GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1686, 16 July 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 15. PRELIMINARY, The House met at 2.30, nearly all the members being in their places. After prayers by the Speaker, the Governor’s Aide-de-camp (Captain St. John) entered and announced to the Speaker that His Excellency desired the attendance of that honorable House in the Legislative Council Chamber. An adjournment to the Upper House followed, where His Excellency delivered his opening speech. THE SPEAKER. The House then resumed, when the Speaker intimated that His Excellency had been pleased to confirm the appointment of Speaker made by that hon. House on Friday last, NEW MEMBERS. Messrs Geo. Hart and J. Studholmo were sworn in and took their seats for Coleridge and Gladstone respectively. INTRODUCTION OR CONVICTS. The Phemiee introduced a Bill to amend the Act for the Prevention of the Introduction of Convicts, which was read a first time pro forma. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. The speech of his Excellency was then distributed to hon. members and read by the Speaker. The latter reporting that the House had attended the Governor, who was pleased to make the speech to both Houses, of which he (the Speaker) had for greater accuracy obtained a copy to road the same to the House. PETITIONS. A number of petitions were then presented, amongst which were one by Mr Swanson (Newton) from Auckland, against the introduction of Chinese to this colony ; one by Dr. Henry (Buller) in reference to roads and works at Kumnra; one by the Premier on the necessity for the immediate prosecution of the North Auckland Railway ; One by Mr Curtis (Nelson), on the claim of Jervis for the reward offered for the arrest and conviction of the Mangapiko murderers, he being instrumental in such arrest, Mr Moss (Parnejl) presented a petition from J. H. Campbell for compensation for loss sustained in the erection of a dwelling-house on land wanted for another purpose. Mr Swanson presented a petition from H. N. Brewer, of Onehunga, for unsettled claims for services rendered to the Government in connection with the Customs. Mr Swanson also presented a petition re tho concession to Wendel, of Auckland, in tho production of wine from grapes. Major Atkinson presented n petition from fifty-five settlers of New Plymouth re the ploughing of their lands by the Natives, the protection of tho settlers and necessity for the continuance of volunteers under active service. NOTICES OP MOTION. Sir Wit. Fox gave notice that he would move for the appointment of Mr A. P. Seymour, the hon. member for Wairau, as chairman of committees of that House. The announcement was received with “Hear, hears,” from some members on the Opposition benches. Mr J. C. Brown gave notice of motion re provision for assistance to Catholic schools. Mr P. Whitaker gave notice of motion re tho vestituro of tho library of the late Auckland Provincial Council. Mr Oubtis gave notice of motion re amendment of tho Licensing Act. The Pbemieh gave notice of his intention to introduce an Imprest Supply Bill, a Bill to borrow money for carrying on immigration and public works, a Bill to suspend plurality of voting in cases of elections to local governing bodies whilst those bodies are subsidised out of the general revenue of tho colony, and a Bill for tho redistribution of seats in the General Assembly. Mr Macandrew gave notice that ho would ask leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Regulation of Elections Act, and a Bill to provide for the better regulation of the system of Government advertising through the colony. Mr Gisborne gave notice of a Bill for tho better regulation of tho immigration of Chinese. Mr Shbimski gave notice of a Bill for tho amendment of tho Oamaru Harbor Bill. Mr Woodcock gave notice of a Bill to remedy defects in the electoral rolls of the colony. ... - Mr J. S. Shanks gave notice of his intention to move the adoption of an address in reply to His Excellency’s speech, Mr Gisborne gave notice of a Bill for the better management and maintenance of hospitals and charitable institutions, Mr J. W. Thomson gave notice for the appointment of a Petitions Classification Committee, and that he would introduce a Bill to Amend the Lands Act, 1877. Mr MacpaelANE gave notice of motion for a Select Committee to inquire into tho system of transmission of newspaper telegrams and amendment of facilities for the same. Mr Sheehan gave notice ofjhia intention to bring forward a Bill for the Regulation of Lands in Trust, a Police Pension Bill, a Bill to Amend the Law relating to the Regulation pf Elections, and a Bribory Bill.

hiohes education commission. The Pbbmibb brought forward a voluminous report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the subject of higher education, and leave was given to print the same. PAELIAMENTABY PAPEBS. Mr Fishes laid on the table papers relating to the San Francisco mail service, with enclosure: papers showing the deposits received and paid by the Post Office Savings Bank of the colony, together with the expenses of working the department for the year 1878. A motion that these papers be printed, was adopted. The Pbbmibb laid on the table a paper relating to the confiscation of rebels’ lands, including proclamations, instructions, &0., relative thereto, which was ordered to be printed. Mr GiSBOBNE laid on the table papers relating to the Eatikati Special Settlement, with a report and return showing the nature and extent of improvements effected in same to the end of November, 1878. Ordered to be printed. Mr GisbObnb laid on the table papers relating to the reservation of land for education : papers relating to crimes committed in the islands of the Pacific, and the question of jurisdiction in such eases : report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into matters connected with the electoral roll of Mongonui and Bay -of Islands districts : and papers relating to immigration to New Zealand, &c. Mr Sheehan laid on the table copies of letters and telegrams relating to the murder of John McLean on the 15th September, 1878, and the steps taken to capture the supposed murderer; papers containing speeches made at the Parliament held at Orakei between 25th February and Bth March ; letters received from the Magistrate of Raglan relative to Native affairs ; letter from Hohepa Paraone respecting the hearings before Native Lands Court, and appointment of a mixed Commission to try all claims to titles to Native lands.

The Pbbmibb moved the adjournment of tho House.