GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1883, 19 August 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAPH AGENCY.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ; Wellington, Aug. 18.: In the Legislative Council, the Lyttelton Gas Bill was read a third time and passed. In reply to Hon. Mr Holmes's question I— " Whether Government intended to appoint a Surveyor-General ?" The Colonial Secretary Baid that it had not yet been decided whether a competent officer for each island should be appointed to carry out surveys for which LSOOO had been voted, or whether the same would be entrusted to the SurveyorGeneral for the whole Colony. j The second reading of the New Zealand Forests Bill was moved by the Colonial Secretary. The Hon. Mr Waterhouse objected to the Council being called upon to sanction such an illusion as that by this Bill the Colonial Debt tnipht be wiped off. j | The Hon. Mr Holmes thought the Bill was highly desirable, and calculated to benefit the Colony, irrespective of its mercantile success. The Hon. Mr Mantell thought it was a futile attempt on the part of the Government to do what was beyond their functions, and could only be a success in providing billets for adherents. The don. Captain Fraser was pleased with the Bill, and would have been more so had it come before them in its entirety. The Hon. Mr Buckley supported the Bill, regretting it did not go far enough. The Hon. Mr Menzies opposed the Bill, as he thought forests could not be conserved by any action taken by the Government. The Hon. Mr Robinson spoke in favor of the measure, knowing by experience the advantage of forest planting. The Hon. Mr Bonar thought the objects of the Bill highly desirable, and gave it his cordial support. The Hon. Mr Williams also supported, the measure. The motion was carried on the voices, and Bill be read second time.