GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2580, 14 July 1882, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(P3IS3 ASSOCIATION TSLBGBAM.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Thtbbdat, July 13, QUESTIONS. la reply to the Hon. Mr Holmes, The Hon. Mr Olives said the Government would favorably consider an apeeal, if it was made, to remit the duty of £3O imposed on the wife and children of a Chinese storekeeper at Dunedin, who arrived by the Bowen. Replying to the Hon. Mr Stevens, The Hon. Mr Whitaxhb said the Governmeat would consider a measure in the recess providing for the administration of hospital wncl charitable institutions, and would introduce it next session, at there was no hope of passing it this session. Replying to the Hon. Mr Stevens, The Hon. Mr Whitakbb said he believed ho would be prepared to etat© within a few days the proposition of the Government os to the English mail service on the expiry of -the present contract. Replying to the Hon. Captain Fraser, The Hon. Mr Whitakbb said that Garrett, W prisoner at Lytlelton Gaol, had been liberated only in conformity with the regu lotions. PBITATB BILLS. On the motion of the Hon, Captain ~Hitt,t.tw, a committee was appointed to conaider and report on the procedure with regard to the passing of private Bill*. BULB DEALT WITH. v The Railway Construction and Land Aot Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed; the Justices of the Peace Bill was passed through committee. tensions bill.

The debate on the Pensions Bill was rewarned. . ... 'The Hon. Mr Mantbll spoke against the •pill, and the Hon. Mr Eexnoids having replied, the Bill was thrown out by a majority of one. For the Bill—Hons. Baillie, Brett, Fraser, Hurt, Henderson, Lahmann, MoLsan, Phara■*yn, Beynoidit, Scotland, Whitaker, Whitmore, Wilson, Against—Hons. P. A. Buckley, Dignan. Holmes, G. IN. Johnston, Mantell, Martin, Manzies, Miller, Ngatata, Nurse, Peacock, Richmond, Stevens, Williams.

MISCELLANEOUS. The Dog Ksgistration Act Amendment Bill was passed through committee; The Affirmations in Lien of Oaths Bill was received from Lower House and read a first time ; the Auckland College and Grammar School Bill vii-s read a second time. The Council rose at 5 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thubsdat, July 13. The House met at 2.30. BILLS. The joint committee on Bills reported the Dunedin Waterworks Extension Bill to be a private Bill. It was therefore discharged lircm the Order Paper. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Steward, The Hon. Mr Johnston said the Government had nothing to do with providing a foaoe in the yard at the Hakateramea siding 2oc the protection of grain there awaiting transit. The lino was a private one. Replying to Captain McKenzie, The Hon. Mr Bbyob said the Government were considering the propriety of relaxing, or oven soon repealing, the Arms Act, bnt until that was relaxed or repealed they could not give greater facilities in one district than in another. To allow Southern districts to have free trade of sporting arms and ammunition •would be the same as allowing it in the whole colony. The time had not yet quite oome Ter this.

Replying to Mr Feldwick, The Hon. Mr Bollbston raid he did not consider persona acting as land agents should be members of the Waste Lands Boards. They were not aware of any in the position, but if there were, the Government would consider what should be done.

Replying to Mr Harris, The Hon. Mr Johnston said the Government were considering the question of resuiranging passenger rates, and would then consider the issuing of return tickets on free days at single faro on the Auckland lines. Replying to questions from Messrs Beetham and Hamlin, The Hon Mr Bbyob said that the whole question of the defence of the ports of the colony was under serious consideration of the Government, The sum of £44.000 already voted had been expended, with the exception ci about £9OOO. The Government had not plane for batteries from Oolo~titl SeratobLey, and had been_ greatly disappointed at that officer having been unable to carry out his intention of visiting the colony again to reorganise the defence force and perfect his plans of de> lexica It was owing to this that the late Voluijteer Board was appointed. He hoped aeon to he able to make a statement to the Bouse on the subject of defence. Replying to Mr Sutton, The Hon. Mr EOLLiisroir said fresh apS liniments had recently been made to the iswke’s Bay Waste Land Beard. Replying to Mr Iveas, The Hon. Mr Dick said he was not certain whether arrangements could be made for Aka Resident Magistrate to bold fortnightly Mitrings of bis Court at South Bakaia, but it might be possible to get three Justices of the 3?sacs to sit once a month there. He would make enquiries. Replying to Mr J. O. Brown, The Hon. Mr Dick said the Government had noticed the case of poisoning reported irom Christchurch through using tinned meats. They would cause the widest possible •circulation to be given, to the circular from the French Government on the danger •arising from the use of solder in such tins, ■and would cause samples of tinned meats to be analysed. Replying to Mr Munro, The Hon. Mr Johnston promised to have so survey of a road in the Boefton district made.

Beplying to Mr Petrie, The lion. Mr Dick promised that a geological survey should be made of the coal measures on the north and east of the Grey liver northward to Bazor Back, Beplying to MrShrimski, The Hon. Major Atkinson said that the Government would take steps to let the Cliutom House reserve in Oamaru. Beplying to Mr Daniel, The Hon. Major Atkinson aaid the Govt irnment would assist local bodies to ascertain the best site far a wharf in Bivorton Harbor. Beplying to Mr Wright, The Hun. Mr Johnston said the Suspension bridge at Bakaia Gorge would be finished la three months. 3IEBT HEADINGS. The Borough of Hamilton Boundaries Bill (Mr Weston), Municipal Corporation Act Amendment Bill (Hr'Hutchison) were read a first time. ELECTION PETITION COMMITTEE. Hr Sheehan moved—“ That the Select Committee appointed to report on certain mass tried before Election Petitions Courts x consist of the Hon. Mr Dick, Oapfc. Morris, lb.-vsi b Turnbull, Wynn Williams, Fitz Gerald, Weston, Oonolly, Shrimaki, Macuudrew, and Clue mover, Three to be the quorum, and tc super® in three days.” Agreed to. RETURNS. Several unopposed notices of motion for a-3 turns were agreed to. WESTLAND EDUCATION BILL. Mr Beddoiit moved the second reading of the Westland Education District Subdivision Bill. Mr Pktbih moved—“ That the Bill bo read that day six months Mr Weston supported the amendment, and Mr Fitz Gerald and Mr Mungo the Bill. The Hon. Mr Dios: expressed regret at the abrong feeling existing between the two uicirtiona of the district, and thought they had better separate. The amendment was carried on a division of 37 to 21, and the Bill was thrown out. NULSON COLLEGE. The Nelson College Act Amendment Bill (Mr Shepherd) passed through committee, with amendments, and was read a third time wnd passed. OTAGO HARBOR BOARD. The Otago Harbor Board. Further Empowering BUI was father considered in commi Mae. Mr Wbight opposed any further expenditure on the upper harbor. On the motion to fix the amount to be IWTowed at £ 200,000, the committee ■ Ayeii, 65 j Noes, It.

Further consideration of the measure was interrupted by the dinner hour. EVENING SITTING. On the House resuming at 7.30, otago habbos boabd bill. Mr Fish mo»ed the suspension of the Standing Orders to enable him to proofed with the Otago Harbor Board Bill. On counting the House, however, only fi Oysix members were present, while sixty-four were required before the Standing Orders could ba suspended. THE PENDING AOT. Mr Smith moved theseoond reeding of the Fencing Aot Amendment Bill, explaining that its object was to enable settlers in the bush country to clear a greater width on eaoh side of their fences than was at present allowed. Mr Stevens supported, and Messrs Beetbam, Pyke, W. O. Buchanan, Hursthouee, and Bryoe opposed the Bill, The Bill was read a second time. HAWKEBB AND TED LABS BILL. Mr M. W. Gbbbn moved the second reading of the Hawkers and Pedlars Bill.

Mr Letbstau opposed the Bill. Mr Bbacken supported it, es the hawkers and pedlars now had a real grievance in having to pay a fresh license fee in each local Government division in which they plied their trade. Colonel Teimblb moved that the Bill be road that day six months. Mr Pike seconded this, and Messrs Fish, Do Loutour, Duncan, and H. Thomson opposed the Bill. After some remarks from Mr Lsvestam, Mr Shrimski, and Mr Button, Mr Gee bn replied, and the Bill was thrown out by 66 to 16. GOLD DUTIES ABOLITION BILL.

On Mr beddon’s motion to go into committee on the Gold Duties Abolition Bill, The Hon. Mr Kollbsxon said if this Bill passed it would mean taking over the liabilities of counties for £30,000 raised on the security of this tax, and provision for necessary works in future would also have to be made out of the public revenue. Mr J. O. Brown supported the Bill. Mr Pike thought the liabilities named were not debit amounts existing, but amounts to which the local bodies could go. He did not think above £120,000 had been raised, and of this only a portion on gold duty. It was high time to abolish this special tax. Mr Petbie supported the Bill and so did Mr Munbo.

Mr HTJKBTHOtrsB would in committee move for a gradual reduction rather than a total abolition. Mr Conollt opposed the Bill, but If it was pasted at all it should be made optional. Mr Seddon replied, Baying that a road maintenance tax on the proceeds of the proposed rate on Crown lands would amply compensate local bodies for the loss of this special and objectionable tax. The House divided on the motion for going into committee, which was negatived by 40 to 34. STBEET3 AND EOADS BILE. (Mr J. W. Thomson). This Bill passed through committee with amendments. NATITH COMMITTEE BMPOWBBIHO BILL. Mr Tomoana moved the second reading of the Native Committees Empowering Bill, and said he did so at the earnest solicitation oi many of the Maori people. Mr Bbyob said the Bill should be understood if introduced at all. It was one he could not assent to in a hasty manner, fcr it proposed to allow of the election of Courts of Justice in a very loose and imperfect manner. Mr Tubnbull regretted very much the dissent of the Native Minister. The real effect of the Bill was to place the Native Minister in a dominant position with regard to the Native race.

Mr Moss thought the Native Minister had read the Bill hurriedly, and was also surprised at bis dissent. Mr Sheehan said this House was the only one in the world whore a subdued race had a voice in oolitics. He hoped the Bill would pass. Mr Taiaroa, Mr Stewart, and Mr Tawhai supported the Bill. Mr Tawhia said since the present Native Minister bad been in office ho had done away with all Native assessors, and it was necessary that there should be some Native tribunal to settle their internal business.

Mr Weston supported the Bill, but thought it could be very well modified in committee.

Messrs Kelly, L Wilson, Watt, Pearson, Trimble, Hurst, Buchanan, opposed; and Messrs Maoandrew, Buchanan, Montgomery, Harris, Smith, Swanson, Dodson, and Green supported the Bill. The House divided—Ayes. 38 ; noes, 24. The House adjourned at 1.10.