GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 265, 10 August 1877, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington August 9. The Government have taken steps towards establishing two Schools of Mines—one in Canterbury, and the t other in Otago. Select Committees have been appointed to enquire as to the best means T of establishing the manufacture of beet sugar; the system of railway management in the Colony ; the Sheep, Cattle, Fencing, and Pounding Bills. The debate on Macandrew’s resolution, re the construction of certain Otago railways, stands adjourned until next Thursday, in order to see what ; the Government Bill for the tion of branch railways is like. The circumstances under which the. Government paid off the overdraft of the Thames Borough, are to be enquired into by the Public Accounts Committee. . ■ ' y ' The Gold-fields Committee is to bo instructed to report what steps should be taken for the encouragement of prospecting for gold and other precious minerals; and what reward should be paid for the discovery of new goldfields. A (committee has been appointed to inquire into certain alleged acts of tele- - graph officials altering Press telegrams, . and to define what should be accepted. • as Press telegrams. , Mr Seymour moved to do away with free railway passes to hon.. members. The debate was interrupted, by 5.30. August 10.. Shortly after the House resuming, Mr Fox proceeded to move the second reading of the Local Option Bill. . He spoke for over an hour, in a vigorous and earnest speech in support of the Bill. He explained its principle and leading details, contending for the people, adult males and females, having the power to allow «r disallow publiohouses in their district, by a majority of two-thirdsthat voting papers be left at each house by the State, and also collected, and that there should be no compensation to publicans. The • following speakers opposed the Bill, i , mainly on the ground that it did not, provide for compensation, and being such an extreme measure must prove unworkable:—Messrs Wallis, Fisher, Manders, Bowen, Sutton, Barff, Harper, Gisborne, Richardson, and Rolleston. Three Maoris supported the Bill, also Messrs Wakefied, Thompson, and Pitzroy. The debate was adjourned at 12.40., to Wednesday, on the motion of Mr Tairoa.