THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 3248, 18 July 1873, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, July 17. The Fngineer-in-Chief gives the estimate of the revenue from the Nelson and Foxhill Railway as 1.8,000, and the working expenses L 7,000. The traffic of the line will almost entirely depend on timber. L 2,000 are expected from passengers. He considers it quite hopeless to look for working expenses on the Kaiapoi and Kyreton Railway, which will not be less than L 2,000 or L.3,000 a year. The Racecourse and Southbridge Railway will pay a dividend in addittion to working expenses. 'lhe Rakaia and Ashburton line runs through poor, shingly soil, which is unfit for cultivation. He estimates that the Timaru and Coleridge districts will yield a passenger revenue Of 1.3,000, and a freight traffic of L 1,400, which is equal to the working expenses. The Ashburton and Timaru Railway will open a district of 100,000 acres of cultivated laud, and the estimated revenue is L 43,000 a year. The whole expenditure will be L 28,000, leaving a net revenue of L 15,000. The WaitakiMoeraki Railway passes through one of the best districts in the Middle Island, in which 60,000 acres are under cultivation. The estimated revenue is L 17,000, working expenses L 14,000. The Tokomairiro and Lawrence will yield an annual profit of LB,OOO. the working expenses being LlO 000, and the gross revenue LIB.OOO. The Winton to Kingston Railway will yield a net profit of L 7,500, the estimated receipts being L 26,000, the working expenses L 18,500. The Brunner Coal Railway working expenses are estimated at L 4,000 a year, and it will require the production of 23,000 tons of coal a year to pay working expenses. The report on the North Island Railways will soon be published. In the House to-day, Mr Mervyn moved for copies of the contract entered into on behalf of the Government for the construction of a water-race from Manuharikia to Naseby. He said he understood that no provision had been made for the completion of the contracts within the specified period, and that the General Government had little to do with the public works of Otago. Mr Richardson said the contracts were let in the usual way. Tenders were called for under the direction of the Public Works Department. He was not aware whether there was any provision for a period for completion. Mr Murray gave notice of motion that the Government ought to take immediate steps to prevent the further purchase of land from the Natives by Europeans, until a measure is passed to regulate such transactions in a manner more satisfactory to the Natives, more consistent with the progress of bona fidt colonisation, and the maintenance of peace in the Colony. The Speaker announced the receipt of a telegram from Mr Hallenstein, resigning his seat. He said he must await the formal resignation before issuing the writ. In reply to Mr Johnston, the Premier said two securities of L 25,000 from Messrs Webb and Holliday were held by the Government. Mr Webb had refused to pay, but the bonds were good, and the Government would recover the money. The sum of LIO,OOO had already been stopped fromithe money due to Mr Webb.

The Volunteer Land Scrip Act was read a first time, and the Municipal Corporations Waterworks and Assault on Constables Bills read a second time. A return showing the practical rejult of the Industrial Committee laat session was agreed to. Mr H. R. Webb (Lyttelton) moved the Address in Reply, and referred to the prosperity of the Colony as duo to the Public Works and Immigration policy. The country should feel grateful to the Goverqmcnt for having avoided another Native war, and the people of the Middle Island, he ventured to say, would approve of the act‘on of the Government, He trusted the same good feeling would exist between the present Governor ami the Ministry as with Governor Bowen. Mr Cuthbertson (Invercargill) seconded. Mr Gillies said he would not move an amendment, nor would he cause a debate now, as other opportunities would arise. He only spoke lest it should be thought be entirely approved of the Address. The Address was then carried. On the second reading of the Municipal Corporations Bill, Mr Gillies asked whether the debentures were to be issued at par or at a price to be fixed upon, Mr Bathgate referred to the 22nd clause of the Municipal Corporations Act, and said they might be exchanged at par for value, I ho House rose at 4.30 p.m.