THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 2950, 2 August 1872, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.]

(from our own correspondent.)

August 2,

Yesterday afternoon a motion for printing a list of emigration agents led to an animated discussion. Mr Reid said the arrangements we a perfect muddle, Mepsrp W<?od and

Gilli es objected to the present system, and Mr O’Neill complained that no one had been sent to Ireland. Mr Steward’s motion, to abolish grand juries, was adjourned. The Tramways Bill made progress m committee. and the Public Health Bill passed through committee, with few alterations. A Bill introduced by Mr Fitzhorhert for the sale of the Wanganui Bridge to the town of Wanganui, was rejected by 35 to 14. The Up er House rejected the Highway Boards Bill. In the adjourned debate on Mr Sheehan’s motion, that the Attorney-Generalship should be a political office, Mr Shepherd opposed it, and said that recent events in Victoria had induced him to place a much higher value on the services of the AttorneyGeneral of this Colony, Mr Fox intimated that the Government, on further consideration, were averse to the change. Individually he was in favor of the change, if the office was open to members of both Houses. The motion was negatived on the voices. In the Upper House to-day, the Government, in renly to Mr Sewell, said the communication had been received from the Post-master-General of Great Britain on the subject of establishing a mail between the Colonies of Victoria and New Zealand, and Great Britain, via San Francisco. On the motion of the Hon. Mr Holmes, a return was agreed to of all contracts and engagements entered into for railways and tramways under the Public Works Act. i* The Government stated to-day it was their intention to introduce a Bill ffor the unification of the West Coast goldfields. Mr Curtis gave notice of a motion to the effect that changes in the boundaries ? of Provinces tend to uncertainty, cause useless expense, and are unwise, unless made on a permanent basis, and in the interest of the whole Colony. The Invercargill Special Bates Bill was read first time, as was the Kesident Magistrates’ Court Amendment Act. Mr Bathgate said the object of the latter Bill was to rectify omissions in reference to the cost of appeal.