THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 3247, 17 July 1873, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, July Iff. When the House met to-day, in reply to Mr Williamson, the Premier said that as several applications were expected on the subject of railways, he would make a statement on the subject simultaneously with the Financial Statement, which he hoped to make in abeut a fortnight. In the House to-day, in reply to Mi Murray, the Premier said he expected the Clutha, Dunedin, and Lawrence Railways would be rpened about September, 1875 ; meantime, as much as possible would be made available. The Kuapeka(?) Annexation Bill was read a first time. Mr Vogel, in replying to a question by Mr Williamson, as to whether the Government intend to ask the authority of Parliament to extend the Waikato Railway to a point on the upper boundary of the confiscated line, and to connect the main line with the Thames district at Tararu, said that many applications had been made for various railways and public works. If the Government were not misled, further applications, to the amount of millions, would be made, aud the Government were prepared to come down with a statement regarding their intentions, at the same time as the Financial Statement, probably a fortnight hence. The Premier promised to bring down a report on telegraph and mail services. The Native Minister promised a report on Native affairs on the East Coast, early. The following Bills were read for the first time :—The Joint Stock Companies Amendment, and Municipal Corporation Waterworks Bills. In reply to Mr Murray, Mr Bathgate said the latter Bill would not interfere with the rights of third parties. The District Courts Amendment Assaults on Constables, Gold-mining, Prisons, and Insolvency Bills were laid on the table. Mr Seymour was elected Chairman of Com. mittfees. The Sessional Committees were appointed. In a debate regarding the Printing Committee, Mr Murray and Mr Thomson a* tacked the composition of the Committee, insinuating that printers unduly preponderated, and supported the Government from selfish objects. The Committee was agreed to. Mr Gillies moved for a return of the cost and revenue under the Public Trustees Act. Mr Bathgate replied that the cost waa Ll5O. Mr Gillies moved for a return of the amount of gunpowder authorised by each officer of the Native Department to be supplied or sold to Natives, which was agreed to. Mr O’Connor moved for a return of the annual importation of coal, with its value; also for a return of the field-work by each qfficer of the Geological Department during the past year. They were agreed to. The House then adjourned till to-morrow. The Municipal Corporation Waterworks Bill was read a first time yesterday. It pro. vides that debentures may be made redeem, able within fifty years from their issue ; that debentures may he given in exchange for vyorks purchased by a Council. The Assault on Constables Bill provides that persons assaulting, obstructing, or inciting others to assault or obstruct, are liable to a penalty of LlO or two months’ imprisonment, with or without hard labor. Persons offending against the Act may bo arrested without warrant.