THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 2960, 14 August 1872, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Electric Telegraph.] (From our own Correspondent.) Aug. 14. There was a caucus meeting of the Otago members of both Houses to-day re the Otago Reserves. Seventeen members were present. It was agreed by most to press for the whole of the Reserves, reserving mineral rights for public uses. _ . There is a strong feeling against Mr Curtis’s motion, and it is believed it will be rejecterl by a considerable majority. In the House yesterday, Mr Sheehan gave notice of motion for inquiry into the Civil Service. In reply to Mr Bradshaw, the Government invited new clauses in the Gold Mining A ct re accidents. Mr Vogel introduced a Bill providing for the service of legal notices by telegraph. The Deceased W.fc’s sisters Marriage Bill was further considered in committee, and the Dunedin Gas and Waterworks Bill postponed. The Highway Boards Empowering Act was further considered, and an amendment by Mr' Bunny carried on a division by MS to 13, that rates be levied on annual value o the .value to sell. The Northern Otago District Public Works Loan Bill was read a first time. Mr Shepherd moved that L 300,000 for the supply of water on goldfields be allocated between the Provinces and the county of Westland. Mr Reeves said the Government proposed to distribute the money between Otago, the West Coast, and the Thames goldfields. The matter was referred to the Goldfields Committee. Mr Wood moved his motion "re the Session at Dunedin. Mr Gisborne said the Government found the cost amounted to LSOOO, whereas the House only anticipated the cost would be 1.2000, and their removal would seriously delay public works and cause great inconvenience. It was therefore decided to afford the House an opportunity of re-considering its decision. Mr Reid considered the apology lame, and referred to the expenditure by the Provincial Government of Otago on the faith of the General Government’s assurance that it would he in ■ fluenced by the nature of the accommodation afforded. Messrs Reynolds and Bathgate followed in the same strain. The motion was withdrawn. On the motion of Mr Reynolds, the Immigration Committee was instructed to enquire into the working of the immigration scheme so far as Otago was concerned. The Bill’s Committee have decided that the Dunedin Gas and Water Works Bill be a Private Bill. It is consequently lost for this session.