GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 288, 6 September 1877, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wellington, September 5. The Houss met at 3.30.

Replying to questions Ministers stated (1.) They were obtaining information with regard to the case Hacker v. Forbes, and Dalrymple, and Co. Masterton, with the view to ulterior proceedings against Dalrymple, a certified accountant in bankruptcy. (2.) It was nob intended to get Provincial district printing executed if it could be done as cheaply as in the Government office. (3.) It was not intended to introduce a dog Registration Bill this session. New Bills introduced:—New Zealand Consolidated Stock Bill, (Major Atkinson); Public Revenues Bill, (Major Atkinson). On the motion of Mr Barff, a Belect committee was appointed to consider the advisability of constructing a railway to connect Hokitika and Greymouth, and the proposed harbor works at Hokitika.

Mr Ree 3 drew attention to the pubin the New Zealand Times of evidence given before the Public Petitions Committee in the "case of M'Mann's imputing professional misconduct to him. He had replied to this in his evidence, and thought the Committee in justice should express an "opinion on the subject. Mr Kelly, as chairman of the Committee, said they were perfectly satisfied with the explanation given by Mr Rees.

Mr Dignan confirmed this. Mr Rees expressed himself quite satisfied.

Mr Woolcock moved that the present laws relating to franchise and electoral matters are unsatisfactory, and that the Attorney-General be asked to fulfil the promise of last session to introduce a Bill dealing with the whole question, so as to be able to pass it this session. Mr Whitaker admitted the promise, and stated that a Bill was prepared, consolidating the present 35 into one of 170 clauses, dealing exhaustively with the whole question, but it was impossible to hope to get it through this session. It wouid be introduced the first day of next session.

Sir George Grey objected to the postponment, and to the statements of Mr Whitaker, and he would press forward his own measure.

After some remarks from Messrs Reynolds and Hodgkinson.

Mr Woolcock asked leave to withdraw his motion.

Mr Hodgkinson objected, and the motion was negatived on the voices. The Government agreed to Mr Tairoa's motion for £SOO to be placed on the Estimates to complete- the road from the Maori Kaik to the lighthouse at Tairoa Head.

Mr Sheehan's motion was agreed to for a Committee to enquire into the Poverty Bay land purchases, and the dismissal of the Land Purchase Commissioner, J.A. Wilson. The debate on the Native Land Bill "was ordered, on the motion of Sir B. Douglas, to be printed in Maori and circulated.

Mr Thompson's motion to remit the fines on Crown grants, was negatived after a long discussion in Committee. Mr Fox moved for instructions to be given to the police regarding the suppression of sweeps, gambling, raffles, and sales of spirituous liquors to natives; also prosecution and conviction for these offences. He urged the Government to instruct the police to enforce the law in these respects. Messrs Carrington and Rowe supr ported this.

Mr Bowen said the Government would do all they could to enforce the law.

September 6. The following Bills were read a second time:—The Lawrence Municipal Water Works Bill, the Ohristchurch City Reserves Bill, the Canterbury Rivers Act Amendment Bill, and the Auckland College and Grammar School Bill.

The Law Societies Act Amendment Bill, the City of Wellington Loans and Consolidation Act Amendment Bill, passed through Committee. After a long discussion in Committee on the resolution for an address to His Excellency the Governor to take steps to carry out recommendations of the Goldfields Committee reward for new discoveries, the motion was carried, with an amendment, that in estimating population on the goldfields the Chinese are not to connt, and that rewards be payable for the diaqovery of a new class of workings on old goldfields.

In committee on the Local Option Bill clauses 2,6, 7, and 8 were struck out without division; further consideration was then adjourned for a week. The Poi-t Chalmers Library Bill, the Tapanui Pastoral Agricultural Association Bill, the Crown Redress Extension

Bill, the No. 2 St. Andrew'Clmrch Trustees Incorporation Bill, e Fine Arts Copyright Bill, and the "ellington Reserves Bill were read second time.

The Auckland Provincial Council Library Bill, vesting the liary in City Council, passed throug Committee. The Auckland Site Bill was read a third time. Conference with Council \s appointed regarding the disagreennts on the Auckland Highway Distrio Validation Bill. The House adjourned at .12.2