GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1434, 20 September 1878, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, September 19. OTAGO EDUCATION DISTRICT. In the Council to day, Dr. Menzies moved for the legal opinions referred to in a letter from the Secretary of Education Department to the effect that the Government bad been advised that the Otago education district, mentioned in the Otago Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools Act, 1877, could only mean the Otago education district in existence at the date of passing of the Act. The mover thought it desirable that the Council should bo informed of the reasons which actuated the Government in overriding an express Act of the Legislature. Same debate followed, and on the suggestion of Dr. Pollen the motion was withdrawn in favor of referring the whole question to a Select Committee.

Dr Pollen spoke strongly on the wrong committed by Parliament in allowing reserves to be appropriated for particular districts which should be applied for the benefit of the whole country. WELLINGTON LOCAL BOARDS, The Wellington Local Boards Empowering Bill was read a second time on the motion of Colonel Whitmore, but it was understood that the Bill would bo so amended as not to give powers to these Boards different from those enjoyed by local bodies in other parts of the colony. THE INTERPRETATION BILL. The Council then wont into committee, when the Interpretation Bill was slightly amended and reported. DOG REGISTRATION. The Dog Registrat ion Bill was recommitted and a long discussion ensued on the 25th clause, giving power to destroy dogs running at large among sheep or cattle. The clause was amended and agreed to. BRANDS REGISTRATION BILLS. The Brands Registration Bill was then proceeded with, the 4th clause being lost on a division, by 16 to 18. The Colonial Secretary said the Government would abandon the Bill. EVENING SITTING. MISCELLANEOUS. At the evening sitting the Colonial Secretary withdrew his amendment, moved with a view to the abandonment of the Brands Bdl. Clauses 5,6, and 8 were postponed, and 18 struck out. The remaining clauses were passed with some amendment; the obligation to brand cattle being struck out, and obligatory branding confined to sheep. The Sheep Bill was slightly amended and reported, and the Administration Bill road a third time. The Council adjourned at 8 to admit of members attending the Assembly Ball. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, Sept. 19. The House met at 2 30. WAIKATO-TARANAKI LINE. Mr Ormond asked the Government whether the Maniopoto and native owners of the lands through which the proposed railway from Waikato to Taranaki would run have consented to the construction of that railway or have undertaken to give land to provide for its construction, and if so, will the Government lay before this House particulars of such promise or undertaking, Mr Sheehan did not think it desirable to give the House the information asked for. If he answered the question as he might answer, he thought it would have an unfavorable effect upon the negotiations now pending, which would probably last for years to come, VINCENT COUNTY CHARITIES. Correspondence is to be laid on the table between the Government and the chairman of Vincent County Council, respecting the future maintenance of charitable institutions. MAORI REPRESENTATIVES. Mr Tawhiti asked the Native Minister when he would introduce a Bill to increase the number of Maori representatives in the House ? Mr Sheehan said that if the Government proposals were not accepted, they would bring in a Bill to increase the number of Maori representatives. NOTICES OF MOTION. A number of notices of motion were given, among them being one for all particulars regarding the acceptance of the tender for the Tapanui railway. electoral bill. The House resumed in committee on the Electoral Bill. Clauses 38 and 39 passed as printed. Clause 40 was amended by the striking out the fee of Is to be paid by any person objec ing to any name on the roll. Clauses 41 to 111 inclusive passed without material amendment. At the hour of ad journment Mr Saunders was speaking in favor of his amendment proposing to retain public nominations from the hustings. EVENING SITTING. ELECTORAL BILL. The House resumed at 7.30. In committee, Mr Saunders’ amendment was put and negatived on division. Clauses 112 to 125 inclusive were passed with a few slight verbal amendments. On clause 126 (public houses to be closed on election day) along discussion ensued. The Attorney-General expressed his willingness to amend the clause, so as to limit publichousekeepers to the sale of liquor wholesale.

Many members maintained that it woul 1 be impossible to stop drinking on election d iys, and the clause could only have the effect of encouraging sly drinking and hypocrisy, and therefore should bo struck out.

The words “ by retail” were inserted on the voices.

It was then put that the clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill, upon which the House divided, the result being that the clause was struck out by 31 against 22. Clauses 128 to 131 inclusive, were passed unaltered. A good deal of discussion took place upon clause 135 (commencement and close of poll). Considerable objection was taken to keeping the poll open till eight in the evening, and an attempt was made to get the p 11 opened at eight in the morning, instead of nine, but it was negatived. Then the House divided as to whether the poll should close at six instead of eight, as in the Bill. The result was that eight was struck out by 36 against 20. Another division was taken as to whether “six” should be the hour, which was carried by 26 against 20. The clause then passed as amended. Clauses 136, 137, 138 passed unaltered. A good deal of discussion ensued upon clause 139 (question to be put to voter). The clause passed. Mr Saunders moved that clause 140 (declaration against bribery may bo demanded) bo struck out.

The clause was carried by 28 against 13. The House adjourned at ten minutes past ten, in consequence of the Governor’s ball. The committee will sit again to-morrow.