GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1468, 30 October 1878, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[special wire from press agency.J

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Tuesday, October 29.

In the Council to-day, before proceeding to business, Mr Waterhouse called attention to an incorrect report of the proceedings of the conference on Saturday which appeared in the " Lyttelton Times." He considered that members of Parliament should remember that they were gentlemen first and partisans afterwards, and should not fuiiiish t-.ucurejior.tti. Other members sp >ko to the same effect.

Colonel Whitmore said it was not possible any of his colleagues could have used the language attributed to him in the report, viz.— " That the House would find it necessary to review the constitution of the Council." Tho matter then dropped. SirD, Belt-, moved—" That it was desirable that the subject of educational roaerves should be brought under the consideration of Parliament, and that a report should bo prepared ou the subject by the Minister of Lands and Education, giving exhaustive information for the next session." The motion was agreed to. Mr Hall moved for a return of sheep and iiheopowners, &c, which was agreed to. Some Bills Were brought up from the House of representatives, and read a first time, The Christchurch Keserves Bill was read a third time and passed. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION BILL. The debate on tho Railway Construction Bill was resumed. " The AcTiNu-StEAio,it rr.lod thai the measure whs not an Appropriation Bill. After a few remarks from Mr MiLLEE, C6lonel Wuitmoke replied. A division was then taken on Mr Waterhouse's amendment, when the votej were-for amendment, 15; against, 17. The Bil] was read a second time. r J he second reading of the Public Works Act Amendment Bill was moved by Colonel Whitmore. . . Mr Waterhouse said the simple principle of the Bill was to give tho Minister of Public Works power to do as might seem right in big own eyea. If the measure passed, Mr Macandrcw would be far and away tho greatest man in New Zealand. Ho critic! ed the B 11 at length, in I be direction of showing the correctness of hi-i st'.toment, and concluded by moving that the Bill he read a second time that day six months, tir I). Bkll followed, also dwelling on the enormom po\v«r given by the Bill to tho Minister for Public Works. Mr Wateehouse, withdrew his amendment.

Colonel Whitmore admitted that the Bill was hurriedly drawn. He would further explain it next day. Messrs Hall and Buckley followed. The latter said that, although the amendment had been withdrawn, he thought the Council should express its opinion on so monstrous a measure. Captain Fraser supported the second reading, and Mr Menzies thought the Bill should be withdrawn. Colonei Whitmore replied, and the Bill was read a second time on the voices. EVENING PITTING. The Special Powers and Contracts and Native Land Purchase Bills were read a second time, and the Council went into Committee. Progress was reported on the Thames Water Supply Bill, without leave to sit again, which throws the Bill out. In Committee on the Railway Construction Bill, Mr Waterhouse moved that clause 2 be struck out. This was opposed by Colonel Whitmore, who sa d it would be equivalent to throwing out the Bill. A long discussion followed, and on division, the clause was ret lined by 17 to 10. On clause 3, Fir Dillon Bell moved a proviso, making it necessary that surveys and details should be laid before Parliament before any line was proceeded with. Clause 5 was slightly amended, and the remaining clauses passed as printed. A new clause was added, on the motion of Captain Fraser, to the effect that when any land should be taken for railway purposes, the Government should not acquire the right to minerals. Mr Buckley moved that the WellingtonFoxton line be struck out of the schedule. A motion to report progress was then agreed to, and the Council adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, October 29. direct steam service. In the House to-day, Mr Macandrew gave notice of the following motion : —" That a direct monthly steam service between New Zealand and the mother country would be highly advantageous to both countries, and that the Uovernment be authorised to enter into arrangements for establishing such a service, subject to the following general conditions :—(1) The vessels to be of such draught of water as shall enable them to enter the principal ports in the colony. (2) The contract time between the final port of departure and first of arrival not to exceed days. (3 ) The Government to guarantee to the ship a thousand statute adults, by each inward monthly trip during a period of five years from the commencement of the line, and to pay by way of subsidy a sum not exceeding annually during the same period. EUROPE AND THE NATIVE SQUABBLES. Mr Sheehan announced that it would be satisfactory for the House to learn that in view of the critical position of European affairs it was not likely any internal disorder would arise. The Waiapu pah was abandoned. WAGON COMPANY. Mr Macfarlane asked the Government if they will grant to an Auckland Wagon Company the same concessions as those given to the Otago Wagon Company. Mr Macandrew replied that the Government would be glad to make such a concession. H e would lay a return on the t ible indi ating the contracts en ered upon*. He would be glad to make any proper concession to Auckland. THE INTERCOASTAL RAILWAY. Mr Eeeves asked the Minister for Public Works it, during the recess, and before the final intercoastal line is determined on between Brunuerton and Amberley, he will cause a trial survey to be made from Ahaura to Reef ton, and from thence to Waianui via Knhu River, Maruia Plains. Henry and Dillon Rivers. The Minister of Justice said the line had been surveyed, with the exception of about thirty miles. Mr Beetham asked the Minister for Immigration what number of immigrants have already left England boii'.d for the port of Wellington, Hid if he will instruct the Agent-General to forward 50J additional emigrants, in addition to those already mentioned in his memorandum of 30th March, 1878. Mr M'.candrew repl'ed that eight hundred we-e ordered, but the Government did not feel justified in increasing the number. municipal corporations. The House wont into committee on the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill. The following clause was added on the motion of Mr STOUT : "The: lection of Councillors to fill the, vacancies in the Council of the borough of the city of Dunedin 1 eld on the ICth of September, 1878, and all acts and things in connection therewith, shall be and the same are hereby declared to be, good, valid, and effective, for all purposes whatsoever." Mr Curtis moved to add the following subsection to clause 14 : —" In section 207, after the word ' may' in the first line the words ' whenever the public health or safety shall render it necessary ' shall be inserted." Agreed to. Mr Tole moved the addition of the following subsection to clause 14 in section 62 :—" After the word ' Mayor,' where it first occurred, ' or any Councillor' shall be inserted." Agreed to. Mr Tole moved —"That, notwithstanding anything in any Licensing Act or Ordinance to the contrary in cities and towns lighted by gas at the expense of the ratepayers thereof, it shall not be necessary for the holder of a publican's license to keep a light burning in front of his licensed premises, except in c • ses where there is no public lamp so lighted as aforesaid kept burning within fifty yards of tha ,said preuikes in the street or place where the same are situated " On a division being taken the ayes was 14, and the noes 33. The clause was rejp cted. The Bill was then reported with amendments and passer]. NEXT" SESHIQN TO BE HELD IN CHRISTCHURCH. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr i-'hrimski moved as an amendment ; "Th>t the next session be held in Chriatchurch, in order to consult the convenience of members." The House divided on the question " that the word i proposed to be added stand part of the quostion." During the division, Mr George asked that the question be again put, when the Speaker again put the question, and the division proceeded, The Speaker—The aye?j and noes are equal, and it is my duty to give my vote in a manner which will not impcle the progress of husi-. ness, I thereforo give my vote with the ayes. [Cheers.] The i peaickr, after examination of the division lists, found that Mr Fitzroy had voted on both sides, and requested him to declare which sido he gave his vote on.

Mr Fitzroy—l voted on the first occasion under a misapprehension. I now give my vote with the noes. [Cheers ] The Speaker then announced the result of the division as ayes 28, noes 29. The amendment was therefore negatived. The Hourg divided on ihe' mam question—"Tl'tbjt; session be held in C'hristchurch." when the ayc3 were 29, and the noea 23. The motion was therefore ewried. The following is the division list: AYES. Messrs Ballancc Messrs Johnson Barton Kelly Bowen McMinn Brandon Nahe Bunny Pyke Carringtou Beeves Curtis Eichmond DeXautour Bolleston Felclwick Sharp Fox Sheehan George Mont Gibbs Takamoana Giiaborne Wood Hodgkinson NOEB. Major Atkinson Montgomery Messrs Baigent Oliver Barff O'Korke Brown, J. C. Bowc Dignan Saunders Finner Sbrimski Fitzroy Swauson Groen" Thomson Henry Tole Hislop Tnrnbull Hobbs Wallis Hursbhouse Wason Joyce Williims Macfarlanu Wp.oicock Murray Ay nsley The question of going into Committee of Supply was under discussion when the House adjourned. The House wiil probably bo prorognod ou Thursday. The Government have placed the question of the consideration of the report of managers of both Houses on tho amendments by the Legislative Council in the Electoral Bill last on the hat of orders of the day. EVENING SITTING. SOl'l'LY. The Hou'e resumed at 7.30, On an amendment for going into Committee of Supply, by, Mr MONTGOMBBT :—" That in. the. opinion of this

House the financial year should close on the 31st March, so as to meet the convenience of members. After discussion the amendment -was negatived on the voces. The House then went into Committse on the Estimates. Considerable discussion took place on the Government Insurance Commissioner (Native deserves, ,£100; and Native lands Funds Protection Act, ,£100) salary, .£2OO. The Treasubeb, in reply to inquiries, said it was proposed to place the management of the insurance department under the control of a responsible head. The item «£12,250 then passed. Public Trust Offices Expenses Account ,£1270, and the Native Reserves Account ,£1355, passed. The following items in the Immigration and Public Works estimates were passed. Immigra■£l7,6lll3s 4d: Railways, .£1,176,500. The item, Surveys Middle Island, .£14,500, passed. The item, South West Goldfields, Nelson, .£13,500, passed. The following votes were passed :—Surveys of new lines of railway, .£20,500; roads, ,£106,612; land purchases North Island, ,£150,918; water works on goldfields, =£52,850 ; telegraph extension, ,£29,700 ; public buildings, £241,305 ; lighthouses, £19,600; public works, £214,397 ; charges of raising loan, £30,000. On the supplementary estimates for current services, chargeaLle on consolidated fund, considerable discussion arose as to granting of £IOOO as an annual bonus to Wellington College, and it was stated that the institution was grost-lv mismanaged; but Mr Hursthouse, who moved that the vote be expunged, withdrew his motion, j