GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 523, 19 July 1881, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

_ On Thursday, in the Council, the Alienation of Land Dill was read. a second time after a short debate, and then referred to a Select Committee, chosen by ballot. The Council rose at 5 p.m. In the House of Representatives, replying to Mr button, The lion Major Atkinson said that Government was in course of making certain changes in the .subject, and these ; would probably include the making of i acihiisivi; iiainp.-j </z one deerjpiion avail- ' ab!i for all purposes for w'.:W\ stamps ;;ru use , .!. 3lr J.Mios i-iovcd— "Tluit thoro be laid c before; t!ie any coirebponuence or ! r< , port, 'jonh'.lc'tm (.;■ otliMrwirio, wiiioh i UUiy b:iV.; !;;i ; -'-..).i i;t:t•.'.-.).;.• • ill: <. hnd li:o I:::;pi'uio,- of i'.-isons in reforeiice « to trio g-('.- oi: the Colony or oilicors t thereof, suit! which haw not bet-n laid on ( the tabic." ' i The i J on ".'. l)[r,z taivl it scarcely \

fair to ask that a confidential report should bopioduced. If ih-M prim.-iplo were !:o ho afihmed, officers would be chary about making such reports, and in that way the general efficiency of tho service would be impaired. Mr Reid supported tho motion. This officer in his report had in.ido some extraordinary recommendatio :s ; for instance, that no information should bo given to the Press, and that naval and military office™ should, be appointed in the place of men who wero in the Colony <wid amongst them. It was very necessary that the Communications of such an officer should be closely scrutinised. Mr Pyke challenged the Government to say whether this repo'l, was so vile that it could not bo produced. On no other grounds could he interpret this desire for reticence on the part of Government. Mr Turnbull criticised the published report of the inspector, and gave it as his opinion that lie was a very weak minded man indeed. He agreed that the Government should protect reports under certain circumstances. He thought it was very necessary that they should hear more about this man's reports. He would move that the word "confidential ,, be struck out, leaving all reports and papers to be produced for inspection. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House went into committee on the Licensing Bill. Various amendments were proposed with a view to altering the fees payable, but all wore rejected, and the section as printed passed. Mr Andrews moved that progress bo reported. The lion J, Hall opposed reporting progress in consequence of the threats used by the opponents of tho Bill. lie was willing to keep them to their word, and sit till four in the morning. Sir W. Fox hoped that after the disgraceful scenes of the last two nights, members would support his motion to abolish Bellamy's when he next brought it forward, The remarks of Sir W. Fox brought a number of members to their feet, including Dr Wallis, Messrs Weston, Pyke, Reeves, and Siieehan. On the motion of Mr Reeves the Club license was increased from £20 to £30. Mr Pitt's motion for restoration of subsection 4, "For the bott'o license, £40,' was then put. Ayes, 42 ; noes. 7. Mr Oliver moved that section 3, wine license, £1, be made £10. Dr Wallis Strongly supported it, a n d after considerable discussion tlie motion for increasing tho fees wa=s lost by '28 to I 20. Progress was then reported, and the House rose at 2 a.m. On Friday the Licensing '3 ; 11 was subjected to some further tinkering, but finally the schedules were passed with a few technical amendments, and the report ordered to be considered on Tuesday. The Regulation of Elections Act was read a third time and passed. On tho motion of Mr Johnstoi?, the House went into Commitipo to consider the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill. Mr Whitaker, in view of the last of the new clauses proposod to be added, suggested that the Bill a? it stood should be withdrawn, and a complete Bill, embodying these clauses, brought down. Mr Wood pointed out that the words corrupt and corrupt'y were employed in the Bill in a manner calculated to create the utmost confusion. Mr Gisborne pointed out th.\t the candidate was held responsible for corruption committed by his agent, and was held in heavy penalties. An agent might be ap pointed through ignorance of his real character, and yet the candidate was responsible in grave consequences. Mr Stewart agreed in the opinion that the Bill required both interpretation and consolidation, and advised mat it should be withdrawn with that view. For that .purpose he moved that progress bo reported. The motion for reporting progress was withdrawn, and the Bill passed through jW'o forma, so as to enable a consolidated measure to be prepared as suggested. The Hon T. Dick moved tho second reading of tho Gaming and Lotteries Bill. He explained that it had originated in the Upper House, and that efforts in the, direction'it aimed at had been made in the previous session. Representations had been made by Dunedin and other parts of the Colony in favor of the measure. He alluded to the bookmaking fraternity, whose pursuits it was of importance should be put clown. The Bill provided that an instrument called the totalisator might be used under strict supervision. Art Unions were permitted for the disposal of works of art. After discussion the Bill was read a second time. The House adjourned at ten o'clock.