THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3273, 16 August 1873, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.]

Wellington, August 15. The Canterbury Public Libraries Bill was read a second time. Mr Bradshaw moved the second reading of the Mining on Private Property Bill.— Mr Collins opposed it, and moved that the Bill be read that day six months.- Mr O’Conor supported the second reading.—Mr Bathgate announced that the Government would not support the Bill.—Mr Macandrew said it was a pity that the mining and agricultural classes were constantly at strife to prevent each other settling ou the land. It was hard to say how to stop it. Ibe Bib would have the effect of allaying differences, and he should support it.—Mr T. L, Shepherd said the Bill was framed on the unanimous recommendation of the Goldfields Committee last session. He said the Bill would facilitate settlement. —Mr Bunny said the Bill was important, and should be brought in by the Government. It was in not providing for the Government entering on private property for prospecting. He should oppose it —Messrs Gillies and Shephard opposed the Bill. —Mr Sheehan said the objection to the Bill had been very much overstrained. A similar ope was in force in Victoria. If the Government would undertake to bring in a similar Bill next session he would advise the mover to withdraw it. If not, he hoped it would be pressed.—The Native Minister said the Government would take action next session if the Bill were withdrawn. —The question “ Jhat the Bill be read now,” was negatived by 19 to 37. Mr T. L. Shepherd then spoke in favor of the Bill being passed, and hoped some member would move that it be read day wcclc. —Mr Mervyn moved that the Bill be read that day week. -Mr O’Conor moved the adjournment of the debate till Weilnesnesday, to give the Government time to reconsider the Bill.—Mr Mervyn withdrew his motion. —Mr Vogel did not oppose the adjournment. He had understood the Bill to deal with lands already sold, but as it only proposed to deal with lands to be sold in the future, Government would reconsider it. He suggested that the Bill should be inserted in the Otago Waste Lands Act. The debate was accordingly adjourned to Wednesday. Mr Vogel moved that the House should sit for the remainder of the session on Monday evenings.—Mr White opposed the motion. —The discussion was cut short by the dinner hour. In the Council, the Telegraph Subsidy Bill and Arms Act Amendment Bill were read a second time.

August 16. In the House last night, the Premier moved that the House sit on Monday evenings, and that that evening be devoted to Government business, Messrs Gillies, Bunny, and White objected. Members already had baa too little time to become acquainted with the various Bills and papers. The motion was carried on a division by 42 to 8. Mr Macandrew moved the second reading of the Port Chalmers Waterworks Bill, and explained that it was brought forward at the request of the Town Council of Port Chalmers, and approved by the Provincial Council. The second reading was carried.

■ The Superintendent of Taranaki Empowermg Bill, and the Auckland Supreme Court Site Bill, were committed and read a third time. The Canterbury Water Supply Bill was committed, and the word “ Canterbury” struck out, so as to make it applicable to the whole Colony, and a clause inserted that it be brought into operation by proclamation of Superintendents and Provincial Councils. The Bill was then reported. Mr Fox moved the second reading of the Deeds Registration Act Amendment Bill, and explained its provisions. He stated that it had been approved by the Government.—Mr Sheehan asked that it might be postponed for a few days. He had received a telegram from Auckland stating that the Bill would destroy several titles, and asked for a postponement to permit of the arrival of the Auckland mail. —Mr Fox objected, unless Mr Sheehan would state his objections to the UiJl, —Mr Sheehan replied that he would support the Bill heartily if he found on receipt of further information from Auckland that the objections to it were weaker than represented. He would not oppose the second reading, but asked that its committal might be postponed for one week.—Mr Bathgate said the Government would not oppose the Bill.—Mr Murray supported the postponement.—The Native Miiider considered the Bill important and desirable, as it would set at rest doubts at present existing.—The Bill was read a second time. . In Committee on the Licensing Bill, the first five clauses were passed. Clause 6, providing that the local officers should give their assistance to Resident Magistrates to collect rates under heavy penalties, raised

opposition. —MrG. B. Barker moved that the chairman leave the chair.—Major Atkinson hoped the Bill would he discussed throughout, and not quietly disposed of. —Mr Swanson thought the subject should be left to the Provinces.—Mr A. S. Collins considered elective licensing boards a mistake. —Sir J. 0. Wilson said the House had only passed the second reading out of consideration to Mr Fox. —Mr Bunny said he supported the Billon its merits.—Mr Swanson asked the opinion of the Government on the subject ? Mr M‘Lean said the Premier had already expressed the views of the Ministry. Personally he should support every clause of the Bill.—Mr Rolleston considered the House should decide on the question of principle.— Mr White said a most rabid, fanatical, holyalliance man might object to clause 6. —At this point members wished the usual half hour’s adjournment.—Taiaroa objected, and said that members would go out and drink whisky and come back and vote for teetotalism. Eventually 'or Parker’s amendment was lost by 13 to 38. Another discussion arose on whether the Rill should be considered clause by clause, or whether those prior to the permissive clause should be postponed.—Mr Cuthbertson said he would support the Bill if taken clause by clause, so that the objectionable parts might be expunged and the good left. Bat he would oppose the proposed proceedings. On clause 6 being put, Mr Andrew moved that it be struck out, as it would give too much power to the General Government through paid magistrates. The clause was withdrawn. Clauses 7 and 8 were postponed. The discussion over the insertion of bottle licenses in clause 9 of the Act was cut short by reporting progress. The Canterbury Waste Land Bill was read a third time.

(from our special correspondent )

Mr Arch, the English Agricultural agitator, writes to the General Assembly that the New Zealand Government attempt to direct emigration from Brazil and other alien countries to New Zealand.