THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3941, 12 October 1875, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Tkligram.] Wilunqton, Ootebtr 12. The Houm met at 2.30 p.m. yesterday, Mr Luckie a;ave notioe to ask whether the Government would relax the charges on Press U egrams received during the day, to as to allow of 600 words being Bunt at evening rates, f he Tairua Committee's repo't was read to the House. It appeared from the report that i/Halloi-an and (Jriiipen were clerks of James Mackay, aiiu rec»iv«d a bhare iu a claim from one of the parties to the suit upon whioh MLckay was to decide, and that O'Halloran admitted that he subsequently receive-l LBOO for his half share. The «hare had originally been offered to Maokay, but he declined it on account of being a Government officer. Maokay denied having any inteiest whatever in the claim. The Committee thought that the aation oa the whole was very improper with regard to the purchase of land at Tairua. The Committee considered Maokay occupied a very anomalous position, inasmuoh as his two clerks were necessarily acquainted with all the land purohase arrangements of Government, and that as they were in a position to possess themselves of every iuformation at the disposal of the Uoverum nt, and as they were not under the contiol of the Government in any way, their position was p culiar and mast unsatisfactory, aud that legislation would be required to remove such an anomaly. In reply to Mr Steward, Mr Reynolds said the Government did not consider it advisable to erect a custom house at Oaraaru at present, nor until Bueh time as the harbor works were further advanced and the railway in working order In the meantime, tnangements were being made by which 2Gft of the railway station would be placed at the disposal of the Customs Department. Mr Thomson obtaiued leav* to introduce a Sill providing that all persons who puichase ative lands shall, in addition to the price pmd to Natives, also so much «n acre to one State previous to the issue of the Crown grant. It was read a first time, and ihe second reading fixed for Wednesday. Tho imbecile i 'as .enters Act was read a -"Oo ,<i time, and cinmitud lor to tnor ow. ■ he Stamp L'uties Act was passed. Th-- Inver oargill i J ubho Umobs Site Bill, on the motion of tta Htm* Mr Kfetar<toi>> wm md a stoomi

thnt, an 4!•to b« committed tomorrow. Tha Goldfields Amendment Act, No. 3 (« pollution ef rivers), the same as on* passed this session by both Houses, with the exception that all expenditure incident to the working of the 4.ct shall be charged on goldfields revenue in place of land revenue, went through committee with a slight amendment, it was read a third time and passed. The New Zealand University Bill, i» committee, was reported to the House with unim portaot amendments, and read a third time. The went into committee on the Immigration and Public Woika Acts Amendment Bill. Mr Shepherd said that the main principle of the Bill was of so much importance that, although he would have preferred the charges being made on land revenue, he would not objeot to the change, as the Council had expressed their determination not to pass the Bill unless they were so made. Tuapeka would prefer that the Bill was shelved for this session. Mr Reid was speaking up to 5.30, when the House rose. On the House resuming at 7.30, In Committee on the San Mail Service Major Atkinson moved as an amendment on Mr Reynolds's resolution that the words "approved of and" in thw first line be •truck out. The Government deemed it'advisable to make some modifications in the resolution, but at the same time it must be clear to everyone that the contract having been entered upon should be ratified. What Sir J. Vogel had done must be regarded as the action of the Government, and the original letter in which the terms of the contract were stated would have been laid before Parliament if it had not been for the hurry and bustle of the closing of the session last year. There had been no attempt to encroach upon the authority of Parliament, although he could not defend what had been a great oversight. This »meadment met with considerable opposition, but was carried on the voices. Major Atkinson then proposed the following aew clause: —" That in the opinion of the House the annual charge imposed on the revenue of New Zealand for a mail steam service ought not to exceed L 40.000, and that it is the duty of the Government immediately to enter into negotiations to procure such a modification of the terras and conditions of the contract as, subject to future ratification by the House, will effect that object." Ms Reeves moved —" That whilst the House disapproves of the action of the Government in Authorising Mr Kussell to offer, without the knowledge or sanction < f the Mouse, L 450.000, in the face of the fact that the maximum sum authorised was only L24Q,000, and that it is by suoh action calculated to diminish its control over the public expenditure, it further expresses the opinion that the contract should be concluded in accordance with the tarrus already authorised by the Hevse." This led to a long discussion, after which Mr J. E. Brown moved—"That this Committee disapproves of the Government's authorising Mr Russell to put the Colony to an expenditure for a Californian steam mail service in excess of the amount authorised by a resolution of the House, and that it will ratify any contract involving no greater sum per anaum than L 40,600 for six years." The original resolution was put and carried by 46 against 18. Mr Macandrew then moved—" Provided that the terms ef the said contract shall be so modified as to comply with the conditions sanctioned by the Hou»e in the previous session, that is to say that the term shall not exceed six years and the cost not exceed L 40.000, and that the outward route shall proceed through to San Francisco calling at Port Chalmers, Wellington, and Auckland." After discussion, the proviso was lost by 18 to 46. Mr J. E. Brown then moved—" That the committee express its disapproval ef the Government's having authorised Mr Russell to put the House' to an expenditure in excess of the amount author sed by a resolution of that House." This was negatived by 39 to 21. After another amendment by Mr White, the addition proposed by Major Atkinson was carried b 30 to 24, and the debate concluded at two o'clock. Major Atkinson moved for leave to introduce the Parliamentary Privilege Act. Its second reading was vigorously opposed by Messrs Macandrew, Reid, Pyke, and G. M'Lean. In committee Mr Reid again objected, wished to insert a clause making the Bill have ne effect after the prorogation of this Parliament, and spoke at great length. The House objected and the Bill passed without amendment. The House then adjourned till to-night at 7.80.