THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 2944, 26 July 1872, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT, July 25. In reply to Mr Steward the Colonial Secrctary stated that it was not the intention of the Government to intoduce an Act to suppress larrikinism. Leave of absence for a fortnight was given to Mr Hallcnstein, member for Queenstown. A Bill to regulate plans of towns, as proposed by Mr O’Neill, was read the first time. r Iteid moved for papers relating to the Invercargill and Mataura and Dunedin and Balclutha lines, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the reproaches made on several occasions against tha Provincial Government in respect to the Clutha lino were justified. Upon thji question of appointing a committee to inquire into the necessity of an electric cable to Australia. Mr Vogel said a Bill was prepared for enabling the Government to join the other Australian Colonies in a guarantee of interest to a company to construct the cable.

July 26, In the House last night Mr Curtis moved the second reading of the Larceny Act Amendment Bill, the object of which is to simplify the existing Act. During the debate ho attacked the lawyers, and attributed the verbal technicalities and ambiguity of lav/ to them. Mr Gisborne read the opinion of the Attorney-General, pointing out the defects in Mr Curtis’s Bill. Mr Fox also criticised. it; and Mr Bheehan, of Auckland, defended the lawyers, Mr Gillies spoke in favor of removing obsolete technicalities, and using ordinary English. The Bill was referred to a Select Committee. The debate on the Public Trusts Offices Pill was resumed. Mr Vogel said the fees

would more than cover the cost of the office. The second reading was, on a division, carried, the voting being—ayes, 2-’>; lines, 11. In reply to Mr Bolleston, Mr A "gel said the Board of Health at Wellington had decided to quarantine the .Nebraska for fifteen days. The Government bad arranged to send on the southern mails to-day. The Health Officer, on inspecting the vessel, found evidence of smallpox cases having occurred between Auckland and Honolulu, There were still infected persons aboard, and their clothes and bedding would be destroyed. The debate on the Life Assurance Bill was resumed. Mr Brandon defended the Australian Mutual Provident Society and Mutual Societies generally, and completely refuted Mr Vogel’s attack on the Mutual Provident and Grcville’s Agency. Air Litzherbert condemned Air Vogel’s disparagement of private companies, and touting by Government lecturers. Air APGlashan praised the Government scheme. Mr Vogel replied ; and the second reading was agreed to. The Provincial Councils Act empowers Councils to appoint tribunals to hear and determine the matters prescribed, by increasing the jurisdiction of magistrates and justices, and regulating the procedure of the same. The following are the subjects : Scab in sheep ; sale of liquors ; cattle trespass and impounding ; branding ; prevention of thistle growing ; making and repairing highways ; valuation, assessment, levying, and recovery of rates ; constructing and maintenance of boundary fences. The Provincial Legislature is empowered to deal with these subjects, and to legislate penalties. The Beal Estate Bill, introduced in the Upper House by the lion. John Hall, provides that real cstitc shall descend and be distributed as personal estate, ami devises are to be treated as legacies. Should real estate or interest under the Act come to a married woman, in the event of her death the estate to be treated as if she died a widow. The second reading of the Drawbacks Bill was adjourned. The House went into Committee and passed the Imprest Supply Bill, granting supplies of LIOOjOOO out of the Consolidated Fund, and L 30,000 out of the Defence Loan, &c. In reply to Mr Swanson, Mr Fox announced that it was not the intention of the Government to introduce the Education Bill this session, and expressed the opinion that it would bo better to leave the question to Provincial Governments. The Minister of Public Works, in reply to Air O’Neill, said that it was intended to construct the water supply for the Thames for 147,000.