GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 758, 27 October 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(From our Exchangee.) WipONOTON, October 17. the Legislative Council is cutting tho Counties Bill to pieces. It has inserted a danse disqualifying Chairmen of Counties from sitting in either House of Assembly, has made tho chairman elective by the Council instead of by tho ratepayers generally, and by 4(5 to U has struck out the clauses giving borrowing powers to tho Councils, so as to limit them simply to overdrafts to the extent of one year’s revenue, These changes have excited considerable commotion in the Lower House. There is evidently trouble ahead. The House will not accept the Bill in its present mutilated form, and if tho usual conferences fail.to adjust matters—as they almost certainly fail (for the Council from its tone is not likely to yield)—there will be a kind of dead-lock. A great many members of the House say they, will drop the Counties Bill altogether and go back to Provincialism lather than accept the Bdl as altered by the Council, What the end of it. will be no one can guess. A trial of strength between the two Houses t6 settle once and for ever which shall rule the Colony is urged in some quarters. Speaking on tho Bill last night, Colonel Whitmore said that the House of Representatives was a mere collection of delegates from the people, and. that the Council really represented the Colony. The Hon. M. Holmes urged that if the Counties were allowed to borrow they would go into public works and so keep up the rate of wages, so that flock-owners could not get men to shear under 20s per 100. October 18. A report has been wide’y circulated that Ministers, during tho recess, intend to live in the Provinces to which they respectively belong, as “Resident Ministers.” It is ‘understood that, witli the exception of Mr Whitaker (who cannot give up his professional duties in Auckland), the report is entirely untrue. There was a long talk over the Volunteer estimates. The Government promised to make Targe reductions during the recess. The feeling was very strong against paid commanding officers, except in a few North Island districts. Major Atkinson moved the omission of L4OOO of tho vote for the annual prize firing, but the reduction was negatived by 25 to 10. A general reduction of LIOOO was 'Slade in the total for the department. Sir Robert Douglas, as an old soldier, condemned mere shooting clubs, and urged that only artillery Corps were useful, and should alone be supported. The Council is altering tho Counties Rill still more, fixing a minimum size for Counties and making other changes. It has also introduced the official assignee principle into the Debtors, and Creditors Bill, and the borrowing and endowment clauses of the Hat hour Board Bills must bo excised. It is stated here that Mr Maoandrew has telegraphed the Otago members to know whether they will support him in active steps to frustrate the Abolition of Provinces coming into force. October 19. The copy of Lord Carnarvon’s telegram j was laid on the table to-day without remark , It was not even read, but it was ordered to be printed. Bir G. Grey is said to have addressed a long letter to the Governor, enclosing another for transmission to tho Secretary of State, in reply to Lord Normanby’s despatch. The Governor is underst-.ed to have replied to Sir George Grey, and forwarded him a copy of the covering despatch he intends sending home to-morrow. The whole correspondence will probably be laid oil the table to-night. It is said to be of a very hot description on both sides. The Hon. Captain Fraserobjected strongly to a county being called Vincent, and having failed to induce the Council to alter it, is, on recommittal, going to try and make it St. Vincent. Mr Pyke says if he does, ho will add the prefix saint to his own name. Captain Fraser has given formal notice of a motion on tho subject. Some members still hope to end the session next week, hut it is very doubtful whether this can be done. An attempt will probably be made to get the house to sit on Saturday, but this is, not likely to be carried, as, owing to tbs late sittings every night and the bad atmosphere of the House, members generally are pretty well tired, aud a trip across the Straits in the Hincmoa is talked of for Saturday, and will be more attractive. . October 20. Last night was chiefly occupied with a committee discussion on the Noxious Animals’ Prohibition Bill. It was very funny. Mr Hodgkinson wanted the importation of Fykes prohibited, and Mr Pyke grew rather warm on the subject. Sir Sheehan moved to insert Abolitionist amongst birds of prey, and generally there was a good deal of larking going on. The Bill passed without material alteration. Sir G. Grey’s Permissive Abolition was again postponed. The discontent of Maoridom is coming to a head. The Maoris mean mischief,. Karaitiana said in the House last night that Ngatiturn should he covered with blood before it was given up. M’Lean being ill is making matters worjo. Tho Immigration and Public Works Ap.propriition Act is printed. It appropriates L 2,032,285, The railway construction votes include, Canterbury branches (Amherly, Waitaki), L 85,188 ; Waitaki Bridge, L 1300; Waitaki to Invercargill (including Laurence ‘ branch), L 316.331; Wiiiton-Kingston, Lsl, 073. A vote of L 30.000 is proposed for additional cost of land on authorised lines, and L 70.000 for additional rolling stock and stations, to meet increased traffic. The vrtte for telegraph construction is L 45.040. The sum of L 14.500 is put down for departmental buildings in Christchurch, and L 49, 700 for lichthousea. Tho general Vote for the introduction and location of immigrants is LOfii’OOO

October 23. It is understood that the session will in all probability close this week. The Government will not recommend the House to agree with the amendments made in tho Counties 13111 by tho Legislative Council, but it is hoped arrangetne'hts will be made at tho conference of both Houses, by Which tho difficulty will be overcome, , On Saturday night Mr Donald Reid and Mr Do Latour strongly remonstrated with Sir O. Grey and Mr Roes for obstructing tho public business, and said they were beginning to bo ashamed to belong to tho Opposition. Mr Reid added that ho had during the session endeavored to act loyally by bis party, but ho had been humiliated and disgraced by tho conduct of that party aud its leaders.