GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 304, 14 September 1877, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, September 12. Mr Ormond objected to this—all rolling stock ordered was urgently required, and was now being’made at home. He had within the last month refused to sign an order for home for -£9OOO worth of plant, tenders for which would be invited in the Colony, Mr Montgomery thought- locally made articles should be preferred, if not costing above 10 per cent, more, Mr Macfarlane, speaking from experience, said locally made engines were superior to imported, but wheels, axles, and springs had to be imported. Mr Seaton quoted the inducements offered to mechanics to emigrate, and urged that it was the duty of the Government to find them work.

Messrs Pyke, Travers, Richardson, Aynsley, Bastings, Gibbs, and Gisborne having spoken, a division took place on Mr Macandrew’s addition with the following results Ayes, 20; noes, 23. Mr Stout moved another addition— That specifications should provide that all articles which couldlbe manufactured in the Colony should be so. After a division this was lost br 25 to 27,

The debate on the original motion was interrupted at 5.30. September 13. Dr. Hodgkinson moved the second leading of the Deceased Wife’s Sister Marriage Bill, and urged that such marriages are unobjectionable, either religiously or socially, and in many cases highly desirable.

Dr. Wallis opposed the Bill, as rendering legal here, what was illegal and immoral in England; it would destroy family peace and comfort, and lead to impurity in thought and deed.

Mr Barff opposed the Bill, which on a division was read a second time by 41 to 23. J

The Auckland Harbor Foreshore Sale Bill was read a second time. The Port Chalmers Mechanics’ InatiReserves Bill, and the Tapanui Agricultural and Pastoral Association Bill were read a third time and passed.

The Canterbury Reserves Act Amendment Bill, and the Christchurch City Reserves Bill were further consh dered in Committee.

The Local Option Bill in Committee, the word “ majority” in clause 12 was struck out on a division by 22 to 21, and the word “ two-thirds” was inserted.

The further consideration was adjourned for a week. The House rose at 12.30 a.m.

The House met at 2.30.

In reply to Mr Rees Major Atkinson said that justification, was pleaded'in the Waka Maori case on the advice of the law officers and council. The House would be asked to vote the costs and damages. Major Atkinson replying to Mr Ballance promised the papers relating to Murimotu Block.

New Bills introduced :—Horonui Education Reserve Bill, (Stout), Settlement Works Advances Act (Reid), Volunteers and Others Land Bill (Reid), Dunedin Gaol Street Contraction Bill (Reid), Dunedin Corporation and Harbor Board Bill (Larnach). A long discussion took place in Committee on Mr Sharp’s motion concurring in the report of the Sugar Beet Committee that no alteration should be made in the duty on imported sugar and no excise duty be imposed for ten years. Progress was ultimately reported, and leave was obtained to sit again.

As a personal explanation, Mr Ormond desired to withdraw the remarks he had made in his speech on Mr Rees’ motion, implying that Sir George Grey wag a partner in the Taapo Land Co., when the letters abont “ ground, bait, &c,” were written. He had misunderstood the information given him, and desired to withdraw remarks based on misapprehension.

Burn’s Railway Rolling Stock motion as amended by Sheehan, was agreed to on the voices without further discussion.

September 14. After the adjournment Mr Pyke’s motion for long service pay being continued to Provincial police was withdrawn on the assurance from Government that the sum required would he placed on the supplementary estimates Sir G. Grey complained of Mr Ormond’s persona] explanation being made in his absence.

Mr Ormond repeated what he had said before dinner.

Messrs Sheehan and Rees said it did not touch the real charge at all, which was that Sir G. Grey had, for personal interest, abused his position as Governor.

Sir G. Grey said he treated the charge and its author with contempt.

He had evidence to prove that at the I very time the land company was en* deavouring to procure the Taupo, the company was trying to assist Native owners to stock a part of the very land the company wanted. After a long discussion Mr Crown Redress Extension Bill number one was read a second time on a division of 48 to 3. Its object is to enable the middle island natives to bring fore the Supreme Court alleged Unfulfilled promises made by Col. Oakfield and others when land was bought. South Rakaia Road Board Bill No. 2 was read a second time on division of 25 to 19. The Oamaru Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute Reserve Bill wasread a third time. The House rose at 1.10.