PARLIAMENT.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1290, 29 August 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, 28. In moving the second reading of the Otago Harbor Board Loans Consolidation Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, Mr W. \ Green explained that the Bill sought to effect the principle of consolidating the Board loans, and he said that the whole commercial public of Dunedin was anxious that the Bill should become law. Mr Fish seconded the motion. This was carried by 45 to 31. Several other amendments were proposed, but rejected, and the Bill was eventually reported as amended, aud read a third and passed. Three other local Bills wei-e afterwards read a second time, without discussion, viz. — The Wellington College Land Bill (Mr C. Johnston), Timaru Mechanics Institution Amendment (Mr Turnbull). the Christchurch Cathedral Square Cill (Mr H. Thompson). These were considered in Committee, reported with slight amendments, aud read a third time and passed. The Minister of Lands afterwards moved the second reading of the RusseL Exchange of Land Bill, respecting which there was a lengthy debate. He stated that the object of the Bill was simply to confirm an arrangement which had been entered into by a previous Government in- consideration of the Hon. Thomas Russell withdrawi^g|fyw-<^pyfio^^ Government, concerning the purchase of certain Native lands in the Thames District. Sir George Grey waimly opposed the Bill, holding that Mr Russell had been guilty of illegally entering into bargains with Natives, for which he ought to be punished instead of being rewarded, as proposed by the present Bill. Mr Macandrew urged the Bill should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. The Minister of Lands said that was the step that was contemplated. It was agreed to read the Bill a second time. Mr Turnbull mo\ed the adjournment of the debate, which was eventually lost by 34 to 26. The second reading was then carried, and the Bill referred to the Waste Lands-Committee. The Native Minister next moved the second reading of the Native Reserves Bill, relating to South Island matters. A considerable debate ensued. Mr Sheehan moved the adjouaument of the debate, which, however, was in the end negatived by 18 to 8. The second reading was then carried, and at five minutes past 3 the House rose.