TELEGRAPHIC

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 29 June 1881, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] [FROM OtfE OWN tfOBBESfONffiEffT/J HOUSE OP EEPRESENTATIYES. Wellington, Jane 26. In Committee on the Licensing Bill— On clause 167 (supply of liquor to drunkards), Speight moved an amendraent to alter the words • open court ' to • court/ alluding to the injury which exposure in open court might inflict. Bastings protested against the attempt to cut and carve the Bill to suit a certain party. This, however, would defeat its object, and prove fatal to the Bill. He moved that the chairman leave the chair. Hall thought the Bill a most valuable one. It had been before the country two years, and he saw nothing in the amendments yet made to jeopardise its passage. The proposal to leave the chair was negatived on the voices. J. B, Fisher moved to insert, after the words " open court," the words " before two justices of the peace." The House divided— Ayes, 13 ; noes, 35. The clause passed as printed, The remainder of clauses passed without amendment, and progress was reported. The House adjourned at 12.50. June 28. Mr Weston, M.H.$., was sworn in today. The Government evince a desire to forward the interests of the Grey Valley district. A general Railway Bill is being prepared by the Solicitor-General at the instance of the Government. The Greymontb Harbor Works will be provided for. Some scheme will be devised for aid* ing prospecting, Mr Weston brought under the notice of Mr Kolleston, the necessity for an al* teration of the tenure of Greymouth township, and the necessity for improved communication with the 17* Mile Beach. The matter is to be considered, and Mr Weston is to be again seen. The Cobden bridge stands over for the present. Matters in the House very quiet. The Licensing Bill is very much mutilated, and is extremely doubtful whether it will be carried. The Local Government Bill is regarded as the measure upon which the parties will be formed. The Government, if defeated, is likely to apply for a dis» solution. The Redistribution of Seats Bill is not yet down. The J3ill likely to provoke much discussion ; the boundary question especially.

The Goldfields Committee was made up before the Grey Valley election, but Mr Weslon is making every effort to get upon IT; the Government affording him every facility in the matter. Mr Wright gave notice of motion that a committee consisting of— Messrs Wes» ton, Ormond, Pitt, Montgomery, Barron, Richardson, Moss, Murray, Fulton, and the morer, be appointed to enquire into the financial position of the New Ply mouth Harbor Board in respects to its present and future relations to the public creditor, and to report generally on the matter. T. S. Weston, the new member for Grey Valley, was introduced by Messrs Reeves and Reid, and took oath and bis seat amid Opposition cheers: Mr Dick presented a petition from Robert Stout, and other members of the Dunedin Free Thought Association, praying the House to maintain the great principle of religious equality as embodied in the Education Act. Wellington, June 28. At an influential meeting on Saturday of the members of both branches of the legislature Jt was resolved-to take-steps to get the Government to issue circulars td parents throughout the colony, re* questing them to state whether they are or arc not desirous of introduction- of bible reading in schools. This is follow* ing the plan recently adopted in Otago by Bible in Schools Association. It is reported that the usual annual attempt will be made this session to get session of Government removed to Christchurcb. CHBisTcmiBCH, June 27. A private communication 'was recently received here by the promoters of the West Coast railway to the effect that Mr Travers bad been instructed by the Government to draw up a bill to facilitate the construction of trunk lines of rail" way. by issuing grants of land along the lines to cottfpanies willing to undertake their formation. It is stated that Mr Travers was also instructed to confer with Mr Weston, M.H.R. for Grey Valley, on the subject. Nelson, June 28. Fears are* entertained here for the safety of the schooner Dido, belonging to Levien of this porf. She left Lytfcelton on the tenth instant for Waitapu, and has not since been heafd off.