GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 403, 27 September 1875, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(By Electric Telegraph.)

(From a correspondent of the Press.') LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, September 24. The Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. NOTICE. The Hon Dr Pollen has given notice of his intention to move for leave to bring in a Bill intituled an Act to provide that apprentices may be bound, taught, and instructed in certain arts and trades oonnected with the service of the Government of the colony. STEAMER TO FIJI. When the subsidy paid to the steamer that trade between this colony and Fiji comes on, it will be proposed that the vessel should not come down the coast as heretofore. IMPREST SUPPLY BILL. On the occasion of the reading of the Imprest Supply Bill, Hon Mr Waterhouse entered upon the financial statement at some length. He began by referring to the statement made in the early part of the session by the Premier, to the effect that the discussion in which he had taken a leading part in that Council in 1873 as to the financial position of the colony, had proved injurious to the credit of the colony at home. Hon Mr Waterhouse denied this, and showed that the statements made by himself and the Hon Mr Sewell in 1873, and combatted and denied by the Hon Dr Pollen and the Hon Mr Campbell, had turned out actually correct, and that their calculation of the authorised indebtedness of the colony had been rather under than over the mark. Mr Waterhouse then proceeded to criticise the figures of the financial statement, pronouncing them illusory and unreliable. Hon Mr Bonar defended the Treasurer a statement, and the Hon Dr Pollen said he was taken by surprise at the discussion, and would take another opportunity of replying to Mr Waterhouse’s criticisms.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, September 24. The House resumed at 7.30. marriage act. On the second reading of the Marriage Act Amendment Bill, Mr Luckie moved the reduction from three guineas to one guinea. Mr Williams caused some laughter by enquiring whether it was intended that these fees should be localised. The Minister of Justice expressed an opinion that the Marriage Act should be revised, and that it should be made com* pulsory on all persons about to be married to undergo a civil contract, leaving it optional upon them to have the religious part of the ceremony performed for conscience 1 Mr Rolleston strongly opposed the view taken by the last speaker. evidence act amendment. On the second reading of the Evidence Act Amendment Bill, The Minister op Justice explained that the objects of the measure were to allow both husbands and wives in a breach of promise case, or divorce proceedings, or assault cases, to give evidence, and to allow persons of no belief to give evidence on making a declaration, which, if proved to be false, would subject them to be punished for perjury. IN committee. Progress was made with the following Bills through committee Municipal Corporations Act Amendment and Railways Bill. bills passed. The following T>ills have passed :—Registration of Births and Deaths Marriage Act Amendment, Marine Act Amendment, Wellington Toll Gate Act Amendment and Highway Board Empowering Bill (No 2); Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill passed with the addition of a new clause, making owners liable for keeping private streets in repair.