GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 614, 2 June 1882, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, May 30,

AFTERNOON SITTING The House met at 2.30 p.m. CONGRATULATORY.

Mr Sheehan drew attention to the fact that, while in the other Chamber hearty congratulations had been tendered to Colonel Whiunore on the occasion of his receiving the honor of knighthood, no such congratulations had been tendered to the Hon J. Hall, a member of that Chamber, upon whom a similar honor had been conferred. He drew attention to the fact the more readily, as he had all along 1 been a political opponent of Sir J. Hall. At the same time, tie heartily rejoiced at the personal honor thus conferred on him. He bore ample testimony to the uniform courtesy with which Sir J. Hall had discharged the duties of the important office lately held by him, and his political services outside the House were equally creditable. They had had their fights inside the House, but that did not blind him and the party with whom he voted to the many amiable characteristics of the individual, or to his valuable public services. He moved—" That this House tenders its hearty congratulations to the hon member for Selwyn, Sir John Hall, K.C.M.G., and hopes he may bo long spared to enjoy the distinguished honour so deservedly conferred upon him by his Sovereign in lecognition of a long and honourable life in the public service of this Colony." Mr Macandrew, as the father of the House, seconded the motion, entirely (indorsing Mr Sheehans's remarks, and Mr Montgomery spoke in support of it, alluding to his 22 years' personal knowledge of Sir John Hall. Major Atkinson, on behalf of Government; and the members of his side of the House, spoke in support of the motion, which was put and carried with acclama-, tion. In communicating the motion, the Speaker joined wich the House in hearty congratulations.

Sir J. Hall acknowledged the compliment. He said sarisfactoiy as the honour was in itself, his pleasu'e in receiving it had been greatly enhanced by the congratulations tendered to him by his fellow colonisis. Ha concluded by expressing a hope that Irs public services to the Colony had been only interrupted and not ended. NEW BILLS. The following Bille were introduced and read a first time :—The Employment of Females Act Amendment, with a view to bring shop women, and boys and girls employed in ihe delivery of parcels and messages under the operation of the hours' clauses of that Act, and to give to the police the light to eerier into fad-ones dining meal hours and after wovk'ng houie (Mr Green); To Make Other Provision in the matter of tho Election of School Committees (Mr Steward). CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE. Mr Hurst was proposed by Major Atkinson and seconded by Sir J. Hall. Mr Hiust, however, withdrew,and Mr Hamlin was then nominated in his slead by Major Atkinson. Mr Fish proposed Mr Thomson. Mr De Lautour seconded, and after a discussion the first division of the session took place, resulting in Mr Ham'in's being elected by 44 to 41. The following ia the division list:— Ayes, 44:—Messrs AD weight, Alirinson, Beeioam, J. E. Brown, Bryce, W. C. Buchanan, Cadman, Conolly,'Dick, U)\zGera'd, Fohon, Sir J. Hall. Messrs Hobos, Hurst, Hursthouse, C. J. Johnston, W. Johnston. Kell\', Levin, M'Donald, M-ll-raith, M'Millan, Mitchelson, Morris, O'Cnllaghan, Peacock, Pearson, Postlethvvaite, Rollesfon, Rutherford, S.evens, Soiion, Swanaon. Taw (mi, 11. Thomson, Tiimblo, Walt, Wesion. Whitaker, Whyte, Williams, I. Wilson, J. G. Wilson, and Wught. Noes, 41:—Messrs Baron, Bafbg.ite, Btacken, J. C. Bfown, J. Buchanan, Daniel, Dargarville, De Lautour, Dodson, Duncan, Feldwick, Fergus, Fish, George, J. Green, M. W. G r een. Sir G, Grey, Messrs Holmes ; Hutchison, Joyce, Levestam, Macand'ew, F. Mackenzie, J. Mackenzie, Montgomery, Moss, Monro, Pelrie, Seaton, Seddon, Sheehan, Shephard, Shnmeki, Smith, Steward, Sutter, Taiaroa, Te Wheoio, Tomoana, Turnbull, and White. Pairs :—Aye : Mr Mason. No : Mr Pyke. SUPPLY. The House granted an imprest supply of £300,000. PEACE PRESERVATION BILL. The debate on this bill was then resumed, and lasted till the adjournment, Mr Sheehan making a most eloquent speech in defence of the native policy of Mr Bryce and himself, and blaming the late Sir D, McLenn for being the cause of the present (rouble in not following up Colonel Whitmore's victories in 1869.

Mr Montgomery's speech was based principally on the report of the Commissioners, to which he gave high piaise, saying that Sir VV. Fox and Sir F. 1). Bell would be remembered for it alone had they performed no other services whatever to the Colony. While declaring his full be'ief in Te Whiti's character, and agreeing that he might be a fanatic, he asked if that wore a cvioie, and made a siiong point by saying tbat the House was called upon to step in and stop the ordinary course pf justice because Government were afraid to bring the case before a jury.