttelton, which owed all its advantages to artificial means. Mr Wilson moved, and Colonel Whitmore seconded, the adjournment of the debate. Mr Reynolds thought there was no reason for adjourning the vote for the second reading. Captain Fraser thought the debate should be adjourned till next week, when Dr Menzies and others would be present. The motion for adjournment was put and negatived on the voices. Mr Chamberlain thought the work had been set afoot in an unwise manner. The Bill should have been a Government measure. He would not be able to support the Bill. Mr Hall, in replying, took exception to certain insinuations that had been made against one hon. member of the Lower House, the originator of this Bill, by his friend. Colonel Brett rose and asked the Speaker to inform him whether he (Colonel Brett) had used unparliamentary language. The Speaker replied that he had used words which appeared to him undesirable. Colonel Brett accordingly apologised. Mr Hall continued, and concluded his reply, urging strongly the second reading of the Bill The motion for the second reading was then put, and a division taken, in which ayes numbered 11, noes 6. The Bill was accordingly read a second time. . P.« mi iiiii in I 1