GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1078, 11 December 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[BY TELEGRAPH. PEB PRESS AGENCY.] THE PROROGATION. Wellington, December 10. Parliament was prorogued by Commission to-day until the 29th January. The commissioners were Sir John Richardson, Sir F. D. Bell, and the Hon. Colonel Whitmore. There was no speech, and the usual return of business done during the session was not laid before the House. All the Bills passed were assented to by message, except the Seamen and Shipping Bill, which was reserved for the Queen's assent. The attendance of members and the public was very small. Just before the formal prorogation, Sir George Grey advised the Governor to veto the Land Bill, which had not been sent up for the Governor's assent with other Bills. The Governor refused point blank to take sucn ay unconstitutional step ; the Government themselves having carried the Bill through both Houses without a hint, while Parliament was asstmbled, that they intended to prevent the Bill becoming law. [FROM A CORRESPONDENT OF TnE PRESS.] Wellington, December 10. Parliament was prorogued to-day by a commission consisting of Sir John Richardson, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, and Sir Francis Dillon Bell. No speech was delivered; rumor says because Sir George Grey and the Governor could not agree on a speech. Amendments were put into the Disqualification Bill by the Upper House which gave Mr Sheehan an opportunity of abandoning the Bill in the House, and he did so. Mr Bunny and Mr Rees can take appointments at their leisure. Hardly a member was left in town to-day.