GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 746, 4 August 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(From our Exchange?.) Wellington, July 25. The Financial Tables were circulated to-day. The Public Works Bill will be introduced to-night, and the Statement made. The Waste Lands Bill will be introduced to-morrow. Ministers will insist on their policy being debated on Friday. They will formally oppose all further delay, and if the House will not go on, they will resign. There are all kinds of wild rumors about. One is that Mr Reid will support the Ministry ; but there is no truth in it. It is understood a full caucus of Canterbury, Otago and Auckland members will he held to-morrow, to make final arrangements. Mr Whitaker now says he has no intention of allowing his resolutions to lapse. In the House, to-day, in Committee on the Municipal Corporations Bill, there were two divisions on clause 29, about plural voting. The Government course was, however, carried. The majority of Otago members voted for Mr Bastings’ amendment, giving only one vote. July 26. The fight is really to commence on Mr Whitaker’s resolutions on Friday. They will probably be rejected by a considerable majority, and Mr Wakefields by a still larger majority. As soon .os this discussion is over, the Separation resolution will probably be brought down, and the on the Government policy will go on. There was no caucus to-day. Mr Reynolds returns to Otago on Tuesday, and will have a pair for the Government on all questions hut Separation. On that, he will pair for it if the Separation proposals are similar to his own resolutions of 1872.

The Government now count on a majority of nine on Separation, but the Opposition say they are out in their calculation, and that the division will show the majority on the other side.

When the Estimates come on, there will be a furious onslaught made on them. Amendments, reducing the total of almost every department, will be moved and strongly supported, irrespective of party politics. The Volunteer Estimates, especially those for the Middle Island, and the Geological Department, will ba'especial subjects of attack. The Public Works Statement is considered rather bald, and disappoints many people who expected more for their districts. It was coldly received. Mr Stout is going to introduce the Dunedin Municipal Corporation’ Bill, owing to the division of the House last night regarding plural voting under the general Act. July 27. Mr Tonks, the new member for Auckland City West, arrived to-day. He cannot take his seat till after the official declaration of the poll to-morrow. The House does not ait to-night owing to the grand fancy dress ball , at Sir J Vogel’s. The gold duty discussion occupied most of the day. Several goldfields members spoke on the motion, some maintaining that it was one

of expediency, others Strongly Supporting the motion. Ultimately, On Mr Murray's motion,

The question was adjourned for a week, Mr Whitaker’s resolutions are made an order of the day for 7.30 to-morrow. The debate will probably last several days, but the resolutions will bo lost by a considerable majority. ' Considerable excitement exists here about the proposal made to the Education Board by the Provincial Government to grant L 500.0ut of the L 4500 fpr school buildings to.the Roman Catholic community in the City, who are erecting two largo schools to cost L2OOO each, by .private subscriptions, for the Christian Brothers. The Catholics say they will relieve the Board of all responsibility regarding Catholic children in the City. The Provincial Government have power, without consent of ‘ the Board, to give the money, and Mr Andrew, who is a member of the Education Board, has given notice in the House to amend the Act of the Deputy-Superintendent of ; Wellington by restraining that officer from signing any warrant for any sum of money to the Catholics. There is likely to bo a row in the House and at the Board over the matter. It comes on for discussion at the Board on Saturday. Sir George Grey will move the Separation resolutions on Tuesday. Almost all Otago and all Auckland members wqll support. If the doubtful Canterbury men support it Separation will be carried. It is rumored that Messrs Pyke and Mandsrs, dreading a dissolution, will oppose Separation, notwithstanding their election pledges; but Otago members do not credit it. The only Otago opponent is the Hon. Mr G. M’Lean. Mr Reynolds votes for Separation. ' Messrs Reid and Stout assert that if Separation is not carried they will not aid Canterbury men in ousting the Ministry. July 28th. The Gazette to-day notifies the Queen’s permission for Mr W. H. Reynolds to retain the title of Honorable within the Colony of New Zealand. At Mr Whitaker’s request, the debate on his resolution has been postponed till Tuesday next. ■ Mr Whitaker postpones bis resolutions tonight, as Sir J. Vogel is unable to attend the House, being ill. . '• . _ . . . . Sir George Grey has his Separation resolutions ready, and will give notice of them as. soon as Mr Whitaker has spoken. He jis rather annoyed at the postponement, as he wished to give notice to-day.. The resolutions will be substantive and not in the form of an amendment. The House is crowded in all the galleries with people who expected to hear the great debate commence. Mr Stout has a notice on the paper to ask how the Otago Museum is to be provided for when Abolition takes place. The Cattle Committee reported to-day, recommending the prohibition of the importation of stock from outside the Australian Colonies after a date to be given notice of in the London Times.

One of the provisions of the Public Works Bill is to provide free outfall for drainage, any owner Having power to drain through adjoining lands, subject te' certain Conditions. The Bill also provides a better system of Compensation Courts when land is taken for railway purposes.

Mr Whitaker’s resolutions have been adjourned to Tuesday. It is stated the Otago Opposition members will preserve absolute silence on Mr Whitaker’s resolutions, and leave the House when the division takes place. ) July 31st. It is understood that Sir J.' Vogel has so tar recovered from his illness, that he will be able to attend in his place in the House to-morrow.

A caucus of the Nelson, Westland, and Marlborough members was held to-day. It was resolved to support the Government against Mr Whitaker’s resolutions. The Otago members will not vote, unless it is absolutely necessary to do so to prevent the resolutions being carried, J