THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3930, 29 September 1875, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph ]

Wellington, September 29. In the Legislative Council yesterday, the following motions were carried :—Dr i olhn moved for leave to bring in a Bill entitled, " An Act to i rovide that apprentices may be bound, taught, ami instructed iu certain arts and trades connected with the service of the Government of the Colony."

Mr Russell moved that it be an instruction in the Te Ante College Estate Committee also to inquire into and report on the past administration and present position of tho following Educational Trusts, namely, Porirua School, Otakl School, Motueka School, Papawai,

The Wellington Rivers Bill was postponed. The Grey town and Masterton Public Park and Cemetery Reserves Bill was read a second time and referred to a Select Committee. The Davides Successor Bill passed through Committee without amendment.

Considerable discussion arose on a motion by Dr Pollen to read the fiako Exchange Bill a second time. He gave an explanation of its provisions and circumstances, which made legislation necessary. The land now belonging to Mr Thomas Russell was originally granted to Mr Willis, and the survey encroached on tho land granted to another claimant, but a title was procured for Mr Russell under the Land Transfer Act. Mr Waterhouse moved that the Bill be read that diy six months. He contended that the title must have K-en obtained by fraud. The Bill was thrown out.

The Piako Exchange Bill (No. 2) was read a second time and referred to a select committee. A number of other matteis were postponed; among them the Otago Waste Lands Act and Goldfields Amendment Act.

In the House of .Representatives at 5 80 p.m. yesterday, The Treasurer moved that the House go into Committee on the Abolition Bill to consider the amendments in clauses 16 and 19, with the view of endowing Boards of Kiver Conservators in the same way as Road Boards and Municipalities. He also wished to add a new clause to t;tke place of clause 27, the object of which was that any powers to be exercised by Superintendents before the passing of the Act should only be exercised with the consent of the Governor in Council.

This led to a long and acrimonious discussion, Sir G. Grey bein,' strongly opposed to it, as he considered it a breach of the agreement come to between the Government and the Opposition. He wished it postponed till today to give them time to f\illy consider it. The Treasurer considered ten minutes' time enough to master the clause, which in no way affected the principle of the Bill, as it merely dealt with a matter of administration. Sir G. Grey said if this was not considered he would move for the recommittal of the Bill. 'lhe Treasurer did not wish to risk having to fight the Bill over again in committee; sooner than do that ho would abandon the clause altogether, and get the Bill parsed through committee as it wa3.

After considerable discussion Sir G. Grey's amendment—"That the Bill be recommitted generally"—was loi.t on the voices, and the Treasurer jot the Bill into committee, when his amendments regarding Boards of Kiver Conservators were passed. Then, on the motion of the Treasurer, progress was reported and the Bill made a first order of the day for to-day. The debate on the Qualification of Electors Bill was then resumed by Mr Andrew, Mr Mr White not being in his place when culled on. Mr Andrew strongly opposed the Bill, and no one else speaking, Mr Reynolds replied at considerable length to the principal arguments adduced against the Bill, all of which he controverted as frivolous and unsound, maintaining that the Bill was fair and equitable both as regarded jthe miners and the Natives.

A division was taken on the second reading and the Bill was ordered to be read that day six months by 28 to 20. The Debtors' and Creditors' Bill was brought on for committal, and was strongly opposed by Mr I ; ro\vn (Ashley) and Mr T. L. Shepherd, both of whom denounced the Bill as an incoherent, and unworkable measure. Mr Hunter moved the adjournment of the debate to Friday, the House being very thin at the time.

The Estimates Swere'then proceeded with, little or no opposition being experienced to the various items passed. All the postal items were postponed, but all the other items as far as, and mdusdv,; of the Marine Department were passed without alteration. ' When progress was reported the number of the iiako Swamp Committee was increased to eleven by the addition of Messrs Rolleston and baeehan s names. The House adjourned at 12.20.