GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1793, 19 November 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, Notehbbb 18. Sir F, D. Bell gave notice to ask what authority Sir J. Yogel had for stating that he had the authority of three Ministers to belong to Mr Lamach’s company. Col. Bebtt gave notice to ask if the results of keeping 662 armed constables on the West Coast was commensurate with the cost. Also if the force was employed in road making, &c, Mr Buckley moved that the Government should consider the present railway tariff with a view to making the rates higher, to make the lines contribute more to the revenue of the colony. Mr Whitakeb said the Minister of Public Works was now considering the whole question, and would shortly state his views on the subject. ...... Many members spoke against raising the rates, and the debate was adjourned at four o’clock. The Imprest Bill was passed through all stages. The Qualification of Electors Bill was read a first time, the Friendly Societies Act Amendment Bill a second time, and the Oamaru Waterworks Bill a third time. The Council debated the Triennial Parliaments Bill from four till five, the speakers being Messrs Whitaker, Waterhouse, and Eeynolds, Sir F. D. Bell, Drs. Grace and Menzies. Several members opposed the principle of the Bill, but said, seeing that the Lower House had passed it, they should not move to throw it out. At five o’clock the debate was adjourned till 7.30.

HOUSE OE EEPEE3ENTATIYB3. Tuesday, November 18. SIISCBDIiANEOUS. The Minister for Works laid on the table papers and maps ts progress of the Thames Waikato railway contracts let, &c. Mr Bablance asked the Minister of Bands whether he will lay before the House any opinion of the law officers of tlm Crown respecting the fulfilment of conditions by which the Titanic Steel Company are entitled to a grant of 5000 acres of land, and whether the Oovernment will bring in a Bill during the present session to remove any technical defects preventing such grant from being issued. Mr RoddestON said the Government were not prepared to bring in a Bill at this period of the session, and it was not usual to place the opinions of the law officers before the House. The Government were consequently not prepared to comply with the request. Mr Stevens asked the Colonial Treasurer whether he will make provision for placing the fire brigades of the colony in the same position as regards capitation allowances as that held by volunteers. Major Atkinson agreed with Mr Stevens as to the services of the fire brigades, and hoped to see his way to comply with the request when the supplementary estimates were brought down. Mr Seddon asked the Government what is the cause of the delay in issuing, under section 14 of the Counties Act, a proclamation declaring the new Kanieri County, as petitioned for by certain ratepayers of Kanieri road district, Westland provincial district. The Premier said one reason why the proclamation could not be issued was that the area was not sufficient under the Act, and the signatures were also insufficient: but in addition to this, the cutting up of the district was of very questionable expediency. Mr Reeves asked the Government if they will have collected and forwarded to the forthcoming International Exhibition, to beheld at Melbourne, samples of the different mineral springs in the North and Middle Islands, together with an analysis of their several medicinal and curative properties._ The Premier said an analysis had been made, but when Dr. Hector returned the matter would bo referred to him.

Sir G. Gbey asked the Government if they will be prepared to purchase locomotives built in the colony at a price not above the cast of similar engines when imported from England or America, the engines being guaranteed to stand such test as may bo required, and, if found suitable, will an order bo given for fifteen or twenty such locomotives for use on the Hew Zealand railways ; and will the Government caU for tenders for such locomotives to ascertain the price at which they can be supplied. - Mr Olives said the amount ordered py the late Government would be quite sufficient to meet requirements for several years. Mr Babbon asked the Government whether to facilitate settlement they will cause to be exhibited at each Land and Post Office in the colony, in some conspicuous place to which the public may at all times have access, maps showing distinctly in blocks and sections, all lands open for occupation, together with descriptions of such lands, showing the altitude, exposure, nature of the soil, character of existing vegetation, and price or rent, and terms on which such lands may bo acquired. Mr Eolle3ton said arrangements of the kind had been made. Notices were always inserted in the “ Gazette,” but he would see if any improved arrangements could he made. Mr Akdbsws asked the Government what steps have been taken towards giving Sydenham a Money Order and Post Office, in accordance with the recommendation of Mr Dick, Chief Postmaster of the district. The Pbbmiee said arrangements were being made for a site. Mr Andbew3 asked the Government if they will constitute a Petty Sessions Court at Sydenham, to hold its sittings weekly. Mr Rolleston said they would make inquiries on the subject before answering. Mr Audeews asked the Government if they will create a Petty Sessions Court in Christchurch, so that the Resident Magistrate’s Court may be relieved of Police Court business, and that the citizens of Christchurch may possess the same privileges which are bestowed upon the citizens of other districts. Mr Rolleston said inquiry would be made, as in the last case, before making any reply to

the question. Mr Tomoana introduced a Bill to amend the Maori Bepresentation Act, 1877. EHQISTBATION OF ELECTOB3. The Eegistration of Electors Bill was then ordered to be further considered in committee. In clause 19, the Pbekieb moved to add, “ That a sum of 20s be deposited by the objector in each case.” Mr Qisboenb moved—“ That such person objecting be required to prove his objection.” After some discussion the amendment was withdrawn, and the proviso re deposit was adopted. Mr Pykb moved to add the words—“ That the person objecting to such be required to substantiate the objection.” A division was taken on the motion to add the words which resulted as follows :—Ayes, 23 ; noes, 33. Mr Hislop proposed to add the words—- “ That no objection be entertained except such as is mentioned in the summons.” This was carried on the voices. Borne discussion took place as to fixing the cost of printed rolls, when a motion .that the price of rolls be fixed at Is per 1000 names, and Is 6i above that number, was put and carried on the voices. On the amended clause being put the question was reopened, and a division taken w with the following result: —Ayes, 27; Noes, 21. The clause as amended was then adopted. A number of new clauses were proposed by Mr Seddon, providing for the appointment of deputy registrars, and the issue of numbered certificates to persons qualified as electors. The Pbbmibb opposed the amendments at this stage of the Bill, and the mover did not press the clauses. Several amendments were made in other clauses, and the proceedings of the committee were brought to a close by the 5.30 adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. BEGISTEATION OF ELECTOBS. The House resumed in committee on the Begistration of Electors Bill. On the motion of Mr Tots the following new clauses were added to the Bill: —“ Notwithstanding anything in the Qualification of Electors Act, 1879, or in this Act contained, any person whose name may for the time being be upon the roll of any district (hereinafter called the original district) in respect of a residential qualification, and who shall have ceased to reside in such district, shall be entitled to have his name inserted on the roll of the district in which he is a resident, and after residing one month therein, shall, on written application in the form in the third schedule, obtain from the Eegistrar of the original district a certificate in the form of the fourth schedule addressed to the Begistrar of the district in which he is then resident. Upon delivery of such certificate to the Eegistrar to whom the same is addressed, accompanied with a declaration in the form in the fifth schedule, the person named therein shall be entitled to have his name inserted on the roll for the last mentioned district according to the tenor of such certificate, and the Eegistrar of such district shall insert the name of such person accordingly, and thereupon such person shall be entitled to vote in like manner as though his name had been originally in-” sorted on such last mentioned roll ; provided that the registrar shall not insert the name of any person on any roll, after the issue of a writ for the election of a member of the House of Eepresentatives for the district to which such application relates until after return of such writ. Every registrar upon giving such certificate shall strike the name of the person to whom the same is issued off the roll for the original district, and shall make a memorandum against such name as follows Transferred to” (naming the district) and shall initial the same ; and every Eegistrar inserting the name of any person upon an electoral roll by virtue of such certificate, shall make a memorandum against such name as follows '“ Transferred from” (naming the district), and shall initial the same. Any person who knowingly and wilfully makes any false statement in any application in the form contained in the third schedule, or who shad falsely make the declaration contained in the fourth schedule shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.” The schedules to the Bill were then amended and adopted, and the Bill reported to the House. BEGTJLATION OF ELECTIONS BILL.

The House went into committee on the Regulation o£ Elections Bill. In the interpretation clausa the words “ elector means any person who shall have the right to vote at any election ” were altered to “ elector means any person whose name shall appear on the electoral roll.” Mr Gisborne pointed out that this would disqualify holders of miners’ rights, and to meet this an addition was made, yiz., “ or holders of miners’ rights.” Considerable discussion ensued on an amendment providing that all elections should take place on the same day. It was stated that this would be found unworkable. An amendment by Mr Hisnop—“That the writs be returnable on one day,” was opposed by the Government. Mr Saunders contended that this would throw the elections into the hands of the monied class. . . . After some discussion, a division was taken on the question to add words, making the pollings on the same day. The result was : Ayes, 30 ; noes, 21. The amendment was therefore added. In clause 10, the word “ person,” in the first lino, was altered to “every duly qualified elector.” Mr Hisnop proposed to alter the_ words “ not less than seven days,” referring to the notice of nomination, and to substitute the words “ not less than three nor more than ten.” The candidate’s deposit of £lO was objected to as being too low. Mr Beeves proposed to increase it to £2l, and a division was taken on the question “That the sum bo £lO as printed.” The result was —Ayes, 20 j noes, 25. Mr Hutchison proposed that the words “ fifty votes necessary to entitle a candidate to a return of such deposit,” be altered to “ one-eighth part of the number of votes polled by the highest successful candidate.” This was negatived. Mr George proposed that the words be “ one fifth of the number of votes polled by the person who leads the poll.” This was adopted. , - On the question that the sum deposited should be forfeited if the candidate does not poll, it was proposed to substitute the words “ If ho shall not withdraw before a poll is taken.” This was negatived.

On the clause that any duly registered elector may be nominated as a candidate, it was proposed to insert the words “ Who has given his written consent" after the word elector. A division was taken on the amendment which was proposed by the Premier, with the following result—Ayes, 23; Noes, 22. . [ A number of clauses wore passed with amendments, after which progress was reported and leave granted to sit again.