GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1072, 4 December 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph/} lpeh peess agency.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Monday, December 3. Replying to the Hon. Mr Pharazyn, Colonel Whitmore said the G-overnment could not undertake to grant compensation to settlers in the North Island for losses sustained during the last Native rebellion. Sir F. Dillon Bell moved to have his name discharged from the Waste Lands Committee j but this was negatived on the voices. The other business was of little significance. HOUSE OF EEPEESENTATIYES. Monday, December 3. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Public Revenues Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Sir George Grey. Ten days' leave of absence was granted to Dr. Wallis and Mr Reader Wood. In reply to Dr Henry, Mr Sheehan said inquiries were being made, and, if found necessary, £3OO would be granted to supplement the water supply at the Lyell. Replying to Mr Thomson, Mr Sheehan said the railway line and bridge to Balclutha would be opened in the end of December. The Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works Property Vesting Bill (Sheehan) was read a first time. In reply to Captain Morris, Mr MAOAndbew said Crown Grants for the military settlers of Ormond were in preparation., WASTE LANDS SALE BILL. The Waste Lands Sale Bill was read a second time without debate, but on division of 30 to 26. Mr Curtis asked if the Bill would not have to go before the Waste Lands Committee. The Speaker said it would, according to Standing Orders. Mr Sheehan suggested that the House might suspend Standing Orders in this, as the Council had in regard to the other Waste Lands Bill. Major Atkinson said he would oppose these Bills being hurried on until the Government gave a full explanation of their policy and showed how their proposals would affect the finances of the country. If they gave a satisfactory explanation the Opposition would offer no obstruction, but the opinion prevailed that Ministers knew nothiug either of the finances of the colony or of their own measures, and until satisfied on these points the Opposition would use every means to oppose those measures. He moved the adjournment of the House. Mr Stout supported the adjournment until the Land Bill were reported on, as unless it passed there waß no good in going on with the Financial Arrangements Bill. Mr McLean quoted from "Hansard" to show how the present supporters of the Waste Lands Bill had last year opposed the proposal to raise the price of land. They were now making far worse proposals. Sir G. Gbey suggested that the House should adjourn till 7JSO, and that the Waste Lund Committee should meet in the meantime. Mr ShAep supported this suggestion. Major Atkinson said he did not wish the Bill to go before the Waste Land Committee. If the Government would give an explanation of their policy on the Financial Arrungemcnts Bill ha would then assist them to suopend standing orders. The Speaker said the Bill was referred to the Waste Lands Committee by consent of the House. He would leave the chair till 7.30, and cause the Waste Lands Committee to meet in the interim. The House then rose The following was the division on the f eeond reading of the Waetfe Lands Bill :«•»

For—3o: Baigent, Ballance, Barff, Brown (Tuapeka), Bryce, Bunny, Carrington, Delautour, Dignan, Fisher, Gisborne, Hamlin, Hislop, Kelly, Maoandrew, McFarlane, Montgomery, Nahe, Eees, Eowe, Sharp, Sheehan, Shrimski, Stout, Swanson, Taiaroa, Thomson, Tole, Wood (Mataura), Woolcock. Against—26 : Atkinson, Beetham, Bowen, Harris, Curtis, Fitzroy, Fox, G-ibbs, Hunter, Hursthouse, Johnston, Lumsden, McLean, Moorbouse, Ormond, Eeid, Eichardson, Eolleston, Eussell, Seymour, Stevens, Sutton, Tawiti, Teschemaker, Wason, Williams. Evening Sitting.

The Waste Lands Committee have reported the Lands Sale Bill unaltered, as being a measure of policy. This result was only arrived at after a warm discussion.