GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1073, 5 December 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

♦- [By Teleghaph.] [PEB PBESS AGENCY.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, December 4. THE COEBESPONDENCE ON COLONIAL DEFENCES, Some discussion took place as to the correspondence between the Governor and Ministers in relation to the visit of Sir Win. Jervois and Colonel Scratchley, and the general tone of the feeling seemed to be that scant courtesy had been shown either to our Governor or Sir Win. Jervois. Colonel Brett gave notice for next sitting day that he should move the consideration of the message, and Mr Hall gave notice that next sitting day he would ask the Colonial Secretary on what important services the Hinemoa was to be used during the month of January—so important that Sir Wm. Jervois could not have the use of her for the purpose of visiting the different ports of the colony. The Native Land Act Amendment Bill passed. There were several second readings. HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, Deceaibeb 4, The House met at 2.30. NEAV BILLS. Hutt County odices Site Bill (Sheehan), Middle Island Half-caste Crown Grants Bill (Sheehan), Rating Act Amendment Bill (Sheehan), Counties Act Amendment Bill (Sheehan). WASTE LANDS LULL. The House went into committee on the Waste Lands Bill. The term “wastelands” was changed to “ Crown lands.” Mr Bums don moved to strike out all of clause 4 after the word “situated.” This would excise all about the price of land being £2 an acre by free selection, and £1 by auction. This was supported by Mr Bowen, Major Atkinson, Messrs McLean, Sutton, Seymour, Sir R. Douglas, Messrs Reid, Ormond, Wason, Rolleston, Manders, Gibbs, Kennedy, and Woolcock, and opposed by Messrs Stout, Shrimski, Bees, Joyce, Macandrew, and Gisborne. Mr Rowe and Captain Morris condemned raising the price of land, but opposed the amendment, as the Bill was only a temporary measure. On a division, Mr Lumsden’s amendment was lost by 34 to 2d. An amendment by Mr Stout was agreed to, providing that where land lias been offered at auction, but not sold, it shall be open for sale by free selection by proclamation of the Governor at £1 per acre. Clause 6 was struck out as unnecessary. The remaining clauses passed without material alteration. A now clause, proposed by Mr Montgomery, to abolish the homestead system in Auckland and Westland, was lost by 31 to 6.