GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2001, 23 July 1880, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

■ [pbb pbesb association special wibb.] 1 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. , THtnsaDAY, July 22. > In the Legislative Council, > On the motion of the Hon. Captain Fbaseb | all papers re the Patero Block were ordered 1 to be laid on the table. . The Hon. N. Wilson asked what the 1 Government intended to do re the disqoalifi- [ oation of Mr Taiaroa. i The Hon. E. Whitakeb said that the matter had not been considered. On the motion of the Hon. D. Menzibs a return was ordered of the number of petitions presented, with the total number of signatures, during last two years, asking that the Bible may be read in schools. The Hon. Colonel Whitmohe gave notice to ask what the Government intend to do re the Native disturbance at Napier. The Hon. Colonel Beett rose to make an apology with reference to some remarks ho had made when speaking on the Wellington Racing Club Bill. He made a statement reflecting on a member of the Council, and now stated that ho made a misstatement under a wrong impression, for which he made the fullest apology. The Maori Prisoners'Bill was read a second time after short debate, in which the Hons. Whitaker, Waterhouse, and Whitmore spoke, but advanced no new arguments. The Dentists’ Bill was read a first time. The District Courts Bill and the Bluff Harbor Foreshore Leasing Bill were read a second time, and the Council adjourned at 5 p.m. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, July 21, A number of new clauses were added to the Municipal Corporations Bill, which was then reported with amendments, and the report was ordered to be considered a month ience, so as to give municipalities time to consider the measure as amended. The House adjourned at 1.45 a.m. Thdbbday, July 22. The House met at 2 30 p.m. PETITION. The Hon E. Richabdson presented a petition, signed by 627 employes of the Now Zealand Railways, praying that the proposed reduction of wages might be reconsidered. QUESTIONS. Replying to the Hon. E. Richardson, The Hon. R. Oliteb said that the Railway Commissioners of the North and South Islands had communicated their views on the proposal for reducing the wages of the railway employes. They recommended that the reductions should be made in certain directions, and the Government would use their best endeavors to have these reductions made so as not to cause the woges to be lower than those paid for similar labor outside the Government service. Mr Ibbland asked whether attention had i been directed to the hardships inflicted on - miners and others on the Otago goldfields in j the matter of surveys of residence areas, 1 small gardens, &0., inasmuch as miners and i others hare to deposit not only survey fees, but the travelling expenses of the surveyors, no matter how small the area which required surveying may be, so that, however large the number of surveys, each applicant has to pay the whole travelling expense. The Hon. W. Hollhston replied that in point of fact these charges were barely sufficient to cover the actual cost, in fact the surveys involved the colony in a lose. Residence areas did not require to be surveyed, 1 but Government would give tho matter con- 1 sideration, with a view of ascertaining what i better arrangements could be made, i Replying to Mr Pitt, The Hon. T. Dick said that Government 1 proposed taking steps to equalise the salaries 1 of the attendants in lunatic asylums by making reductions in those which are overpaid. Mr McDonald asked if the Government 1 were aware that the Natives have erected a ] fence across the main road to Foxton, and 1 what steps they intend taking, also if it was true that Government have agreed to pay tho coach proprietor tho various sums paid to the Natives by him, for allowing tho coach and passengers to pass along tho main road , between Foxton and Wellington. The Hon. J. Bbyce said that the road in I question was not a main line of road, but passed over sandhills claimed to be the property of the Maoris. Government had undertaken to refund to the coach driver the amounts levied by the Maoris, and iu the meantime steps were being taken to lay off a permanent line of road in another direction. YBIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL. Mr Siewabt asked leave to introduce the Friendly Societies Amendment Bill. Exception was taken to tho application on the ground that tho order, paper was already overburdened with private Bills, and that this was a Bill which there was not the remotest probability of getting passed. The Hon. Major Atkinson while agreeing that there was little probability of the Bill passing this session, thought that it would be unfair to prevent the Bill being introduced. Mr G. Gbby said that the member for Dunedin waa most careful in these matters, and was not at all likely to introduce a measure needlessly. The Bill, moreover, was very short, and he thought it should be allowed to see the light of day. The Bill was introduced, and road a first time. HIEST HEADINGS. The following were introduced, and read a first timeSt, Paul’s Presbyterian Church (Ohristchuroh) Trustees Incorporation Bill, (Mr Stevens), Public Entertainments Prohibition Bill, Town Districts Bill (Hon. T. Dick). Tho Hon. T. Dick said that tho object of the latter was to give certain simple powers of local government to towns if of not sufficient population to become municipalities. BILLS PASSED. In Committee, the Port Molyneux Reserves Leasing Act, 1876, Amendment, and tho Public Health Act, 1876, Amendment Bill were passed with amendments. SECOND HEADINGS. Mr Stewabt moved the second rending of the Taranaki Iron and Smelting Works'Land Act, 1874, Amendment Bill. The Hon. W. Rollbston opposed the Bill, as the company had not fulfilled tho conditions undertaken by them. After discussion, tho Houso divided—Ayes, 34 ; Noes, 18. The Bill was read a second time, and its committal made an Orde.‘ of the Day for that day week. Mr Pitt moved the second reading of tho Nelson Gas and Waterworks Sale Act, 1877, Amendment Bill. The motion was put and carried. Mr Ballanob moved the second reading of the Wanganui Harbor and River Conservators Board Grant Bill. The motion was put and carried, Mr Levin W»s about to move the second reading of .the Wellington Racing Club Bill, when Mr Mason moved that tho petition presented by him against the Bill be read. That course having been agreed to, the motion for tho second reading was made. Mr Mason objected to the Bill, as did also also the Hon. J. Hall and Mr Mubbay.

The debate was interrupted by tho 5.30 adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. Tho House resumed at 7.30. ( UE bhbkhan’s defbkce. Mr Whitaker asked leave on behalf of Mr Sheehan, who was absent, giving evidence in the Supremo Court, that his motion to take tho West Coast Native Commission report into consideration, which notice stood seventh on the paper, might be postponed, and made the first business for next Thursday. Nothing would be lost by the postponement, as not only would tho motion probably not be reached to-day, even if Mr Sheehan ware present, but it was understcod that a third report from the commissioners would probably be presented on Monday next, and it would bo desirable and would save time to wait until this third report was before them, so that the whole subject might be discussed at once. The Speaker said that nothing could bo done with No. 7 until it was reached in due course, excepting by the unanimous consent of the House.

On tho question being put Mr Turnbul objected, and tho Speaker called on tho nexorder.

FIRE BRIGADES BILE. The House wont into committee on the Eire Brigade* Bill.

Mr Speight said that he would object to the Bill if it gave power to corporations to strike a separate rate without being empowered to do so by the ratepayers. Par too much rating power was proposed to be given to local bodies in the Bills before the House, and on clause 16 he moved an amendment in accordance with these remarks. The House divided —ayes 32, noos 23, and the clause as printed wos passed. Mr Beid proposed a new clause, exempting members of volunteer lire brigades from serving on juries. The Spbakkb ruled that the proposal could not be entertained in connection with the Bill. It was strictly a question to be dealt with in the Juries Act. The Bill was reported with omondmonts. CHABITABLK AID BILL. On a motion that the House go into committee on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Endowment Bill, Mr TunNTiDLL suggested that tho Bill should bo taken up by the Government. Tho proposals of tho measure, he contended, were of sufficient importance to warrant that course being taken. Ho moved that they go into committee that day six months. Tho Hon. J. Hall said that Government approved of the principle of tho Bill and would give it general support. After discussion the amendment was negatived on the voices, and the House wont into committee. A motion that the words “ million acres ” be struck out as tho endowment wos lost on a division of 24 to 23, and words as printed were carried. Mr Mubhax moved that tho word “ pastoral ” be inserted to describe the character of the endowment. The House divided—Ayes, 8 ; noes, 37. Tho Bill was reported with amendments, and at 1.10 the House rose.