GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1819, 19 December 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE' COUNCIL. Thursday, December 1,8 After two adjournments during the day, no business being ready, tho Council met at 7 p.m. Mr Whitaker moved the second reading of tho Public Works Bill in a dozen words. Tho Bill was then committed, and clauses one to fifteen passed as printed. On clause 16, certain lands required for road purposes may bo entered upon. Sir F. D. Bell moved that it be struck out. The motion was agreed to on tho voices. Clause 19 was also struck out. On clause 21 exchange of land, Colonel Whitmore moved tho excision of the clause. Tho motion was not agreed to. Clause 24 was struck out. The succeeding clauses to 36 inclussive passed without alteration. There was a discussion on clause 36, the guarantee clause, which was then agreed to. On tho schedule of the Bill tho lines Nelson to Qreymouth, Picton to Hurunui, Bast Coast and West Const wore struck out from the list of authorised Middle Island railways. Mr Whitaker then moved that progress be reported to allow the Government to consider what course it would now adopt. This was carried by the Chairman’s casting vote. The Council adjourned at 12 20 till tomorrow at 10 o’clock. gHOUSE OF EEPEE3ENTATIYE3. Thursday, December 18, APPROPRIATION BILLS. Tho House met at 11 o’clock this morning. The Appropriation Bill and Immigration’ and Public Works Appropriation Bills were introduced, In committee these Bills wore passed. PUBLIC WORKS BILL. Clause 30 of tho Public Works Bill was then taken up. Mr Olitbb proposed to add the following in lieu of clause 30 —“ It shall be lawful for the Governor in Council from time to time, on being satisfied that the expenditure on any of the district railways, specified in the schedule hereto, by the company constituted for the purpose of constructing tho same, has boon economically expended, to guarantee upon such terms and conditions, and subject to receiving such secuiity as the Governor in Council may approve, the debentures or mortgages to be given by any such company for a sum in the aggregate not exceeding £60,000 of the expenditure of the company upon the construction and laying of any railway line constructed by them, and the erecting ond building of any buildings and erections and the purchase of rolling stock in connection therewith being the property of the company.” Sir G. Grey moved that £30,000 bo substituted for £60,000. In reply to Mr Barron, Sir O. Grey said that if his amendment were accepted he would not insist upon specific sums being allocated to particular companies. The question that £30,000 be substituted for £60,000 was put and carried on the voices. Sir G. Grey then moved, as a further amendment, that no amount be granted to any one company in excess of the sum of £15,000. Mr Montgomery suggested that the amount should not ha insisted upon, as tho Government would he responsible for what they did. Mr Speight suggested that the amendment should not be insisted on. He said tho member for Timaru had been instrumental by the course he had pursued in reducing tho evil to a minimum, and that should be considered sufficient for present purposes. Mr Hall said the position to which the proposal had been brought was exactly what the Government contemplated, and it was a mistake to suppose it was the result of a concession made to the opposition shown. The amendment was put and negatived on the voices. The Bill was reported with amendment, read a third time, and passed. The House then adjourned till 4 o’clock. EVENING SITTING. ADJOURNMENTS. The House adjourned from 4 to 8, and from 8 to 10.30, when the Appropriation Bill, and the Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Bill, were reported as having passed the Upper House. After a further adjournment to 11.35, Mr Hall intimated that in consequence of Bills under consideration not having come down in time, he would move the adjournment of the House until to-morrow, at noon. Ho added that in consequence of material changes having been made in the Public Works Bill, the prorogation fixed for to-morrow could not possibly take place. The House adjourned at 11 p.m.