GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 970, 5 September 1871, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[the prbss.] • WtfLLINGTON r August 30.* Several petitions in favor of the Permissive Bill have been presented. Mr Fox intimated that ie was his intention to ask the Cabinet to consider- the introduction of such a BilL The motion of Mr Gillies, in favor of accepting the verdict of two-thirds of a jury on civil cases was' 'carried on th« voices after a brief debate. The debate on the Gold Duty Reduction ii adjourned until after the financial statement. In the Legislative Council, the Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister Bill was read a second' time ; majority one. August 31. Mr Collins asked whether over L 50,000 was obtained from the Controller for the ostensible object of paying off certain debentures due within the year, and whether the money had been applied for the purpose iitp was issued by^ tie^Controller, or applied to other purposes. Mr Yogel replied to the effect that the Government had found it inconvenient to pay off certain treasury bills held by the trust fnnd, and had applied the money to other purposes ; they had nothing to conceal in the matter. |Mr. Collins moved 1 that the answer be entered in the journals of the House, characterising the transactions as a financial thimbkrig. .; i ; ! ; Mr Iteader Wood said it showed the inefficiency and absurdity of th,e system of control, and Hoped it would lead to the Hoj^sav^Jw^p,e,nse_oi,.keeping.up. that system. Mr Vbgel said the Controller's time Was chiefly occupied; by disputed with tjie^oV: vernment, wKjdhj'thqdgh courteously conr [ ducted, were very inplemn& l , 'The Qon-

troller acted in the most conscientious manner ; but, in the present instance, he seemed to have the deliberate intention to injure the credit of the Colony. All the necessary duties of the office could be better performed by an Auditor-General, and.' the Government would probably bring the matter under the notice of the House.; The Attorney-General's opinion differed^ from the Controller's in the present case. Mr Gillies said the present system of control was sufficient with an honest Government, but not with an unscrupulous one. It was unfair to speak as Mr Yogel hajd'done of an absent official. Mr Gisborne said in the present transaction the Government followed the example of their predecessors, but did not defend the practice, Mr Stafford denied all knowledge of any similar transaction. Mr ' Hall defended the Controller^ usefulnjess, and admitted having once, under special circumstances, acted in regard to a small sum as the Government had in regard to the sum alluded to. He, however, at Jhe earliest opportunity brought the matter before the House. Messrs Beynolds, Macgilivary, and Bunny defended the Government. After further debate the motion was withdrawn. Mr Stafford gave notice of motion for tfie appointment of a committee to enquire into the management and administration of the Telegraph Department.