GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 997, 5 September 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] [PEE PRESS AGENCY.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, September 4. The House met at 2.30 p.m. lotteries. Replying to Mr Button, Mr Bowen said the Government did not intend this year to bring in any Bill dealing with rallies and lotteries which were illegal under the English law. But the police, as in England, were instructed to warn publicans that racing and other lotteries were illegal. In England it w'as not customary to interfere with charitable lotteries. GEORGE JONES. Replying to Mr Murray, Mr Whitaker said that the prosecution of George Jones was in the hands of Mr Izard, the Crown prosecutor. If there were evidence sufficient to warrant committal here) Jones would be committed for trial in Dunedin. Both parties being here, it was felt desirable to have the preliminary investigation here. If necessary, the enquiry would be adjourned to Oamaru. SUPREME COURT, WELLINGTON. Replying to Mr Murray, Mr Bowen said it was intended to erect a new Supreme Court in Wellington. AUCKLAND ISLANDS, Replying to Mr Reynolds, Mr Reld said that if it was not soon shown that the lessee of the Auckland Islands had fulfilled the terms of his lease, it would be terminated and tenders called for a fresh lease. FREE RAILWAY PASSES. In reply to Mr Reynolds, Mr Ormond said he would make inquiries as to whether it was desirable to grant free passes on the Port Chalmers railway to the shipping officer, NEW BILLS. The following new Bills were introduced ; —Deceased Wife’s Sister Marriage Bill (Hodgkinson) ; Peninsida County Library Bill (Seaton) ; Akaroa Library Exchange Bill (Montgomery) ; Auckland Harbor Board Reclaimed Land Bill (Pole). THE LAND BILL. Mr Reid moved the second reading of the Land Bill. It had become necessary lo consolidate the land laws of the colony and to render them more easily comprehensible. He had frequent application from beyond the colony for information as to its land laws, but there was no book which could be sent them, and probably no member of the House knew exactly what all the land laws -were. The Government had now consolidated all the laws into one Act, while endeavoring to retain the features peculiar to each, and with which people were familiar. They had dealt with the matter tentatively, believing that it was better to gradually approach a uniform land law than to attempt suddenly to enforce it. One part dealt witli the appointment of Land Boards, which it was proposed to retain in the hands of the Government, as the House held the Government largely responsible for land administration. Experience had shown the desirability of appointing a district land office for receiving applications. Part turn dealt with the classification of lands. Tin’s would commend itself to the good sense of members. As to the desirability of laying off suburban lands in the neighborhood of new towns and villages, holders of land orders wore especially anxious j to obtain such lands on arrival. All such lands must be sold by auction. Regarding rural lands the distinctive features of each province’s land regulations were preserved. The Bill woidd extend the system of deferred payments to all parts of the colony. He thought this should have been part of the original Public Works Policy in order to settle people on the land. He had then striven unsuccessfully to get the Bill passed for that purpose. The system would be of enormous advantage in relieving the labor market of those who w'ould thus be enabled to retire from competition for employment and take up land for themselves. It would also be a great inducement to people at Home to emigrate. Regarding the provision lor taking up pastoral land on deferred payments, due care would be exercised in advising the Governor what land to open, and land which would otherwise remain unoccupied as containing only a small proportion of agricultural land would be settled and a class of yeomanry would be established. He believed it would act most beneficially in encouraging the profitable occupation of broken country He did not think the Bill conferred any undue advantage on the Canterbury ruuholders. Rightly or wioagly, the colony was committed to certain obligations in this matter which could not be evaded without a serious breach of faith. He quoted from the regulations ol 1856 to show this. A vested continuing interest was then created and recognised in subsequent regulations and Acts. „ The Government, however, had provided that full value for the lands, in way of fair rental, should be obtained, and even went so far as to determine all existing claims at the end of ten years. They proposed also to take such blocks as were required for deferred payments. Regarding the Otago runs, it was proposed to alter the law by enabling the Board to grant renewals for either more or less than ten years, as it thought proper. After one renewal, either in Canterbury or Otago, the runs would be dealt with on a

uniform plan as far as grazing privilege was concerned, but not interfering with free selection where it was at present legal. The Bill was read a second time without debate, in order that it might be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. THE EDUCATION BILL. In Committee the first six clauses were passed with slight alterations. The discussion was interrupted at 5.30 p.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, September 4. Replying to Mr Lahman’s questions, Dr. Pollen said the Government did not intend this session introducing a Bill to deal with lotteries and art unions. Dr, Pollen, replying to Mr Mantcll, said, late as it was in the session, he would introduce, if the hon. gentleman woidd assist him, a Bill to amend the Weights and Measures Act, 1868, and to extend its provisions so as to provide for the inspection of gas meters. The Kiiapoi Natives Reserves Bill was passed ■