GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 714, 3 October 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

* (Per Press Agency.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, October 2. The House met at 2 30. LIGHTHOUSES. In reply to Mr Morris, Hon G. McLean said the Government intended to erect a lighthouse on East Cape Island, but they could not say when the work would be commenced. They could not go on with any new lighthouse until they had erected all those already ordered. HABBOB BILLS. On the motion for introducing the Napier Harbor Board Bill, Mr Bunny protected against the passing of sixteen Harbor Board Bills, especially when members had not an opportunity of considering them, inasmuch as so far as he could see, they were not printed. He objected to dealing in that way with Bills like these, which alienated the public estate and gave powers to borrow. If the Provincial Governments had been given the same borrowing powers a few years ago these very works would have been carried out by them The Premier explained that the Bill had been distributed long ago, and in any case, whatever became of the other Bills, this one at was of such a nature that it ought to be passed. Mr Rolleston thought, as those Bills were the direct outcome of the Abolition Bill, the Government ought to be answerable for all those Bills, and stand by them as a whole.

The Hon 0. 0. Bowen explained that what action had been taken in regard to bridging these Bills before the House bad been done at the wish of the House and with the view to facilitate business, but that each Bill would have to be judged by itself aud stand upon its own meriis. Mr B. Wood thought this was a cumbrous mode of legislation, and that Governmeut ought to have brought down one large Harborßoarde Bill, instead of allowing individual members to introduce different Bills, and let those who could, scramble through with their measures. lion G. MCLEAN said the Government had consider/*! the matter carefully, aud found that all things considered they selected the pro! er oour-e for this session at any rate. Tiny wj;.e consideijing a general HaTbor Botiid measure. Government had considered tba endowments thov were prepared to support, and would notify their views in committee. Sir G. Grey hoped the Government would bring down a list of the endowments they were prepared to support, j'• Hear, hear," from th« PgBMiEJB.J Mr Sharp advocated the withdrawal of all the Bills, but Mr Kowe strongly opposed this view.

The Bill was read a second time, and mdered to be committed on Thursday. On the motion for the second reading of the Castlepoint Harbor Bill, Mr Bunny again made a strong speech against going on with these Bills; but Hon G. McLean explained that the Government only sanctioned the second reading on condition that the endowment clause be struck out, and as the BUI contained no borrowing power, he hoped

no objection to its second reading would be taken.

The Bill was read a second time, to be committed on Thursday. The HaTbor Boards Bills for the following places were ordered to be read a second time and committed on Thursday next :—Napier, Castlepoint, Thames, Oamaru, Riverton, Bluff, Lyttelton, Timaru, Wanganui, Hokitika, Patea, Waimakariri, Moeraki, Wellington, Foxton ; and also the B Ileum ere and Forsyth reclamation, and Akarou Railway Bill. COUNTIES BILL. In committee on the Counties Bill, clauses 44 to 62 were passed without material alteration. On clause 62a (annual meeting for election of chairman), an amendment was made that the Council should fix the timw for the annual meeting, but it was lost by 33 to 15. The date of holding the annual meeting was altered from the third Wednesday in November to the fourth. The clause as amended, was passed by 29 to 18. The Speaker left the chair at 5.30. LAST MIGHT'S SITTING. From the time the House resumed till 1.30 this morning it was in committee on the Counties Bill. After a great deal of discussion, clause 62 (which depends upon the Financial Arrangements Bill, a measure not yet passed) was postponed. The House then got as far as clause 119 (appointment of auditors by Governor), which meeting with a great deal of opposition in favor of an independent audit, was passed. Clause 120 (regarding accounts) led to a good deal of discussion, a few holding that the system laid down was too complicated, but the majority thought the plan simple enough, and the clause passed as printed. It was decided, after a division, that the accounts should be balanced in March and September in each year. At clause 128, Sir G. Grey declined to proceed further, saying he was worn out, but the House resolved to go on by 28 to 10. After reaching clause 132, progress was reported.