THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 2996, 25 September 1872, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegram.]

(From our own Correspondent. ) September 25. The amendments made by the Council on the Drawbacks Bill were agreed to. The Stamp Duties Act Amendment Bill was reported with amendments. The Protection of Animals Bill was passed. The Kegulation of Elections BjII passed the second ing. The Government Contractors Hill passed. The National Currency and Banking Bill was read a second time, on the understanding that it would be withdrawn. On Mr O’Porke’s resolutions, re the establishment of a University in Auckland, the House divided as follows : -The first resolution—“ That it is desirable, in order that the North Island should enjoy the same benefits as regards University education as are at present afforded to the Middle Island by the University of Otago, that the seat of the New Zealand University should be estabished in the North Island ’’—was carried by 22 to 13. The second—” That, in order to afford facilities for carrying out this object without pecuniary cost to the Colony, this House is of opinion that a respectful address should be presented to his Excellency the Governor, requesting him to recommend the dedication of the Government House and grounds at Auckland as the seat of the N.Z. University, on the condition that, whenever a Government House shall be required at Auckland, the Province of Auckland shall expend not less than LIO,OOO in erecting a suitable residence in the Government demesne at Auckland ” was withdrawn. The third- “ That this House is of opinion that all moneys voted by Parliament for the purposes of University education should be divided equally between the University at Dunedin and the pcoposed University at Auckland” —was carried by 18 to 16. The fourth— “ That the functions of the New Zealand University should not be limited to those of an examining body; but should inc'ude those of a teaching body also”—was carried on the voices. The fifth, for the conversion of the Albert Barrack Reserve Into a University endowment, was also withdr wn. in Committee of Supply, the House passed the votes under the class of Public Domains, Buildings; Public Departments, Legislative Departments, to the amount of L 17.950 10s. A warm debate ensued on Mr Richardson (Christchurch) reminding the Colonial Treasurer that last year he expressed an opinion that the Estimates could bo reduced L 50.000, and surely he ought to carry out his own proposal. The Treasurer said, although asking for votes, he did not propose expending them. Mr Vogel said Ministers seemed willing t® adopt what they condemned in a previous Government, without giving the credit where it was due. They had obtained their seats under false pretences. Mr Fox said that the promises made to catch support were unfulfilled, and gave illustrations. Mr Stafford said, if the Government were held responsible for the Estimates, they would require another fortnight to prepare them, and would not press the Estimates further. „ Progress was then reported, the the House adjourned at 2 o’clock a.m.