GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 738, 31 October 1876, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

(Per Press Agency .) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Monday, October 30. BILLS PASSED. The fohowing Bills have passed through all the stages:—The Otago and Wellington Tolls Bills, the Wellington Corporate Lands Bill; Sartoris, Downes, and others Claims Bill; Douglas’ Special Settlement, Auckland Beach road Grants Bill; Public Revenues Bill; Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Bill; and the Appropriation Bill. WASTE LANDS BILL. In committee on the Waste Lands Administration Bill, the Hon Dr Pollen read telegrams re Mr Broomhall’s proposals as to the settlement, and Hon Dr Pollen introduced a clause empowering the Government to sell to Mr Broomhall 100,000 acres, provided that the price be not less than the price of the waste lands in the districts in which such lands are situated. All clauses re deferred payments are struck out. PRIZE FIRING, The Defence Minister has decided that the next colonial prize firing shall take place at Hokitika. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, October 30. Sir G. Gbby asked the Government without notice, whether they would'prevent the Tauranga natives selling to officers of the native department and others, the reserves granted to them by himself many years ago. He understood they were selling them to officers of the native department, and would soon have none left at all. He wanted the question inquired into next session. The Premier would at once give the assurance that the land would not be purchased by the of the native department, but he could not give a general promise until he ascertained whether the natives had these reserves given them for sale. OPENING OF KAIMA. In reply to a question put by Mr Sheehan regarding the opening of Raima, the Premier said that Commissioner Brabant had been authorised to make the best arrangement he could for the settlement of the whole matter; further, the PostmasterGeneral would call in at Tauranga on his way up, and use his best endeavors in the direction desired. NOTICES. There were twenty-three notices of motion on paper which private members wished to proceed with, but the Premier said if they did so, it would be impossible to prorogue on Tuesday, there was so much for the clerks to get through. He moved the notices be all discharged, which was agreed to by 22 against 9. The House adjourned till 7.30, LAST NIGHT’S SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. SARTORIS AND DOWNES’ CLAIMS. In consequence of rumors that Mr Carrington was to receive 10 per cent commission on the amount awarded by the House in Sartoris and Downes’ claim, it was carried, on the motion of Sir G. Grey, that the amendments of the Legislative Council be disagreed with, which meant shelving the Bill to next session. The Premier said this was stultifying the action of the House. He moved for a conference in the matter, which was carried by 15 against 3, The Public Revenue Act came back from the Legislative Council without amendment. Also, the Appropriation Act and Immigration Public Works Acts. A message from the Council announced that they agreed with the report of the conference on Sartories, Downe, and other Claims Act. The Premier announced that the managers appointed to agree as to the reasons for disagreeing with the striking out of the last clause, had been unable to do so, and he was at loss what to do. The Speaker suggested that probably the appointment of another manager, so as to make the number odd, as usual, would overcome the difficulty. The Premier then moved that Mr Hunter be appointed another manager. Kir G. Grey objected. The Speaker suggested that new managers be appointed. The Premier then moved that Messrs Hunter, Pitzroy and himself be appointed managers. Mr Sheehan said this was a most unheard of proceeding, and he moved that Messrs J. 0. Brown, Tole, and W. Wood be managers. The debate was adjourned for a short time. The Waste Lands Administration Act, 1876 was brought down from the Legislative Council with amendments. The Premier said he would move these amendments be agreed to, and he did so with great regret, and only on account of the late period of the session. Clauses were struck out that would have been of very great use to the country. The whole of the deferred payments clauses were struck out, .-uid many others of a useful nature. It was only on account of the impossibility of keeping a House at so late a period that he agreed to it. Messrs Rowe, BurlT, and Wood condemned the action of the Council as calculated to have a most disastrous effect upon the colony. M t Wood said the colony would yet cry out from end to end for the abolition of the Legislative Council. The debate was adjourned for forty minutes. On resuming, the Premier moved —“ That this House disagree with the amendments in ihe Waste Lauds Administration Act, that Messrs Sheehan, Curtis, and himself be appointed managers to draw up reasons for disagreeing. Agreed to. After drawing up reasons they were appointed members of conference with the Legislative Council,

The House adjourned again. In the Municipal Corporations Act, the new clauses bringing the Act into operation by the Council by the Ist of January, were then agreed to. It was soon after announced that the Council had appointed managers to confer with the managers of the House of Representatives at 10,30 to-morrow. The House then adjourned till noon tomorrow. THIS DAY’S SITTING. The House met at noon. After transacting some ordinary business the report of the conference on the Waste Lands Administration Act wa brought up and read. The effect of it was to restore the provincial land laws on subject of deferred payments and special settlement, but to strike out of the Bill the clause relating to forest conservation only. The other point upon which there was any difficulty was the proviso in the 26th clause in reference to the Commissioners of Waste Lands Boards, and it was agreed that they should not be disqualified from sitting as members of the House. Messrs Rowe, Wood, Pyke, and Gray recorded their protest against the gross injustice inflicted upon the colony by the action of the Council,