GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 640, 16 October 1878, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, October 15. In the Legislative Council to-day, the Hon. Mr Reynolds renewed his motion for leave of absence, which was granted on a division of 18 to 12. The motion of Dr, Pollen for production of all papers connected with the Bay of Islands Electoral Roll was agreed to. The amendment by the House of Representatives in the Repeals Bill were agreed to. Thn Public Reserves Sale Bill was read a second time. Thf Invercargill Waterworks Loan and the Taranaki County Loans Bill were read a 'third time and passed. On the motion for the third reading ■ of the Parnell Reserves Bill, Dr. Pollen opposed on the ground. that the reserves should not be taken away from the Lunatic Asylum.

A division was called, which resulted ill the third reading by 8 against 3, The Wyndham Cemetery Bluff Harbor Endowment and Mount Ida Water-race Trust Bills were read a third time and passed.

The Land. Tax Bill passed through Com* nuttee, was reported, read a third time, and passed. In the Electoral Bill, on the 14th clause, (qualification), the Hon. Mr Waterhouse moved the insertion of the words <£ not being a Maori.” After some, discussion, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore accepted the amendment. The Committee adjourned to 7.30. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Welm&qton, October 16. In the House this afternoon Mr Mac* andrew, in reply to Mr Bowen, said about fifteen miles of railway north of Amber* ley would be ready for tender in about a month. - Mr Stout, replying to Mr Stevens, said the Government would make a state* ment of their intentions with regard to immigration when the vote under that head came before the House. . Replying to Mr Barton, Sir George Grey said he had no reasons to. believe that the recent .change in the hours of the Customs Department would have any effect on the eight hours syatemj but if it tended that way the Government would return to the old system. The change was made because the Goyernrheht were anxious to afford every facility to ship* ping ; and the hours of officials were now one hour shorter than.at London, and two hours shorter than at New South Wales. The District Railways - Act Amendment Bill passed through .committee, and was read a third. time, "the only alteration being the- insertion of a new clause providing that debentures, should, not be sold at higher rate of interest than 7 per cent. ' •• •• ■? ' v -v-.- ;> .*;. : The Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Bill, and the Juries’Act Amendment Bill were read a third time .and passed. The Law Amendment ' tenichal measure dealing with rides of procedure m the Supreme Court—was being debated when the House adjourned.