GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3583, 17 August 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, August 15, In the House of Representatives, on Friday, iu re the Manawatu- Rangitikei land claims, Sir Donald M‘Clean gave the whole of the particulars of how he came to interfere in the adjustment of the Manawatu difficulty, which entailed upon him six weeks of the most disagreeable duty he ever experienced, ayd the like of which ho amount of persuasion or entreaty would ever induce him to undertake again ; nor was he thhnked /n the least for bis services. He thought the'Frovince, which was then iu a very despondent state, should be very well satisfied with the arrangements.—Mr Andrews opposed the motion, on the ground that, as arbitrator, he gaVe his award outside’ the point submitted

for arbitration. Tl e Government would, by sanctioning the resolution, establish a mischievous precedent to arbitrators.—After ,v °“® father discussion, a division was ani the resolution was carried by to Jp® fp 4n J}, Gr n ,oVe( i the second reading of f *. b l C u Works -Advances Bill, for giving effect to the proposals contained in the financial statement -Mr T. B. Gillies pointed out that advances to different Provinces all seemed to be made on different schemes, and that genera ly it gave the Government unusually large powers, and to dole out assistance in any way it chose. In reply to other objections to certain details, the Premier indicated that hs would entertain them when iu committee.—The Bill was read a second time. The Premier, in the absence of Mr Richardson, moved the Immigration and I’ublic Works Act Amendment Bill.—Mr Fribe asked whether the charge o c maintaining the road fr«m Hokitika to Christchurch would be made a first charge on the allowances to Canterbury and Westland. The worst portion was in Westland, and it was quite beyond the resources of the Province to keep it repaired.—The Premier thought the cost be met jointly by the two Provinces, and suggested that the respective Superintendents should consult upon the matter. r Railways Bill: The second reading was moved by the Premier in the absence of Mr Richardson,—Mr Outhbertson gave a number of statistics to show the value of the Southland Railway, urging that they should be considered m any valuation.—Mr Mervyu suegested that surveys should be made in the Clyde district to ascertain the best route for the main line ; the present lines being along the seaboard, opened up very little country.-*-* Mr J. Shephard disapproved of the blindness of Provincial authorities in not constructing an , kne trough the Province to tap goldfields, and large quantities of Crown land now idle,—Mr J. E. Brown suggested an extension of the schedule as required by Canterbury railways.—The Premier said the great work the Government had in view was to carry forward great trunk main lines from Auckland to Wellington, whether by East or West Coast, and connect Nelson with the West Coast, and Malborough with North Canterbury. These must be fir»t carried out, and the branch lines to Tekomairiro and Dunstan might then be dealt with. The branch lines should be a charge upon the land fund, they so much enhanced the value of land interested. Already L 206.400 had been voted for railways in Otago out of a total sum of L 557,000 authorised.—The Bill was read a second time. The Premier announced that probably the Polynesian Island Trade Bill would net bo proceeded’farther with this session. In any case they c-iuld not proceed with it while the abolition debate was pending, and the resuit of which was so uncertain, and pro* bably not at all. ' P Bill passed : Employment of Females Act.