GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1461, 22 October 1878, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[BY SPECIAL WIRE, PER PRESS AGENCY.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Monday, October 21. In the Council to-day, the Local Bills Committee instructed not to proceed with the examination of any Bill which shall either be opposed by them or shall contain provisions affecting matters on which general statutes are in existence, or which are calculated to entail much debate, but to report every such Bill immediately to the Council The Fencing, Disqualification, and Public Be serves Sale Bids were read a third time aud passed. The eccond reading of the Public Revenues Bill was moved by Colonel Whitmore, and agreed to after a short debate. The Mount Cook Reserve Sale Bill was also read a second time ELECTORAL BILL. The Council then went into committee on the Electoral Bill. There was a long discussion on a motion by Mr Wnterhou'e, with the view of altering clause 147 in the direction of the representation of minorities. The motion was carried by eighteen to thirteen. The remaining clauses passed without material amendment, and the committee took up the postponed clauses, which were under discussion at the adjournment hour. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, October 21. a tobacco-hating legislator. In the House to-day, Mr Tole gave notice of motion to ask the Government whether they will prevent smoking in the library, and provide suitable accommodation for the purpose in another part of the premises. working men's train. To-day, Mr BARTON presented a petition in favor of running a special working men's train to Petone and the Hntt at reduced rates. THE CHARGES AGAINST THE JUDGES. Sir R. Douglas gave notice to ask MiBarton whether in the event of his charges against the judges being proved to be false, he should not bo debarred from practice. ADULTERATED LIQUORS. Mr REEVES asked the Government if thoy will during the recess frame a Bill for the more effectual suppression of the sale of adulterated liquors, aid punish the vendors of such liquors. He presumed the Government would give a favorable answer to this question. The present Act was a dead letter, and the Government should frame a Bill during the recess to put an end to one of the most abominable practices existing in the country. Mr Sheehan said if the law now existing was not sufficient the Government would introduce a Bill next session. His impression was that the existing law was sufficient if properly enforced. TORY CHANNEL LIGHTS. Mr RasEVES asked the Commissioner of Customs if it is his intention to have leading signal lights placea at the entrance of Tory Channel. He looked upon this as one of tho most dangerous parts of the coast. Signal lights had been ordered by Mr Reynolds, when in the Ministry, but were lying in store and had never been utilised. The cost of keeping the lights burning would be small, and would be a great benefit to traffic on that part of the coast of Zealand. The Premier siid the Government would take the matter into consideration, and give an answer during the recess. THE WAIMATE PLAINS. Mr Barton the Minister of lands—(l) When the land being surveyed at Waimate plains in Taranaki will be sold. ( - J ) Whether the sale will take place at New Plymouth, Wangunui, or Wellington ? (3.) Whether any of tho land is intended to bo thrown open on the deferred payment system. (4.) Whether, if put up to auction, all purchase money will have to be paid at once, or in what manner. Mr Sheehan replied that it was rather difficult to t 11 the precise state of the surveys. Six parties of surveyors were at work. A large area was being surveyed and subdivided, and could be brought into the market at once. But the Government thought it better not to sell until the surveys word completed The sale would take placn early next year. It was not settled whether tho sale will take place in Wellington or Wanpanui, but tor choice the Government preferred Wanganui as tho most central. Laud on the deferred payment system would be sold both in Waimate plains and Waitotara. In case the lands wore put up at auction, a deposit would be required, and at tho end of one month the remainder must be paid. REPORTED NATIVE DISTURBANCE. Mr Sheehan said with l-eference to the reported disturbance on the East Coast, in which two Natives were said to have been killed, he was in receipt of authentic information that no persons wore killed. A conflict had taken place about a small piece of land. The fighting party consisted of nine men in one and ten in the other, at a safe distance from each other. The di-r turbanco was a mere attempt to induce him to visit the district and spend money, which hewould not do until tho powder was exhausted. SECOND READING. The Rating Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. WHAKATANE GRANTS. On the question that the Wkakatanc Grants Validation Bill be committed, Mr Rolleston expressed regret that the Native Minister had not adopted the principle of putting up Native reserves for sale by public tender or auction " The system of disposing of lands by Orders in Council was likely to lead to abuses. Confiscated lands should bo placed on the same footing as waste lands of the Crown. The time was coming when they must revert absolutely and exclusively to the pre-emptive right of the Crown, or absolute free trade in Native lands. With reserves made absolutely inalienable!, or only alienable by tho House in the most public maimer. The Premier expressed concurrence in these views. He hod been anxious to bring Native lauds under some fair system, but the Government bad to contend againut " meet powerful inter st in the country. The Government would give the whole subject their consideration, and endeavour to give effect to the principles recommended. Sir R. Douglas .said it was in evidence that one Minister had an interest in stock on the Whakatane lands, ftr which those grants were issued. The Premier said no member had any interest beyond enabling a person to start in life. Sir R. Douglas contended that Colonel Whitmore had admitted in evidence he had stock running on the lands, and it was currently stated that Captain Swiudley, owner of the land, W'M Colonel Whitmore's partner. Mr BoLLESTON said that Colonel Whitmore admitted to the committee that ho had advanced money on the land to Captain Swiudley, and had stock running on tho land. Mr McLean accu-od the Government of illegally issuing Crown grants, and moved the postponement of tho committal until the evidence taken in ComiiitteeQu the Bill be printed. Mr MacFARLANE said the Bill was introduced to validate grants issued by tho late Government.

Mr Sheehan said application for grants was made in 1866, The Government would undertake tho leases should not exceed twenty-one years, also that the lands should bo offered by auction or public tender. The Premier challenged any member of the House who believed he had committed any illegal act to move for a committee of inquiry. The result would be to shew that he (the Premier), hal no knowledge of these matters. Mr Sheehan consented to the adjournment of tho debate until Tuesday, which was agreed to. CEMETERIES MANAGEMENT. The House went into committee on the Cemeteries Management Amendment Bill. Clause 4 was amended by the insertion of the words "at the instance of tho local body or bodies concerned," after ''May" in the sixth lino, so as to render the placing of portions of cemeterips apart for burial of bodies of poor persons dependent upon the consent of local bodies. A further amendment was inserted exempting the Jewish cemetery, Auckland, from being closed. Mr Tole moved that the Catholic cemetery, Auckland, be exempted, which was negatived on division by 15 to 27. RATING ACT AMENDMENT. There was considerable discussion in committee on tho Bating Act Amendment Bill. Mr Hodgkinson moved that the chairman leave the chair. The discussion was interrupted by the halfpast five adjournment.