GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2599, 5 August 1882, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, August 4. BIRDS. In the Legislative Council the following Bills from the Lower House were read a first time:—Mines’ Act Amendment Bill, Employers Liability Bill, Protection of Telegrams Bill, Timaru High School Bill, School Committees Election Bill, Public Offenders Disqualification Act Amendment Bill, Otago Harbor Board Farther Empowering Bill, and Timaru Harbor Board Bill. STANDING ORDERS. The Council adopted the amended standing orders re local Bills which have been passed by the Lower House. TRAMWAYS. The Hon. Mr Hart withdrew his Private Tramways Bill to introduce another measure on the subject. EMPLOYMENT OP PEMADES, The Hon. Captain Frabeb moved the second reading of the Employment of Females Bill. The Hon, Dr, Pollen moved that it be thrown out.

Several members opposed the Bill on the ground that there were not sufficient grounds for parsing an Act amending that passed last year. Eventually tho Bill was thrown cut by 21 votes to 8.

For the Bill—Messrs Brett, P. A. Buckley, Dignan, Fraser, Grace, Lahman, Martin, Wilson.

Against—Messrs Acland, Chamberlain, Gray, Hart, Henderson, Holmes, M‘Lean, Miller, Nurse, Oliver, Pharazyn, Reynolds, Richmond, Robinson, Scotland, Whitaker, Whitmore, Williams, Williamson, Wood. The Council adjourned at 4 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2,30. waste lands committer.

The Chairman of tho waste lands committee reported re the disposal of the Pastoral Lsndi Bill as follows:—“ Having taken evidence upon the subject, and duly considered the Bill, we report as follows : —(I.) From the evidence before tbs committee, it appears that with the exception of the pastoral leases in Otago, which fall in on February, 1883, the provisions of this Bill would be practically inoperative for the next eight years. (2 ) That with the exception ot the provision which limits the tenure of pastoral land to ten years, the runs falling in next yearoan be advantageously dealt with under the law at present in force. (3) That the committee will recommend an amendment in the Government Land Bill, having for its object extensions of tenure in respect of purely potoiol lands.”

Sir Geobgb Obey took exception to tho report, stating that it was founded upon error, It stated that tho Bill could only affect tho pectoral leces failing in in February in Otago, otherwise tho Bill would be inoperative for a period of eight years, Mr J. McKenzie exprsned similar views, end offered, if competent, to move that the report be nob agreed to. He was proceeding to reflect upon the personnel of the committee when he was called to order by the Speaker. Mr DeLautoub and Mr Duncan expressed similar opinions, condemning the report. Mr Fyke said that as a matter of fact during 1882-3 something like 2,000,000 acres would fall in |in Otago alone. A change in the present system was urgently needed, as these lands were not open so as to secure equal advantages to all. Had the case been otherwise, a most desirable clues of colonists from the neighbouring colonies would have found a footing in tho place, who were driven away in consequence of the partiality shown, so as to keep tho land in the hands of the present occupiers. He moved that the report be referred back to the committee.

Mr Swanson desired to see the evidence before coming to the conclusion that the report was either partial or imperfect. Mr Shbbhan said that from his own knowledge he could say that the utmost care was taken in regard 1 i the sale of the Otago runs by the Minister of Lauds. He agreed, however, in tho opinion that the report was not complete.

Mr Bathgate was much disappointed with the report submitted. IE there was one laud law which demanded revision, it was that referring to the pastoral leases. During the recent disposal of these runs, one or two absentee holders secured whole countries. Such a state of things was most reprehensible, and showed conclusively that a change was now demanded. The House divided on the question that the report do lie on the table—Ayes, 43 ; nose, 35. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Dodson, The Hon. Mr Dick said a salary of £33 6s 81 per month had been paid to Mr Seymour, late Chairman of Committee, to the I7th of May last, or for a period of nesrly six months after ho had ceased to bo a membar of the House. The payment had bean made in accordance with the Act, which provided that between the date of the dissolution of Parliament and the appointment of a Speaker of the new Parliament, the Speaker and Chairman c£ Committees of the late Parliament wPI be deemed to held office. In meeting the payment the Government deemed it had fulfilled the strict latter of the law. Replying to Major Harris, The Hon. Mr Bollbston said it wri intended to resume nominated immigration, and prposals on the subject would shortly be submitted to Parliament. Replying to Major Harris, Tho Hon. Mr Bollbston said no circular had been sent to the chief surveyors that none but a staff surveyor should receive Government employment. Staff surveyor* were in the pay of tho Government, and of course it was nucsssary they should be fully employed. All extra work was given to authorised surveyors, and in some oases local work was given to authorised surveyors residing in those localities at schedule prices. Replying to Mr Pish, The Hon, Major Atkinson said that if tho names of the printers of tho spurious labels, for using which Wilkins and another were convicted, bo ascertained, they would bo prosecuted. BILLS. The Speoisl Powers and Contracts Bill was inf reduced and read a first time (Mr Bolleston). Tho following Bills were read a second time: —Prisons and Justice of the Peace Bills, the Aliena Act Amendment Bill was reported, read the third time, and passed, the Supreme Court end Court of Appeal Bills were considered in committee and reported with amendments. The House adjourned at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. LAW CONSOLIDATION. The House resumed at 7.30, and went into committee on the Law Amendment, Criminal Law, Imbecile Passengers, Fisheries, Inspection o£ Machinery, Companies, and other Consolidation Bills. In committee on the Public Works Bill, Captr.in Mckenzie moved —“ That clause 316 be amended so as to read, * except for the purpose of railway or other work to ba made under the authority of a spaoial Act, nothing in this Act shall authorise tho commencement of any work or the removal cf any fencing upon any lands until fences have been first made, so that all lauds u'jioent to the land taken or the works executed under this Act shall ba as effectually protected against domaga by trespass as before the oomm.'ncemont of such works.”

Carried. Tha Bill was eventually reported wish amendments.

Tho Fisheries Bill was reported with amendments. The House cat till 3 30 a.m. in Committee on the various Consolidation Bills and the Auokland University College Bill. Ultimately progress was reported on ths latter, and on the Lunatics Bill. The others were reported with amendments.