GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 756, 13 October 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(From our Exchanges.) Wellington, Octobers.

The Legislative Council-have struck out the clause in the MUnicipal Corporations Bill which allows Councils to borrow.

Th' Ore is really nothing stirring tb day. The' House has been all day at the Counties Bill,‘has got through it, and is now considering a few postponed clauses, There Wis'a very thin House all the afternoon, and'tab important hinendments were made. The Hon. Mr Reynolds protested against the postponed clauses being pushed on in a thin'Hbusc, and said he would vote against the reading of the Bill if it were rushed through in this way. The b'oundaries schedule is not yet circulated but the maps are. The Financial Arrangements Bill is expected down to-night or to-morrow rimming.

The Council is in Committee on the Public Works Bill.

Mr Pyke .asked—(l) If tho Government would take into favorable consideration the recommendations of the Goldfields Committee as set forth in the Report on the Otago Central Miners’ Association correspondence, and appoint a Commission to enquire, ; during tho recess, into the question of validity of water licenses granted under Goldfields Acts, and the relations between licenses so granted and the ordinary riparian rights of land-owners and others ? (2) Also, if the Government would furtherauthorise such Couinussion to enquire gene* rally into existing Goldfields legislation, with the view of Laving a complete and comprehensive measure prepared dealing with questions as aforesaid ? The Premier replied that the Government would take tho recommendations into consideration, but without committing themselves to carry out tUe’whbls of them. They had not had time to consider the matter, but they'were anxious to meet the views of the Committee and of the miners. During the recess the whole question would be considered ; but whether tbey would consider it necessary to appoint a Commission to carry out what was asked was not yet decided. At any rate, they would take steps in order'to ensure that a proper Bill would be introduced into tho next Parliament. October 4. All the Counties Bill, except the sefiedules and the appropriation clauses, which had to bo introduced in Committee of the whole, passed through Committee lafet night without any amendment of importance.

To day the boundary schedules are being discussed. Considerable discussion arose on the qualification pf County Chairman. The following proposal was made by the Government .—That members of the House should not be disqualified, and that electors of outside counties and be roughs should be eligible. This was carried by 29 to 2b, after a great deal of discussion. October 5. There was rather a lively debate last night over the Otago County boundaries. Messrs Reid, Stout, and others tried very hard indeed to got Otago made two Counties, but the feeling of tho House was dead against them. There was some fun over Mr Thomson’s proposal to change' the name of Molyneux County to St. Vincent. Of course this was intended as a grim joke, but the House took it up seriously, and the St. being dropped, tho Vincent was earned on a division, and the County isnow Vincent, so called after Mr Pyko. The Southland members were greatly annbyed at the Clutha County boundary being extended to the Mataura water-shed.

To-day Sir George Grey and Messrs Stont, Roes, and others made a great point of the ■Hon. Major Atkinson’s admission that although be had in his memorandum, m reply to Mr Macandrew, spoken of the opinion of the Law Officers in England as to the power of the Assembly to abolish the Provinces, t’hey had no such opinion in their possession, and only inferred that one had been given in.'tho ordinary course before the Act was left to its operation. It was strongly insisted oh that the fact of the Act so being left to its operation did not in any way interfere to prevent Her Majesty disallowing it any time within two years after its receipt in England; and Sir George Grey hinted at the.prohability of Mr Macandrew and himself telegraphing ah appeal to the Imperial authorities, to disavow the Act. "

Mr Fyke moved that the House to-mor-row resolve itself into committee of the whole to consider an address to the Governor requesting ihat he would recommend agrees appropriation of L2OO to defray expenses of a flying survey of the Clutha-River, with a view of ascertaining the practicability of the navigation thereof to Wanaka Lake Or any intermediate point. The hon. gentleman proceeded to show from data that the whole river could be made navigable at a very small cost, and so enable that part'of the country to do without railways for a century to come. It was Nature’s highway into the interior.

The Hon. Mr Richardson said that if the hon. member would withdraw his motion he would undertake to make such a survey as that required, and if that survey bore out what the hon. gentleman would make the Government believe, he thought there would be no difficulty in obtaining a vote in making the river navigable. Mr Pyke withdrew his motion, but hoped care would be taken that competent persons would be appointed to perform the survey, October 6. The Treasury officials have been getting up a statement as to the financial effects of Abolition on Otago. They make hilt that it wilt gain LIB.OOO a year.

Tt is said that on Thursday Sir 0. Grey will go on with his permissive Abolition Bill, and that there-will be a great demonstration over it, every possible means being used to force the Government to acompromise.'

The public accounts, for the last year, in full, and the revised Estimates for tho car-

rent one, are circulated. TLo latter allow a total estimated expenditure including Native, Public Works, and Defence Deparlments'eitiinatcs—of L 2,200,904 3s 7(1.

The proposed testimonial for Sir J. Vogel and the public demonstration on the occasion of his departure are likely to be successful. Sir J. Vogel leaves, via San 'Francisco, on the 19th. October 7. There was no chahce of making the Financial Statement last night. The whdle afternoon was wasted over tryihg'to reverse decisions previously arrived at'ih Committee on the Counties Bill, Messrs Whitaker and Murray being particularly anxious to altdr the boundaries of the Waikato and Thames Counties. Then, when the Bill was reported* and the third reading moved, the Opposition seized the opportunity to enter final protests, against the Bill, Messrs Banff and Kenny 'also opposing it. Tho Government taever replied, but St was twenty,'minutes past two in the morning before the third reading was carried by 37' to 1(1. Messrs Murray, Reid, Larnach, and several other members of the Opposition, voted with the majority.

, The Financial Statement Will not noiv be made till Monday evening. Sir George Grey expects by next mail an answer to his despatch, forwarded Home before the House met, asking the Imperial Government to itaterposo bn behalf of Auckland. He expresses himself confident that the answer will be favorable. The Government have declined to reply to Mr Macandrew’a last telegram beyond the mere acknowledgement. October 9. The Legislative Council to-day, by 16 to 11, threw out the Law Practitioners ActAmendment Bill, and by 21 to 3 rejected the Bill to leduco the duty on gold. It is understood that opinions have been taken from leading lawyers in Dunedin and Auckland, including Messrs Cook, Haggitt, Maoaasoy, and Swainson, who all declare the Abolition Act ultra vires.

On Saturday Sir G. Grey telegraphed to Lord Carnarvon as follows

[Urgent.] “Right Hon. Secretary of State for’Colonies, London. “Wellington, N.Z., Oct, 7th 1876.

“ I dutifully refer to my letter of fith June last. Government determined to e’nfoice Abolition Act without consulting Provincial Legislatures, and against wish Of Provinces containing moro than one-half white population of Colony—two-thirds if Natives included. Disturbances imminent. Some threaten employment Queen’s ships. Earnestly pray telegraph to prevent disturbances. Abolition Act should be disallowed if Provincial Legislatures not consulted.

"(7. Grey, Superintendent, Auckland.” and forwarded a copy'to the Governor, who serit'itdown to the House to-day, when the Hon. Major Atkinson presented it, and moved it he'read. This was done. Mr Stout theh moved that it be printed, Svnd in doing so; complained of the Government sending' doWn this telegram when they had not done the same with Mr Maicamlrcw’s telegrams to the Governor. A bitter recriminatory discussion ensued, and lasted until a few minutes before the dinner adjournment. Sir George Grey declared a revolution to be imminent. The motion for printing was then carried.

It is stated that the Opposition intend to keep tacking so as to prevent anything definite being done until a reply to Sir 6. Grey’s telegram can be received, which is not likely to be for three weeks.