GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1050, 8 November 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegbaph.] [peb pbes3 agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, Novembeb 7. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE COUNTIES ACT. In reply to Mr Fitzroy, Mr Sheehan said that a Bill to amend the defects in the Counties Act would be brought in this session. MB GISBOBNE. Mr Gisbobne, as a matter of personal explanation, stated that being ill yesterday he had given a written pair in favor of Major Atkinson's motion, and did not know why it had not been exercised. Mr Stout, on behalf of Mr J. C. Brown, said the Government had not refused to give j any pair. He was proceeding to explain j when the Speaker ruled that any reference in the House to pairs was irregular. NEW BILLS. New Bills introduced: Little River Cemetery Reserves Exchange Bill (Montfomery), Immigration and Public Works loan Bill (Larnach.) WANT OP CONFIDENCE. Mr Sheehan said the Government felt that the time now had arrived when party contests for the session must cease, and members were anxious to get home. The Government, proposed to give up to-day and tomorrow to private members to dispose of their work. The House would not sit on Friday or Saturday, but next week the Government hoped to get through all their business, so as to be able to prorogue early next week. Major Atkinson stated that he would tomorrow move that the House had no confidence in the Government. Mr Sheehan said the Government would not interrupt the course of ordinary business in consequence of this notice of motion, but would leave the onus of obstructing business on the other side. OTAGO BAILWAYS. On Mr Lumsden's motion a resolution was agreed to, recommending a survey of a railway line from Queenstown up Arrowtown, with a view to a further opening up the interior of the southern part of Otago. KAIKOURA CATTLE. On Mr Harper's motion, the Government were asked to give effect to a recommendation in reference to the withdrawal of the prohibition against the removal of cattle from the Kaikoura district. OBDEE OF BUSINESS. It was resolved, after to-morrow, that Thursday should bo a Government day for the remainder of the session. COAL BAILWAY. On a motion by Dr. Hodgkinson, Mr JjABNA.cs stated that during the recess the

Government would obtain a report regarding the desirability of extending the Riyerton and Otautau light railway for about sixteen miles northward, to the Nightcaps coal fields, the cost of the railway to be paid for out of adjacent lands, not to be sold till the railway be completed. After some discussion the motion was withdrawn. RKTTJHN. Mr Stevens's motion for a return of the securities held against the public trust funds was agreed to. SELLING- LIQTTOB TO NATIVES. Mr Sutton moved that Ordinance No. 3 of the year 1847, relating to the sale of liquors to Natives, should be reprinted and supplied to all license-holders in the colony. Captain Rr/SSELL would prefer to ropeal the Ordinance, and would bring in a Bill to do so. Mr Sheehan thought it would be impolitic to remove restrictions on the salo of liquor to Natives. He would like to see local option extended to the Natives, giving the Natives of each district power to exclude all intoxicating liquors from their own district. If possible he would introduce a Bill in this direction. After some slight discussion the motion for reprinting the Ordinance was agreed to. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, Nov. 7. The Hon. Col. Whitmore said that by the end of next week the Ministry would be in a position to advise His Excellency to prorogue. The Hon. Dr. Pollen remarked that, according to the signa of the times, neither himself nor his hon. friend could foretell future events. The Wyndham Eecreation Reserves Bill was read a first time. Several third readings and committals were ordered for to-morrow. The Domicile Bill passed. The Strath-Taieri and Clyde Railway Bill was read a first time.