THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3947, 19 October 1875, Page 2

THE GENERAL A SSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, October 19. In the Legislative Council on Saturday, the Hon. H. R. Russell made a statement in reference to the charges made against him by Mr Ormond. < Ho spoke at great length in ielation to the various charges arising out, cf the Heretnnga puichase, and out ot the movement commenc'd by the Natives for reviewing the disputed sales. The cxplanaiio . was of a verv minute character. He declared that never at any time during the struggle had he been influenced by auy desire oi hope of personal ga n, and wound up by imurming the House that he was determined to push the matter to riibirier end. Although leaving for England, he was making most _ complete arrangements, financial and otherwise, for carrying the matter to trial He Inut spent thousands of pounds wdiiont any security from the Natives, ami had never taken any mortgage to recoup law exp nses. He was determined to push tho case to a final conclusion, and to show in the highest Courts conclusively, upon oath and legal aivnments, who was right and who was wrong. The statement occupied over an hour, and was of v very exhaustive character, bn" it is impossible to give any precis of the details referred to by tile speaker. In ihe Douse of Representatives yesterday afteiu-on, at 2 30. Mr P-ke gave notice to move for another Goldfields member for Otago. The report of the Committee regarding the claims of early settlers was road ; but it did not recommend that their claims he enter taiued, Bir D. M‘Lean intimated that the Government hoped to be able to fix the prorogation for Wednesday, at 1 p.m, ; and with the object enabling members to get to their homes

without delay, steamers North and South—the Taupe and Hawea—would be detained till Wednesday afternoon. Mr Maoandrew ex reused a doubt as to whether the business would be got through if the ordinary sittings were continued, and a v ked if it were possible to d. tain the steamers till Thursday ; or, failing that, if the House would «it at 10 a.m. daily, to allow of the business being got through. Sir Donald ‘Lein roolb'd it was » ot possible to detain the steamers beyond Wednesday . Replying to Mr Pyke, Mr Bowen said the Government would take the opinions of the Judges as to the advisability of amending the law relating to false swearing iti Courts of Just ce. Mr Richardson answered a question of Mr Steward’s regarding ihe formation of tbs Waimate Branch Railway, and said that the contract for the formation of the main line was to he completed in April next, and the formation of the branch lino by the time the permanent lino was laid down. Also, that lie did not think it would bo advisable for Government io erect a bridge across the Waiho nt preaeut. In renly to Mr Thomson, the Government said the contract for toe cable was signed on the 24th June laat. and the cable was to be open not later than the 30ih A pril next. Also, that the contruot was already settled by the Act. Mr O’Conor asked if Government would take measures, during the rrcvss, to ensure to members an opportunity of having their speeches printed off as broadsheets at the Government Printing Office, if they required it. The Government promised to give consideration to the matter in the recess. In reply to a question, Major Atkinson said the .Supplementary estimates would be distributed shortly. The Government hoped to be able to pass the whole of the Estimates that night, and to-morrow they would bring down the Appropriation Act, and would be prepared at half-past seven to take any discussion upon the finance of the Colony. On the motion for leave to introduce a Bill to regulate the payment of the expenses of members while attending Parliament, Mr Macandrew ask-id why Major Atkiuson should bring in such a Mill at all, after managing so long without it. He would move that the Speaker leave the chair. Major Atkinson (said the Government were merely obeying the instructions of the House last session. The Government had no desire to press the Bill. Mr O’Conor hoped the House would not sbi k discussion of the question. Mr Reid would sooner revert to the former system, and pay members according to the length of tho session, vt embers should merely be paid so as to indemnify them in their expenses by making a certain allowance for the time members were employed. He hoped the Bill would be dropped If the Bid went into Committee, he would like to know whether the jovemment would adhere to the amount rated last session? Major Atkinson said they would. Sir George Grey considered the House had a right to expect a distinct statement upon so important a question. Major Atkinson said the Government were ready to state their opinions upon this or any other question, but in doing whut they did they were merely carrying out the recorded instructions of the House. Mr Filzheibsrt strongly approved of the payment of members. Mr Murray would sooner sec them recur to their old system, and pay according to the time occupied. Ho also thought more than fifty guineas ought to be struck off the honorarium of Wellington members. Sir Cracroft Wilson was opposed to the payment of honorariums in any shape, and had always been so, Mr Pyke said the hon. gentleman made it a practice of saying the same every session, though he carefully pocketed his cheque all the same. The first reading was lost on the voices, and the Bill was i in own out. In nmmUtee upon the Representation Bill, Mr Bowen moved the insert! n» in the second clause of the words “ eighty-three,” ins', cad of " eighty two.” Mr ’i onor wanted every district in the same position, us Wanganui, in regard to area and population, should be allowed an extra member. Jle moved there be eighty-five members. Mr Bunny moved that the Speaker leave the chair, so as to stop a discussion that threatened to be prolonged indefinitely. Sir George Grey thought that, after tin great injustice done to the North Island, trie discussion regarding an ‘extra member to tb«' I hames ought to be re-opened, otherwise the Bill ought to be allowed to fall hrough. Mr Harrington thought tho who’e question should be ref erred to a Committee representing both islands. Mi Wilson was in favor of adhering to eighty two members, Mr Fitzherbert protested against the question of representation of the Colony being imade a scramble of. He disagreed altogether with giving Wanganui another memb-r. The number of members was 'already sufficiently lai'ge. i he Bill had nothing to recommend it in auy shape. Mr O’Neil wanted to go on with tho Bill. H'e believed there was to be an effort to make this a party question, and throw out the Bill. Hehoped the House would not stand that. Mr Montgomery regretted any members being added to tho Bill, and, if auy more were added, he would not vote for the third reading. A division was taken on the amendment that the Chairman leave the chair, and lost by 43 to 19. Mr Bunny hoped tho division meant that tho Bill should be fairly discussed, and that members were prepared to remain there another ten days He intended to move for another member for Wanganui. The original amendment that eighty-three be substituted was then put, and lost by 34 against 25. Mr Sheehan moved that seventy-four be inserted, which was carried by 42 against 17. Mr Bowen then stated that the position of the case was that any member who had amendments to move could now do so. After these had been disposed of, the Government would ask that the Bill be reported with a view to recommit clause 2. Major Jackson then moved that a portion of Waikato be called the Electoral District of \\ aipu, and that it be allowed one member. A division was taken, but owing to some in stake Mr J. E Brown refused to sign the list as one of the tellers ; ana after a good deal of discussion tho division was taken over again, tho result bring that Mr Jackson’s amendment was carried by 20 against 25. The House rose at 5.40, On the House resuming at 7.30, A motion was put that Mr Jackson's new clause, giving another member to Waikato, be idled to the Bill. A division wos called, and the clause was carried by 23 to 20, Mr ai.troa moved for a new clause giving a Native member to Waipu (Waikato), hut it was negatived, after considerable dTcussiou, by 39 to 22. Mr W. Kelly then tried to move that Gisborne be added to Napier, and that another member be granted to the new district, but tie was ruled out of order by the Chub man. Considering the amendment as being identical with Mr Keby’s amen linent regarding tho oatbern East Coast district, the Government opposed it, and the motion was lost by 35 against i 7. Mr Stafford see.-coded in gecting Tinmni divided into two electoral districts. Mr M’GJashan ibtaiued an alteration in the boundary of Roslyn district. Mr Sheehan object'd strongly to Taranaki havmg throe members, while the Thames had only two, and moved that New Plymouth, and Grey, and Bell electoral districts lie abolished, and one district, to be called I'aruuaki district, be constituted, with one member. The mot on wa. rej.-c'ed by 41 to 17. Mr M‘Gillivray was defeated on the voices on endeavoring to alter Riven on district, by ■uking in the Orepuki Gold fields. Mr Sheehan moved that the southern part of ho Thames be constituted a new electoral district, and that a new member be added to it. Sir George Grey strongly supported this, raying the North was treated badly in the way of repr smtition, Mr Cutfaberison made a vigorous reply, pointing out that, taking all the constituencio*

together, the North returned a member for •very 8,330, while the South Island returned only one for every 3,750. tin the motion of Mr O’Conor, an alteration was made in the boundaries of the Buller, and the '\eefton Bill was reported with amendments. The second clause was then amended so as to provide for eighty-four members instead of seventy-four, as voted shortly before, and the Bill was passed after some discussion. , The following Bills were passed :—‘ eg ; stra tion of Electors Act Amenduient Bill, Disqualificat'on Act Amendment Bill. Confiscated Lands Administration Bill, Supreme Court* Bill. It is understood that Sir George Grey, Messrs Macandrew, Rolleston, Fitzherbwt, and Bunny will leave for Dunedin to-morrow afternoon. The House will not be prorogued till Thursday.