THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3290, 5 September 1873, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.] W ELLINGTON, September 4 Th reply to Mr Wakefield, the ' alive Minister said the Government were already taking steps to punish the murderers of Sullivan, but he declined to «ay what was the nature of those steps.—ln reply to anoih r question by Mr Wakefield, the Native Minister said that his second visit to Tawhiao was postponed in the first instance because of a change of Ministry, and then because of the meeting of Parliament. The Treasury Bills Extended Currency Bill, 1873, was read a first time. When Mr Brown’s motion regarding a San Francisco service was called on, Mr Vogfl said he hoped to have information to lay before the House on the subject in a week. A motion affirming the desirability of the construction of a harbor at Mew Plymouth was withdrawn. '! he debate on the motion to reduce the gold duty by sixpence was resumed. Messrs T. L. Shepherd, Mervyn, Fyke, Tribe, and Bradshaw supported the motion, and Messrs Harrison, J. Shephard, and Luckie opposed it. Both the motion and an amendment to give the Provinces power to reduce the duty, were negatived on divisions. In the Legislative Council, the Thames Gas Bill was read a second time ; and the Promissory Oaths Bill, and Weights and Measures Act Amendment Bill, were read a third time. September 5, Last night the Speaker stated that a printed paper, purporting to be the evidence of a witness examined before the Timber Floatage Committee, had been circulated among members, and the Committee not having reported to the House, a flagrant breach of privilege had occurred.—Mr T. L Shepherd said that, recently a member of the Committee had shown the minute-book of the Committee, and the contents were published by newspapers prior to the Committee reporting.—The Speaker said a Committeeman or witness divulging prior to the Committee reporting committed a breach of privilege.—After discussion the matter dropped. The second reading of the Masters and Apprentices Act Amendment Bill was adjourned. The report of the Committee on the Gold Mining District Bill was agreed to, and the Protection of Animals Bill read a third time. Major Atkinson moved that the House go into Committee to consider a vote of L 25.000 as compensation for the Wanganui and Patca settlers for losses incurred during the disturbances of 1868-1869. —ThePremier opposed the motion.—Mr W. Kelly moved, as an amendment, that the Government, daring the recess, ascertain the number and amount of the claims. After three hours’ discussion, the resolution was negatived on the voices, and the amendment was negatived by 30 to 2°. The following Bills were read a third time: Distillation Amendment Bill, Taranaki Education Reserves Act Amendment Bill, New Plymouth Exchanges Bill, Township of Geraldine Bill. The following Bills were read a second time Otago Waste Lands Bill No. 3, Clutha Districts Public Works Loan Bill, Plans of Town Regulation Bill. (from our special correspondent.)

The following was the division list on the question of reducing the duty ou gold : Ayes, 26—Messrs Bradshaw, J. C. Brown, Bunny, Carrington, J. L. Gillies, Henderson, Ingles, Kenny, Macsndrew, Mervyn, Murray, O’Conor. O’Neill, Pyke, Reid Seymour, T. L. Shepherd, Stafford, Swanson, Taiaroa, Takamoana, Thomson, Tribe, "Wakefield, White, and Williamson, Noes, 31—Messrs Bathgate, Blqett, Brandon, J E. Rrpwn, Ruckfand Curtis, Cuthbertson Fox, Harrison, Jackson, Kelly, Luckie, M Gillivray, M*Lean, Munro, Parata, Parke*, Reeves, Reynolds, Rhodes, Richardson, Richmond, Sheehan, Shepherd, V ogel, Webb, Williams, Wood, and • s ir J. C. Wilson. For the motion, the pairs were Messrs Collins and Steward ; against, Messrs M ‘Glashan ancj Styclholme, Mr Bradshaw to-day complained of Mr Shepherd having taken upon himself to dis solve the Goldfield Committee this morning, and take away the minute-book for private purposes,—Mr Shepherd said he had not taken away the minute-book to show it to newspaper writers orcorrespondents, referring to what Mr Mervyn said in last night’s debate in reference to the division of the Goldfields members published in the Star, but for his'own information, to see how often members had attended the Committee, for the purpose of usjng the information in the Rebate to-day. The report on Brogdcn’s petition will come up on Monday.