LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1462, 27 October 1884, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

♦ On a division the District Railway Leasing Bill was rejected by 21 votes to 9. The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway Construction Bill. In doing so he referred to a statement made in a previous debate to tho effect that Government had threatened that if the Bill (District Railways Bill) where not agreed to, they would abandon certain other measures about to come up for second reading, and j again denied the truth of such statements. He went on to say that intimidation had been made to himself by a member of the Council, who had informed him that ho would vote against every measure introduced by Government, because a petition he had presented to Government, asking to be relieved of a certain line had not been acceded to. He hoped the Council would pass the bills in doferenco to the strong feeling that existed in tho other House, and in the Ministry. Mr Miller cbaniete-ris«d the measure as being a speculative one, and said it was altogether before its time. He referred to tho engineering evedionce with a view of showing that the receipts from the railway could not more than balance the expenditure. He moved that tho bill he read a second time six months hence. Sir G, Whitmore spoke in support of

the bill, but thought amendments should be made in Committee. Mr Waterhouse also supported the bill, but objected to clause 5. Dr Grace could not support the second reading so long as the bill contained clause 5. Captain Fra^er also said if clause 5 was not altered in committee he should reserve to himself the right of voting against the third reading. Mr Richmond was opposed to the second reading. Mr Reeves spoke in favor of the measure, and endorsed the remarks of Mr Miller. The mind of the Hon. Wr Wilson is exercised on the subject of cock-fighting which cruel pratice it is alleged is encouraged on the West Coast by the patronage of police officers, and so he is going to question the Government as to whether proceedings are to be taken against the parties implicated.