GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1463, 24 October 1878, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[by special wire, per press agency.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wednesday, October 23,

In the Council to-day, the members of Parliament residing in and near Wellington were appointed, with the Chairman of the Joint House Committee, to bo the Committee during the recess.

The District Railways Act2Amendment was read a third time and passed. The Council then went into Committee, when the Timarn Harbor Hoard Bill, Christchurch Boys’ High School Bill (after considerable discussion on the second clause), and Oamaru Harbor Board Bill were reconsidered, amended, and reported. A message was received from the House of Representatives, insisting on their amendments in the Sheep Bill. The matter was referred to a free conference, to bo held to morrow. The Council adjourned at 5.30 till next day, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, October 23. NOTICES OF QUESTIONS AND MOTIONS. In the House to day, Mr McLean gave notice to ask the Government what action they propose ! to fake with reference to the letter of Messrs. Holt and McCarthy asking for the use of a special wire. He also gave notice to ask for a return of the amounts paid to newspapers for advertising; also to ask what steps the Government propose taking to place the evening journals of the colony on an equal footing with the morning journals in respect to Press telegrams. THE COLONIAL NAVAL OFFICERS. Mr Hobbs asked the Government whether it is true that the officers and crew of the Hinemoa have been ordered to wear uniform, and whether they are required to pay for the same outof tKeir own pockets, and, if so, if the same rule appli s to other departments of the public service of the colony. He said he had been informed that in many cases men on the Hinemoa received less than on coasting steamers by .£2 per month. The Premier replied taat no representations had been made to the Government on the subject. The regulations regarding the uniform were the same as in the Customs’ department. THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. Mr Swanson asked the Minister of Education whether ho will give instructions for the New Zealand National Anthem to be sung in tbc Government primary schools. Mr Ballance replied that the Government would communicate with the Education Boards and supply copies, the Education department bearing the expense. A proposition had been made by Mr Bracken of Dunedin. SOUTHLAND VOLUNTEERS. Mr Feldwick asked the Government if they will grant railway passes to the Southland Volunteers attending the Volunteer demonstration, to take place at Dunedin on the oth November, and as Mr Prondfoot {offers the use of the railway ho has under contract as far as the Kaituku, whether Minister for Public Works can grant the use of carriages to run over the same.

Mr Macandrew said the mouey would he refunded on voucher of the commanding officer. With regard to the second part of the question the Government would not interfere, as they did not know how far they might be implicated. RANGITIKEI COUNTY. Mr Fox asked the Government whether it is their intention to take any steps towards rectifying the boundaries of Rangitikei County, in accordance with the wishes of the Council. Mr Sheehan said the Government did nqt intend to alter the boundaries of this cognty or any other county during the, present session. RAILWAY WAGON COMPANY. Mr Richardson asked the Minister for Public Works whether any proposals have bceu made to the Government by a Railway Wagon Company, and if so, whether the Government made any agreement with it, or have held out any inducement to the company, or any persons connc ted with it, to proceed with tlr ir works. Mr Macandrew replied that proposals had been made to the Government. The correspondence was being copied, which would be laid on the table, and show the whole position. Mr Richardson desired to know whether the Government have made any agreement. Mir Macandrew—lt will be better to refer to the papers. They will show the exact position. protection op animals. Mr McMinn asked the. Government if it is their intention to introduce next session a Bill to amend the Protection of Animals Act, 187#. Mr Sheehan replied in the affirmative. SUSPENSION OP STANDING ORDERS. The Premier iqoved. without, notice—“ That all Standing Orders preventing Bills beingpassed through all stages at one sitting, and preventing such business being taken after half-past twelve, be su-peuded.” Sir R. Douglas objected, on the ground that the House was performing suffiiciently hard work already. Mr Richardson would resist the motion if the Government intended to pass the Railways Construction Bill in one sitting. Mr Montgomery thought it would be better to drop some Bills than rush tbd 'incisures through.

Mr Kelly said the best business of the House was done after nine o’clock. Mr Sutton said during the important debates at night many lion, members were asleep, as during the discussion on the Railways Construction Bill.

Mr J. C. Brown said the hon. number who last spoke was in the library reading during the greater part of tb ( e debate referred to. After discussion, the Premier gave notice of motion for to-morrow. ■ 1 EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENT.

The Education Act Amendment BiB) was discharged from the Order Paper,

BILLS ,N COAtIAITTEF. Thu Hon ,e w<jit into committee on the following Bills . —Waitaru Harbor, Thames High School, District Law Societies, Camara Market Deserve, Towns on Private Lands Regulation Bills. SPECIAL WIRE. Correspondence was laid on the table between the Telegraph Commissioner and Holt and McCirthy, which stated tbit the Government would grant them the u-e of a special wire on the same terms as granted to other papers connected with the combination, namely, for two years at iiiOOO per annum.

EVENING SITTING. TOWNS ON PRIVATE LANDS. At half-past seven, the House resumed; ip, committee on the Plans of Towns on Private Property Regulation Bill. Persistent attempts were, made no defeat the measure by divpiops on amendments, but without success. An amendment was made in the Bill reducing the maximum width of istreets from ninety-nine to sixty-six feet. After further continued obstruction to tlm Bill, and repeated motions that the chairman leave the chair, which were defeated by large majorities on divisions. Mr Wakefield denounced the Bill ns a trumpery measure which was impeding Bills of colonial importance. Mr Sheehan appealed to the hon. member in charge of tho Bill (Mr Thomson) to report with promptness and allow tho Railways Construction Bill to be proceeded with. Dr. Hodokinson expressed a hope that die lion, member would not yield to .. tyrannical minority, but would nail ucldfsto thc'mast. Several speaker*; .aged,'that should be reported, ..mi mhickincbd, the Bill as iuipiyi',',tic;.bL, while'others denounced the Opposition in being' maintained in the interests of laud owners, who proposed to out up their properties into allotmentu.

Mr Thomson, in reply, said ho was anxious to comply with the wishes of hon. members who had urged him to report progress, but seeing the large support he was receiving and the importance of the measure itself, he did not ted justified in acceding to the request. After the ten o’clock half-hour adjournment

a division took place on a motion for reporting progress, which was negatived by 22 to 21. This was immediately followed by another motion by Mr Stevens that the chairman leave the chair, and this was defeated on a division by 33 to 21).

Mr Thomson intimated that he would consider that his purpose was served if the second clause of the Bill were agreed to. Mr Turnbull remarked that this would be a waste of time as it would lead to no practical results.

Another division took place at 11.30 on the motion that the Chairman report progress, which was negatived by 33 to 32. Immediately after the result of the division had been reported, another motion was made, that the Chairman leave the chair.

After the doors were locked for the division, Mr Barff asked the Speaker’s ruling as to whether a member pecuniarily interested should be allowed to vote on this Bill.

The Speaker ruled that this was not a point of order.

The Committee divided : ayes, 35 ; noes, 3 4 The Bill was therefore shelved.

The following Bills, reported from Committee, were passed District Law Societies Bill and Uamaru Market Reserves Bill.