THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3252, 23 July 1873, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, July 22. In the House of .Representatives, on the second reading of the Animals Importation Prohibition Bill coming on, Mr Vogel read what had taken place on the matter at the Conference, as well as the replies of the several Superintendents, The Superintendent of Canterbury recommended the quarantine system. The Superintendent of Hawke’s Bay said that the quarantine system only was necessary. The Superintendent of Auckland entirely opposed prohibition, and recommended inspection, and quarantine when necessary. Mr Bluett said that in Committee he would propose that the regulations adopted by the Provincial Council of Canterbury be added to the Bill. Prohibition would retard the increase of the wealth of the country, and the people of Canterbury were entirely opposed to it. There was no guarantee that the Colony would be in a better position two years hence than now. Mr Gillies said the Government already had the power proposed to be given them in the Bill. Quarantine was sufficient; and we might as well prohibit immigration for fear of small-pox. The Bill would place too much power m the hands of the Government,

Sir J. C. Wilson moved, and Mr G. B. Parker seconded, that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr Rhodes supported the Bill. Mr Rolleston suggested the amendment of the Diseased Cattle Act to meet the difficulty, Mr Vogel said he would leave the Bill to the House. At present the Bill only gave power to prevent the importation of cattle. The Bill was thrown out on a division by 28 votes to 25. (The Bill was intended to give the Governor in Council power to make regulations prohibiting the importation into the Colony of animals of all kinds, or meat, skins, horns, hoofs, hay, or fodder which might be considered likely to propagate any infectious or contagious disease. The penalty of a breach of the regulations was LIOO, to be recovered in a summary way. The Bill was introduced chiefly with a view to prevent the importation of the foot-and-mouth disease.) Mr Fitzherbert gave notice of motion for the introduction of a Bill for granting a loan of L 210,000 to the Province of Wellington. Mr Vogel said, with reference to the mail arrangements with Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, aud Co., that they repudiated the six months’ contract entered into with their agent here. The Government had been in negotiation with Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co. .with reference to a three years’ agreement, but had reserved the contract for the approval of the House.- Meantime, arrangements would be made for the carriage of the next mail per Rangitoto. In reply to Mr Swanson, Mt Vogel said that he was not aware of any correspondence between Mr Waterhouse aud the banks of New Zealand with reference to the public account. The following Bills were read a first time : Evidence Further Amendment; Law Arrest Amendment; Leases and Sales of Settled Estates Act Amendment; Notaries Bill; Bill to constitute Local Councils in Native Districts, and define their Functions and Duties ; Regulation of Elections Bill; Electoral Bill; Provincial do ; Bill enabling the Governors of Wellington College to borrow Money for the College; Bill to amend the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867.

The following Bills were passed Municipal Corporations Water Works Act Amendment; Assaults oa Constables. A Telegraph Cable Bill was Message from the Governor, and time. Mr Steward asked whether the materials for the Waitaki Bridge were unsuitable, and when tenders would be called for the construction of the bridge Mr Richardson said he was informed that the materials sent out were suitable for the purpose they were intended for. The materials were not the same as originally ordered by the Engineer-in-Chief, as the consulting engineers in England did not consider the materials ordered to be suitable, and altered them, with the consent of the Agent-General. They had sent out a machine called “ Webb’s Excavator,” but the Engineer-in-Chief preferred the pneumatic process. The machinery was being altered to suit the materials, and whichever process was most suitable would be adopted. Tenders would then be invited.

Leave of absence fpr ten days was granted to Mr J. C. £ro\yn, spd tp JV).r M‘Gla«hftP aud Mr Macandrewfor ope week,

The Miners’ Franchise Extension Bijl entitles every holder of a miner’s right or bush ness license, who is qualified to vote for the election of members of the Hoase of Representatives or Provincial Council,, to vote at the election of the Superintendent of the Province in which such miner’s right or business license is issued. The qualification ia to commence from the passing of the Aot, In the Legislative Council, the Interest Bill was defeated by a large majority. The Bill proposed to fix the statutory rate of interest, except under contract, at six per cent.

A Bank Holidays Bill has been introduced to make the following days close holidays New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, the 24th May, if a week day, and the 2Gth December, if a week day; Bills of Exchange due on any of these days, to be due on the following days.

July 23. Mr Reynolds moved for leave of absence to be granted to Mr Creighton for three weeks.

A debate ensued, and several members opposed the motion. A division was called for but not taken.

The motion was to. Mr Bradshaw moyad that Tea vp of abspncg be granted to Mr Donpld Eefd, on aocoqnjj of urgent public affairs, I>r Webster moved, as an amendment, that the words “ private affairs ” be substituted, which was agreed to. In the Lower House, last night, Mr Bathgate moved the second reading of the District Courts Act Amendment Bill. He explained that the Bill is intended to extend the equity jurisdiction in the District Courts to L3OO, so as to cheapen litigation, Mr T. JL Shepherd supported the Bill. On reporting the Bill, the Government, instead of amending the old Bill, introduced an entirely new Bill, Mr Steward supported the Bill. It would enable parties to cany cases from E. M. to District Courts cheaply, and also enable certain criminal prosecutions to be more economically conducted than at present. Mr Gillies criticised the Bill as retrogressive, not reformatory. It rendered the offices of the Judges of the Supreme court sinecures, and simply increased the patronage of the Government, as the necessity arose for more district judges. The Bill raised a distinction between law and equity, which it was always sought here to amalgamate; The decision as to' matters wijdun the jurisdiction of the IHstrjaji Courts udder the new

Bill, would fee difficult. There were too many Courts already. Reform should discourage litigation, and he hoped the Bill would he modified in Committee. Mr Bathgate replied the proposed Bill would not interfere with the Supreme Courts which were occupied with large and important quest ions, and there was no intention to make new appointments. The second reading was agreed to. The Gold Mining Bill was read a second time, as was also the Canterbury Waste Lands Bill. Mr Thomson moved that to-morrow the House resolves itself into Committee, to consider the Clutha Public Works Loan. Mr Wilson wished to know to what extent the land was already hypothecated, and which land was proposed to be hypothecated under the Bill ? . Mr .Shepherd proposed that the question be postponed until after the financial statement. , ~ Mr Bender Wood supported the motion, which was then agreed to. A Select Committee was appointed to consider the Civil Service Amendment Permanent Officers Salaries Bill. The House adjourned.