GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 156, 9 July 1870, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 2. Probably the most important part of yesterday's brief proceedings was the reply by the .Native Minister to a question from Mr. Travers as to the recent amalgamation of the Auckland Police with the Araied Constabulary. The arrangement was, that the Commissioner was to select the men and manage the force, the Provincial Government would bo happy to make the arrangement- witli any other Province, so that the benefit of Mr. Branigan's experience might be as widely diffused as possible. After some interesting bill business, the interminable Otiigo Hundreds Eegulation Act cropped up again in the renewed debate on Mr. Brown's motion, for leave to bring in Repeal Bill. The Provincial party and Mr. Vogel seenied indisposed to accord the usual permission; but the spirit of fair play prevailed in the House, and member after member protested against an attempt to bur!: the question. Mr. Vogi-1 expressed a conviction that the Hundreds system wns no longer suited to the requirements of the Province, and that free selection was rapidly gaining favour. Mr. Main concurred, and some little astonishment was catised by Mr. Brown, in a very emphatic manner, exclaiming " No, no," to some statement of Mr Vogel's as to what had taken place in the Provincial Council. Mr. Macandrew and Mr. M'lndoe confirmed Mr. Vogel's account, and when it came to his reply, Mr. Brown admitted that he had misunderstood what the Treasurer was saving. The Hundreds subject is not usually an amusing one, but Mr. Brown managed to make it so, and caused heartier laughter than perhaps ever before convulsed the House. With admirable seriousness he referred to the obstructions thrown in his way in bringing in the bill, as confirming what he had been told in Otago by Mr. Main, that no private -nffcrnber had a chance of carrying a bill through that House. In support of this, Mr. Main had told him of a highly deserving young member who had for three sessions tied to, carry a favorite measure. On the last occasion the bill got as far as a third reading, when it was rejected and this so affected its author that he went home, pined away, and soon died of a broken heart, This tragical legend, so far from impressing the House with a sense of its misdeeds and the responsibilities it had incurred, caused roars of laughter, which were brought to a climax by perceiving the serious aspect of the speaker, who perhnps wished to foreshadow what would bo his on fate if his bill wns rejected. Mr. Main attempted some explanation, but, the House was not disposed ito nave a good thitig spoiled. The bill was i brought in and a first time. The Ballot Bill i was passed through committee after the de- ! cision arrived at on a previous occasion by a : majority of one in favor of written nominations, ( had been reversed by »i majorityof 2, thenum'■bers being 26 to 24. The Married Women's ! Property Bill was referred to a Select Com- ! ruittee; the bill for compelling the altend- | anee of witnesses for the defence in criminal | cases was read a second time, and one or two ■. new bills brought in. After orders for some other returns, Mr. Williamson, referred to the progress being made in the Pacific Islands, ? and the desirability of this Colony cultivating

trade with them, moved for a return showing the number and tonnage of vessels which, at the respective ports of the Colony of New Zealand, have, during the years commencing Ist January, 1862, and ending 31st March, 1870, entered from and cleared for the several islands in the South Pacific; together with the principal articles of their cargo, and value of the same, and the number of passengers conveyed by such vessels. Mr. Rolleston took occasion to call attention again to the importation to Auckland of South Sea Islanders, and expressed a hope that, steps would be taken to guard the reputation of this Colony from such slurs as those' which rested on Queensland in a similar matter. Mr. Fox, in reply, said there was no fear of this Colony acquiring the same character as Queensland had done, and the G-overnment saw no reason at present to interfere. They had heard that a carge of these Islanders had been offered for sale at a port to the north of Auckland, but they did not believe the statement. The motion was agreed to, after Mr. Williamson had pointed out. that if these Islanders were allowed to come to the Colony some officer should be appointed to see that they were engaged on fair terms, and .that the agreements were properly carried out. The House then adjourned until Tuesday, : ■■''■:"•?.""