GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 590, 17 August 1878, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, August 16. Mr Pyke presented a petition from the Catholics of Otago and Southland, ! praying tl eir schools may tie placed in the same position as other schools. Mr Fox gave notice to move for the production of all correspondence between the Governor and the Home Office since last session. Mr Reeves gave notice to move for legislation to restrict the influx of Chinese. Mr Fyke gave notice to move for a return of the nilmber of free railway passes issued. In replying to a question by Mr M’Lean, the Premier said the agents appointed under the Inscription of Stock Act were Messrs Larnach ,Julyan, Sergeaunt, and Ommany. About, that time Vogel had intimated he would probably resign the A gent. Generalship, and as the Government knew, was contemplating engaging in something else, the agency was not offered him. Replying to Mr Feldwick, Mr Macandrew said in the Fisheries Bill the Government would introduce there would be a Cliuse for prot- cting seal fisheries. Mr Ballance informed Mr Feldwick the Government were taking ateps to reorganise the volunteer force, and that all correspondence and instructions her tween the Government, the Crown Agents, the Loan Agents, and the Agent-G'‘iieral would be produced. In reply to Mr Bowen, a return was promised of the number of electors registered in the several electoral districts. Government Bills, giving effect to the financial arrangemetits were read a first time. The Martin (formerly Chief Justice) Annuity Bill was read a first time, ir.s effect is to increase the pension of Sir Wm. Martin from .£333 to £SOO annually. A ded of opposition was manifested against the Bill, 42; against .7 A second Imprest Supply Bill for another £250,000 was tead ‘a second time.

Mr Ballance explained the urgency of the measure in c-mseqhence of' the emptiness of,the Treasury. ~