THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3258, 30 July 1873, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.] Wellington. July 29. Mr AVakcfiold asked questions regarding Mr Finnimore. He said the inference to be drawn from Finnimore’s letter was that he had been in previous communication between Finnimore and the Under-Secretary. —Mr O’Rorke replied that Mr Haughton assured him he had uo communication with Irinniraore prior to the letter that had been read. It was the duty of persons having business with confiscated lauds to communicate direct with the Native Minister.-In reply to another question by Mr Wakefield, the Native Minister said there would be a public inquiry regarding Mr Fiunimore’s conduct as a militia officer, Mr E. Richardson laid on the table of the House of Representatives the report of the Otago Mining Conference, which was referred to the Goldfields Committee ; the report of the Colonial Architect; the report of the Goldfields Commissioners ; and the correspondence relative to the raising of the price of laud in Southland. Mr Murray withdrew his motion, expressing regret that the Government had not brought down a Bill relative to the drainage and improvement of laud. Mr Fox nmved the second reading of the National Bank of New Zealand (Limited) Bill.—Sir J. Cracroft Wilson presented a petition from Mr Coster, of the Bank of New Zealand, against the name of the Bank, but uot otherwise opposing the Bill.—The Speaker ruled that the petition could not be received, but said that the objects of the petition could be obtained during the passage of the Bill through the House —Mr Bathgate said the Government would propose some amend ments in Committee, particularly one providing that a list of the shareholders be deposited. If the Bank became insolvent, involuntary shareholders would); have considerable difficulty in taking proceedings against voluntary shareholders,—Mr Fox said the Bank being constituted_ under the Joint Stock Companies Act, if it failed it would be wound up under that Act.—Mr T. L. Shepherd suggested the publication of the names of depositors not claiming their interest or principal within three years.— The Bill was read a second time. Sir J. C. Wilson gave uotice of motion for the appointmant of a Committee to revise the Protection of Animals Act. Mr Rolleston gave notice of a motion to ask the Government whether they will extend. the service between Fiji and Auckland to the Southern Provinces. Mr Gillies gave notice of his intention to bring in a BUI to amend the Justices of the Peace Act, 1860. Mr Bucklaud gave similar notice of a Bill to amend the Law Practitioners Act. The Evidence Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The following Government Bills were postponed : —Electoral Bill, Regulation of Elections Bill, Provincial Electoral Bill, Native Reserves Bill. Wash dyke and Pleasant Point Railway Bill, Telegraph Cables Subsidy Bill, Provincial Councils Powers Bill.

The following Government Bills were discharged : —Leases and ."'ales Act Amendment Hill, .Notaries Bill, Law Arrests Amendment Bill. The Sheriffs Act Amendment Bill was received from the Legislative Council, and read a second time. The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The second reading of the District Courts Act Amendment Bill was carried on a division by 35 votes to 17. Mr Bathgate said the Government had no intention of making appointments under the Bill, but they proposed to empower the Judges of the Supreme Court to sit in the District Courts. The following Bills were read a first time ; - Bill to regulate the Liquor Traffic ; Bill to amend the Highway Boards Empowering Act, 1872; Bill authorising raining for gold and silver on private property. The House agreed to the production of a return of the travelling allowances to Ministers, and the allowances to the Governor during the live years ending March, 1873. Mr .Steward gave notice of motion to ask the Minister for Public Works, when the Waitaki-Oamaru, and Oamaru and (Moeraki?) portions of the Waitaki-Moeraki railway will be ready for the rails ; and when the line from Waitaki to Moevalq will be open to traffic ? Also, whether the survey of the line from to Dunedin is completed, and if not, when it is likely to be completed I July 30. In the House yesterday, Mr Bathgate presented a petition from the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Otago University, praying for letters patent to legalise degrees throughout the Colony,