GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 260, 4 August 1877, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[PRESS AGENCY.] / ■ 1 ■ ■ ■ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. - Wellington, August 3. In the House there was ho business last night. At 3.30 to-day, Mr Sharpe gave nptice that he will move to abolish free passes on railways. ' ■ • The Native Lands Bill comes on for second reading on Tuesday.' The Premier, replying to Mr Macandrew, said the Government would let the House know their intentions re- - garding Sir J. Vogel and the AgentGeneralship when that vote came on. So far his duties were carried out satisfactorily. The Government, replying to Mr Travers, said : they hoped to be able to propose an appropriation for opening up by roads all isolated districts in the Colony. Several Bills were read a first time. Considerable discussion ensued upon the Impounding Bill, a consolidating measure which had made little alteration in the existing law. Ultimately it was read a second time, on the understanding it was to be referred to a Select Committee. ■ The discussion on the Fencing Bill, was kept up till the House rose.. Some hon. members arguing that the work should be left entirely to local bodies. August 4. The House resumed at 7.30. After some discussion, the Fencing Bill, the Sheep and Cattle Bill,'and the Slaughter Houses Bill were read a second time, and refeired to a Select Committee. On Mr Bowen moving the second reading of the Education°Bill,

several members wanted its postponement for a week, in order to afford time to elicit the opinion of the country upon it. Government on the other hand pointed out that nothing was to be gained by such delay. Ultimately the debate was adjourned on the voices. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, to pasß a few of the items which would not meet with opposition, Sir George Grey called upon the Government to postpone all business until they had disposed of Mr Rees' motion, expressing reprehension of Government, re the Waka Maori case and libel action. Mr Rees followed; in the same strain, saying that it was due to themselves to do bo. Mr .Woolcock here rose, and moved the motion relating to adjustment of taxation, of which he had given notice,previously. He spoke for over an hour, the burden of his speech being that the land should be taxed. After the usual adjournment the Premiercalled upon the Leaderofthe Opposition to state whether Mr Reea' motion was intended aa a vote of want of confidence, .because, although in moving it Mr Rees said it was not, yet now the leader, and otherssaid it was, and wanted it gone on with. If it was a vote of no confidence, Government wished to accept the challenge, and fight it out. The result was that a good deal of talk, which resulted in no business, took place until 12.45., when the adjournment of the debate was proposed and carried, and the House adjourned till Tuesday.