GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 624, 27 September 1878, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, September 26. The Te Aro Reclamation Bill was shelved by the report of the Committee declining to suspend the Standing Orders. Mr Macandrew informed the House that the railway north and south of Christchurch was injured by flood; twd spans of the Rangitata bridge and 120 ft had been carried away. Free passes to volunteers or fire brigade men on duty are promised. The report on the Electoral Bill was brought up. Major Atkinson proposed that the Bill be recommitted for the reconsideration of clauses 5, 17, 18, and 24. Mr Stout opposed the recommittal as unnecessary, the matter having been fully debated. Mr M'Loan opposed the adoption of the report because insufficient time had been given to consider it. The Bill as amended had only been given to members that evening. Mr Gisborne thought delay would be useless. Later on the whole subject was then'fg* debated. Messrs Rolleston, Bowen,' Stout, Sutton, Sheehan, M‘Lean, Douglas, Fox, Swanson, Morris, Atkinson, Rees, Fitzroy, Tole, and Tawitd spoke on the subject, and the debate was interrupted by 5.30. p.m. Ml- Fitzroy asked the Government for a return re Hinemoa, asked for on Ausrust 2nd. The Premier said unforseen difficulties had occurred in furnishing the return asked for, but no unneccessaty • delay would take place!in completing it. September 27. At 7.30 p.m., the House resumed the debate on the Electoral Bill, and, after some discussion, the report of the Committee on the bill was carried on the voices, and the third reading of the bill was fixed for to-day. The House then went into Committee on the Land Tax Bill, but before proceeding with the business, considerable discussion ensued. Ultimately the Committee got as far as clause 2, which was amended as follows':—lmprovements mean houses and buildings, and include fencing, planting, draining of lands, laving down in grass or pasture, and any benefit which is unexhausted at tie time of valuation. Progress was f sported, and the House adjourned at 2.5 a,m.