Mr Duncan's motion was lost, and the amendments were agreed to. Messrs Duncan and Hall-Jones having protested against the Bill, the Premier replied that it was needed in a great many counties, and, further, that it was merely permissive. Other members wished to speak, not having understood apparently that the Premier had replied; and they were of course out of order. The third reading was then put and lost by 18 votes to 15, and the Bill was thrown out. The following is the division-list: — Ayes, 15. —Carnell, Hall, Joyce, Lawry, McGowan, McGuire, J. McKenzie, McLach lan, Millar, Mills, Morrison, O'Regan, Parata, Seddon, Stevens. Noes, 18. Allen, Buchanan, Buddo, Buick, Crowther, Duncan, Earnshaw, Plat man, Praser, Hall-Jones, Maslin, Massey, R. McKenzie, McNab, Mont~ mery, G. J. Smith, Tanner, Willis. The House adjourned at 3.15 a.m. till 11.30 a.m. Tuesday, October 16. The Speaker took the chair at 11.30 a.m. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. The Premier moved the second reading of the Midland Railway Contract Bill, and for the benefit of those who were not in the House when the original contract was initiated, detailed the whole of the circum stances connected with the formation of the railway. The Public Accounts Com mittee last year recommended that the Company should receive .£618,000 in lieu of land grants, and that the old con tract be maintained. After the fullest enquiry, ard knowing all the circum stances,- he was in a position to say that the Company could not carry out the original contract; It was a most painful and humiliating position to be placed in, as the people of Nelson and Reef ton had for years past been waiting for this work to be proceeded with, and there had been no settlement or expenditure of any kind in consequence of the work not progressing. This railway, he pointed out, would prove of immense value as encouraging the tour ist traffic in this Colony. Another great advantage would be that it would facilitate the carriage of coal and other minerals. The construction of the line would also find employment for about 2000 men. He would tell the House that if they passed this Bill they wovild shortly find that the Otira Gorge would be a second Coolgardie, and that there would be no necessity for population leaving the Colony. 