THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3272, 15 August 1873, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.]

Wellington, August 14. In reply to Mr Mervyn, the Minister of Works stated that the report of Mr Simpson, Civil Engineer, -with reference to water supply on the Mount Ida goldfield would be laid on the table. Mr Steward asked the Minister of Justice whether his attention baa been drawn to the inconvenience which bad arisen in building and investment societies through minors who were shareholders being unable to execute discharges, either pers nally or by trustees, or by guardians or other persons acting on their behalf ? He also asked if a Bill would be introduced to meet their case in the same manner as provided in the Savings Bank Act. —Mr Bathgate replied that the matter was provided for in the Savings Bank Act, 1807. A long discussion took place in Committee on the Customs Tariff Bill. Sir F. Dillon Bell spoke at length, advocating the ad valorem system. He criticised the Budget, and said that last session L 121.000 had been charged to the Loan Account for capitalisation of interest, instead of being provided for out of current revenue. Mr Vogel said that the principle was right. An income-tax would be objectionable. It would bear heavily upon conscientious people. A property tax would prevent improvement and hinder settlement. The liabilities of the Colony were not heavy, and could be doubled or trebled without serious mischief to the Colony. In reply to Mr Johnston, he said that the Melbourne valuation would be placed on goods imported direct from Victoria.—ln the discussion on the schedule of the Bill, Mr Johnston moved that the uniform duties should be reduced to in* stead of 10 per cent. August 15. In the House last night, the discussion in Committee on the Tariff Bill was resumed, and continued for three hours. Eventually Mr Johnston’s amendment was lost on a division, the voting being IS to 42. Ayes— Messrs Johnston, Gillies, Rolleston, J. C, Brown, Sheehan, Swanson, White, Thomson, Karaitiana, Shepherd, Stafford, Curtis, Brandon, C. Parker, Munro, Wood, Wilson, and Clark. Noes—Messrs Reynolds, Hunter, M'Glasban, Cuthbertson, M'Gillivray, Bluett, Mervyn, W. Kelly, Buckland, Bryce, Ormond, Bathgate, Atkinson, Fox, Kichmoud, Stndholme, Bell, Reeves, O'Neill, Carrington, O’Korke, Tribe, Richardson, Webb. T. Kelly, G, B. Parker, Steward, Katene, Harrison. Henderson, Vogel, o‘Cooor, Andrews, Jackson, Kenny, J. E. Brown, Pearce, Parata, Taiaroa, Macandrew, Shephard, M'Lean, An uniform tariff often per cent, was carried, and the Bill read a third time. The following articles were added to the list of exemptions : Hair seating, curled hair, upholsterer’s webbing, metal springs, hog-skins, felt hoods and shellac. The report of the Civil Service Commission was brought up, and a Bill in accordant therewith read a first time.

The second reading of the Auckland Waterworks Bill was moved by Mr Vogel, and, after a long discussion, it was negatived on a division.

Rumor says that Mr Vogel goes Home after the session to negotiate a further loan Returns and correspondence from the Agent-General shew the average cost of introducing Government immigrants to have been Ll2 19s 9id ; deducting cash payments by the emigrants, the average was Lll 5s Id ; and further deducting cash payments and promissory notes, L 8 8s j and further deducting Brogden and Sons’ promissory notes, the rate was reduced to L 5 3s 7d. The AgentGeneral, in a final letter, says he gave effect to the many instructions of the Government which he could not approve, and for which he would not be responsible. Returns of the Native Contingencies Account show L 31,945 to have been expended thus Payment of allowance, L 25.741 ; rations, L 2,910 ; clothing, L 699. The actual expenditure for general contingencies amounted* to L 13,849. The items were Food for Natives, L 5.010 ; clothing, L72f> ; medicine and medical attendance, L 344 ; presents and gratuities, C 1,372 ; Salaries Europeans and payment for special services. L 1,566; travelling allowances and expenses, L 1,064 ; Maori newspapers, L 250 ; buildings and repairs, L 490 5s 3d ; rent, LIOO Si 4d ; funerals and monuments, L 271 5s lid ; freight and cartage, LlO7 4s; fuel, LBl 12s iOd ; flaxmill at Rangitikei, L 330; survey ■of Otamakupu block, L 254 ; legal expenses, LI 11 Os 6d ; purchase of land L 317 19s 2d; sundries, L 526 8s 9d. A return has been furnished showing the annual cost in each electoral district of forming and revising the electoral roll for the year 1872-3, together with such classification a« shows how the expenditure accrued. The total amount is L 2,995. The General Government Gazette contains statements of the average liabilities and assets of the various hanks carrying on business in the Colony, The amounts are as follows: —Bank of New Zealand —Liabilities, L 2,962,628 ; assets, 13,258,177. Union Bank of Australia—Liabilities, LI, 142,017 ; assets, L 1,264,515. Bank of New South Wales Liabilities, L 712,744 ; a/ssets, L 1,036,401. Bank of Australasia—Liabilities, L 251,646 ; assets, L 468.507. Bank of Otago—Liabilities, L 332,342; assets. L 603.041. National Bank of New Zealand —Liabilities, 143,414 ; assets, L 100.560. Another table in the same Gazette shows the ■dividends of the respective banks for the last year as follows ; —Bank of New Zealand, 12| per cent. ; Union Bank of Australia, 13 per cent.; Bank of New ftouth Wales. IS per cent. ; Bank of Australasia, 10 per cent, ; Bank of Otago (Limited), 2 per cent. ; National Bank of New Zealand (Limited), nil.

[from our special correspondent. )

Taiaroa inquires to-day why Maori rebels should be treated differently from other British subjects, and cites the Derwcntwater case.

The circumstances of the breach of privilege case mentioned in the Upp*r House yesterday, are these : Last year the Mayor of Auckland telegraphed to the Hon. Mr Chamberlain, asking his assistance in passing the Waterworks Bill through the Upper House ; and Mr Chamberlain telegraphed a reply: “ Do you consent to cut down Shortland street ? He ply yes or no before I exercise my vote on the Auckland water supply.” This catting would have brought into an important position a public-house owned by Mr Chamberlain, The Star got bold of the case, and gave a fearful thrashing to Mr Chamberlain for trying to sell hie vote in Parliament, On the Auckland Improvement Commissioners Bill coming before the House, the secretary of the City Commissioners (Mr Stevenson) asked the assistance of Mr Chamberlain, who again proposed cutting down Shortland street, and making a short street to the door of his hotel, as a preliminary consideration to bis promising to vote. Mr Stevenson happened to inform Mr Reed, editor of the Star, who is at present m Wellington, who replied if the trick “Chamberlain is trying is as dirty as the last one, I shall give it to him again.” Mr Stevenson reported this to Mr Chamberlain, who fled to the protection of the Speaker, and said a rod was being held hi terrorm over him. The Council have appointed a select committee to sit ou the matter. Last night the following free list was adopted in Committee -Lead, copper, brass,

and tin, in pigs, bars, or sheets ; common or black sheet-iron, saddle-trees, hog-skins and all saddlery requisites except silver mountings, halters, silk, plush, felt hoods and shellac, card and mill hoards, bookbinders’ (fioth, writing paper of sizes demy and over, in original wrappers and uncut edges, upholsterers’ hair seating, curled hair, webbing, and metalled springs. In the House to-day, Mr Williams, the new member for Mengonui, took his seat and the oath. Parata presented a petition from the Thames Natives against the Floatage of Timber Bill. The report of the Committee on the Importation of Stock was brought up.