GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1392, 1 August 1878, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, July 31. The Council met at 2 30. p.m. After the usual sessional committees had been appointed, and certain unimportant questions put to the Coloni J Secretary, ADDRESS IN REPLY. The Hon. Mr Buckley moved, formally, the address in reply. He spoke at some length, and a debate followed, in which Mr Hart, Sir F. I) Bell, and others took part. Sir F. D. Bell alluded, at length, to the Native question. He ascribed a large share of credit to Sir Donald McLean and Dr. Pollen. He thought the action of Rewi at the present time was in a great measure owing to Sir D. McLean’s and Dr. Pollen’s wise management. Colonel Whitmore, replying, took credit to the Government for the firm stand they had taken with regard to the prosecution of surveys of Native lands. VOLUNTEERS, On the subject of volunteers, in reply to Colonel Brett, Colonel Whitmore stated that he had paid attention to the subject, and could speak highly of the state of different corps, especially Artillery. Eleven 7-ton guns, costing £41,000, inclusive of placing, &c., had been ordered from England, and he felt sure the Artillery would be able to manage these. Ho would like to add before sitting down that on the first suspicion of war breaking out, Colonel Brett had volunteered his services very creditably. A NEW SCAB ACT.’ Col. Whitmore introduced a Bill to provide means for eradicating scab in sheep. This Sheep Act, 1878, will take effect on Ist January, 1879, but within Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, and Marlborough, certain sections do not come into force till 1881. Amongst these, section 21 enacts that if an owner has several flocks on the same run, and one is infected, lie will not be allowed to remove any sheep from his run for a period of three months after he h«s obtained from the Inspector a clean certificate. Section 23 is to the effect that all scabby sheep must be branded with letter S. Section 29 provides that no sheep may be driven through any infected run at the risk of penalties not exceeding £100; and 41 inflicts the same amount as a fine for driving infected sheep. NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY. Turning to the question of the New Zealand University, Colonel Whitmore thought there was room for enquiry. Considering the amount of money spent, he thought the system should be examined. He fully believed the result of the enquiry would bo satisfactory, and would serve to raise the tone of the University. The address in reply was put and agreed to without a division. The Council adjourned till to-morrow at the usual hour. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, July 31. The House mot at 2.30. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Reeves took the oath and his seat, introduced by Messrs Stout and J. C. Brown. A large’ number of petitions were presented. Mr Hubsthouse gave notice to move for the production of all correspondence in connection with the Taranaki triumphal arch. Mr Stout gave notice that he would ask leave to introduce several Bills. Mr Sheehan gave notice to ask leave to introduce a Licensing Bill. Upon fourteen days’ leave of absence being asked for Hone Nahe, Mr Fox asked for information with regard to the conduct of Nahe respecting the Aroha block, which was at least disloyalty to his colleagues. Last session they were told Nahe would render his best assistance towards the acquisition of the blocks, but instead of that, according to the newspapers and telegrams, Nahe was working might and main against the Government. Mr Sheehan explained that Nahe, in common with a number of members of hie tribe, was an owner of land ; but so far from opposing the Government in the matter, he assisted them all he could. Those whom he did oppose were the other claimants. In reply to Mr Fox, Mr Sheehan said a Bill for the suppression of lotteries and gambling was in print, and in

accordance with the wishes of Mr Fox, would be introduced in the Upper House. Mr Fox called the attention of the Government to the fact of Japanese Commissioners in Australia interesting themselves in endeavouring to establish a trade in wool. The Pbemigb said they had no information on the matter, but would make inquiries and communicate to the House. In reply to Mr Hunter, Mr Sheehan said, a temporary measure amending the Bankruptcy Laws would be introduced this session, and a more comprehensive one next session. Mr Babton was promised that all correspondence between the Mayor of Wellington, Commissioner Shearman, and himself would bo laid upon the table. Mr Ballance said, replying to Mr Johnston, that the Government had no intention to place a sum on the estimates as a grant in aid of Roman Catholic schools. Mr Johnston asked the Premier within what county was the Island of Kawau, and the amount of rates thereon last financial year. The Pbemieb referred the hon. member to a map of the North Island for the first part of his question, and as to the other information asked for, that would be found on the return called for by Mr Gisborne. Mr Woolcock asked if Government would this session introduce a Bill dealing with Maori reserves at Greymouth. Mr Sheehan said they had commenced to investigate the question, but had no intention of asking the House to sanction the sale of these reserves. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :—To Aro Reclamation Bill; Ellesmere and Forsyth Reclamation and Akaroa Railway Trust. Mr Gisboenb moved for a return of expenditure for the last eight years on free, assisted, and nominated immigration, also showing the amount of arrears, if any. The motion was adjourned till this day fortnight. Mr Gisboenb moved for a return of the quantity and value of articles imported into and exported from New Zealand during 1877; also returns regarding ad valorevi receipts during each year under the different heads, spirits, tobacco, tea, sugar, and ad valorem, etc. Agreed to. Mr Gisbobnk moved for a return showing at the end of March, 1878, all Borough Councils, County Councils, Road Boards, Harbor Boards, and River Boards ; the annual income and expenditure (distinguishing departmental from other expenditure) of each such local body, its sources of income, rateoge levied, amount of its liabilities, overdraft, outstanding loans, and total amount of loan authorised to raise. Also return of the extent and position of endowments of such local body together with the market value at present agreed to. The Speakeb here announced that His Excellency would be pleased to receive the address presented by the House at 3.30 tomorrow. Mr Woolcock moved for a return in detail showing the amount of Crown lands and present market value of same, that have been set aside for railways and harbors, also for local purposes connected with various 1 oral governing bodies, since 30th of June, 1877. Agreed to. Mr Woolcock moved for a return of the amount left in the Treasury due to members as honorarium from last session, together with the names of the gentlemen by whom it was left. The motion was agreed to. •Mr Wakefield moved for a return showing the names of public libraries which have received subsidies under the Public Libraties Act, 1877, and amount awarded to each. Agreed to. The Mercantile Law Further Amendment Bill was read a second time. It provides that bills of exchange may be validly accepted, if signed by the drawee. Mr Stoitt, in moving the second reading of the Trade Union Bill, said its object was to place Trades Unions on the same footing as in England, allowing them to register themselves, to hold property, and to act as corporate bodies, so long as they are not guilty of any unlawful act, combinations for the restraint of trade or for regulating the wages of men and masters or unknown workmen not being deemed unlawful. There was nothing in the Act that was not in the English Acts, upon which the present Bill was baaed. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. The clause of the address referring to finance was read by the Speaker, and consideration postponed till to-morrow, when an Imprest Supply Bill is expected to ha brought down. The House then adjourned till 2.30 tomorrow. PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS. [By Telegbaph] [feom thb cobbespondent of the peess.] Wellington, July 31. THE ADDEKSB IN EEPLY. The debate of last night on the address in reply was continued after the closing of the telegraph offices, by Mr Sheehan, who spoke with unusual vigor for an hour. He attacked Dr. Wallis and Mr Fox. In replying to what had been said with reference %o Ministers travelling round the country and enjoying themselves at the expense of the colony, he declared that to journey over bad roads in cold and wet, and often with insufficient provisions, appeared to him the reverse of pleasurable. Often, he added, had the discomfort of Sir G. Grey and himself been increased by reports of intended assassinations on the part of natives. But these never deterred them from performing the work before them. Mr Sheehan was followed by Takamoana, Major Atkinson, and Sir R. Douglas, and after Mr George’s motion had been put and carried, the House rose at 12. The address will bo presented to tne Governor by both Houses at 3.30 to-morrow afternoon. The Lower House met again this afternoon, but no business of any importance was transacted. Sir G. Grey was in his place, and looked less weak. In the Council, which met at 2.30, some slight discussion took place with reference to sessional committees. In the debate on the address in reply, Mr Buckley took a leading part while speaking as seconder. In speaking he is fond of using quotations, especially in Latin, which he pronounces incorrectly. With regard to Jackson’s Bay special settlement, it was stated to me to-day, on good authority, that the Government intend to send a steamer to take away the settlers. They are in a bad way, very much in debt to the Government for stores, &c., and complain that the place is altogether unsuitable for settlement. The House is not sitting to night, and there is nothing of interest to report.