GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1437, 24 September 1878, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[PBB PRESS AGENCY. J HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, September 23, The House met at 7.30. CONTRACTS ANTICIPATORY OF ESTIMATES. Mr Richardson gave notice that he would move that the Government should lot no contracts in future until after the estimates had passed the House, THE MOMAHAKI MURDER. He murder in Waitotara Elock, Mr Sheehan said lie believed it was a purely private murder, with no relation to the survey of the plains. Maori chiefs lately arrived in Wellington, owning land where the murder happened, had been astounded and horrified at the news of the crime. The chiefs had also appointed search parties by telegraph at once, and Mr Sheehan expected the murderer would bo arrested. Rewi telegraphed his regret, and wanted particulars describing the person of the murderer. The Government believed if the murderer went into the King Country, the first act of the Maoris there would be to give him up to the law. The criminal owned no land, and the surprise shown by the Native chiefs of the district, who were now in Wellington, was a convincing proof that it was unexpected and regretted by them. CUSTOM HOUSE REGULATIONS. Mr McFarlane asked the Government to substitute the Sydney Customs regulations for those in force in New Zealand. The Premier replied that the Government had the subject under consideration, and would inform tlic House of their decision in a few days. ELECTORAL BILL. In committee on the Electoral Bill, Mr Stevens proposed amendment on clause 7, that the House should fix the salaries of Registration and Returning Officers. The amendment was lost by 50 to 21. The schedules of the Electoral Bill were passed, and three new schedules added, and verbal amendments were made in several clauses. Clause 117 was amended to allow nominations to bo made by telegraph under the Telegraph Notices Act. The report on the Electoral Bill is to be considered on Thursday next. IMPREST SUPPLY. Mr Ballancb gave notice that he would ask for a further imprest supply to-morrow. Mr Richardson objected to further grants being placed in the hands of the Government without the control of the House. His resolution was made independently of other members, and was therefore not a vote of censure. He would move the resolution upon going into committee of supply to-morrow. SUPPLY. The House went into Committee of Supply. On the vote for lunatic asylums, Mr Fox said that half the inmates of lunatic asjlums were rendered insane through the effects of drink, and the same was trup of the gaols. The best way to reduce the cost of fioth gaols and asylums was to lessen the number of public houses. The vote of £30,202 for asylums passed. The vote, Agent-General’s department, £4OOO, passed. Inspection of machinery, £1791, passed. Mr Sutton moved that the sum of £3OO, appearing on the estimates for the appointment of a District Judge for Gisborne and Napier, be struck out as unnecessary, Mr Sheehan defended the appointment, because the increase of population had added to the number of cases. Both towps weye thriving places, Major Atkinson objected to such a largo vote being included under one head, as being contrary to the usual practice of the House. The Colonial Treasurer agreed to take a synopsis separately. Department of Justice, £1355, passed. Crown Law Officer, £2llO, was passed (?) The item Land Claim Office wap reduced from £350 to £250.