THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3254, 25 July 1873, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.] Wellington, July 24. In the House, Mr Shepherd asked the Premier whether the Government intends to extend the telegraph during the financial year, from Naseby to Clyde, via Blacks and St. Bathans ? The Premier said the cost would be between L 3,000 and L 4,000 ; but that the Government would inquire into the matter.

Mr Bradshaw asked the Government whether they had received any report from the Commission appointed by the Provincial authorities of Otago regarding the sale of waste lands known to be auriferous, to M'Donald, at Switzers ? The Premier said the report would bs laid on the table iu a few days.

In reply to Mr O’Neill, in the House of Representatives, the Premier said that abstracts and specifications of patents were being rapidly proceeded with. In reply to a question from the same gentleman, the Premier said that despatches fr«m the Secretary of State were unfavorable to the establishment of a New Zealand mint.

In reply to Mr Bradshaw, the Premier said that Government did not intend to introduce a measure this session authorising mining for gold and silver on private property. It was desired to watch the operation of Victorian legislation on the subject. In reply to Mr Murray, Mr Richardson said that materials for the public service were procured iu Europe in the following manner :—Orders were sent to the AgentGeneral, who caused specifications to be prepared by the Government Engineer. Tenders were then invited, and the lowest have been always accepted. The plans of Towns Regulation Bill was introduced by Mr O’Neill, and read a first time; and on the motion of Mr Vogel, the Education Bill was read a first time. The Wellington Loan Bill and the Sheriffs Act Amendment Bill were also read a first time.

On the motion of Mr Gillies, it was agreed that the correspondence from Shaw, Saville & Co., on the subject of chartering immigrant ships by the Agent-General, should be produced. In reply to Mr Bradshaw, the Government promised to lay on the table the Regulations for Goldfields Discovery Rewards. In reply to Dr. Webster, the Premier said the transactions between the Government aud the Bank of New Zealand were carried on under an agreement laid before the House in 1871. On the motion of Mr Gillies, the Volunteer Land Scrip Bill was read a second time. Mr Gillies proposed to amend the Bill in Committee so as to leave the option of issuing scrip to the Provincial Councils. He said that in the Province of Auckland persons who had purchased scrip had afterwards bought up blocks of land by this means at half-a-crown an acre. The Defence Minister promised to introduce clauses iu Committee protesting existing rights. Mr Vogel said that he hoped to be in a position to make the Financial Statement on Tuesday. Mr Vogel obtained leave to introduce an Imprest Supply Bill for a quarter of a million, Mr Gillies said that he did not appear as the leader of the Opposition ; there was no organised Opposition iu existence. The necessity for an Imprest Supply Bill was caused by the House not being called together earlier. Mr Reader Wood saw no objection to the Bill.

The Joint Stock Companies Act has been passed. Mr Wakefield has given notice of motion foi a return of sales and leases by Natives to Europeans since 1862, distinguishing between Government and private transactions, and giving all particulars. Major Atkinson moved for a copy of the correspondence between any officer of the Government and Mr W. Hnnimore, of Wanganui, relative to the purchase of a large block of land on the West Coast, known as the Railway Reserve. Mr M'Lean said he was just about to lay the papers on the table. Mr Fox moved that the correspondence be read. A letter from Mr Finnimore, formerly Government Auctioneer at Wanganui, to Mr C. E. Haughton, Under Secretary for Immigration, was read, in which the writer referred to the sale by auction of certain lands, and went on to propose that he and Mr Haughton should enter into a land speculation, offering to pay Mr Haughton half the nett profits. Mr Finnimore did not wish his name to appear. He proposed that the land on the Railway reserve should be sold to him at the upset price, and then auctioned, the nett profits to be divided. He offered to deposit LI,OOO, but the transaction was to be strictly private and confidential, Mr Pinnimore referred to his services in the field, and said he might claim a large slice of land from the Government, but had not got a rood, and the Government had twice ruined him. He said if Mr Haughton joined him a large sum would be made. The letter was headed “private and confidential,” and signed “ W. Finnimore.” Mr Haughton replied, stating that he could not regard the letter as confidential, and he therefore handed it to the Native Minister. The latter dispensed with Mr Finnimore’s services and appointed Captain Ray, of Patea, to conduct all land sales personally. July 25. Mr Bradshaw asks to-day whether the Government will extend the telegraph to Tapanui and Switzers; also, whether the Government will refer the report of the Mining Conference at Lawrence to the Goldfields Committee.