GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 642, 18 October 1878, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, October 17. The Council to-day agreed with the amendments of the House of Representatives in the Juries Act. Hon. Mr Whitmore moved the second reading of the Customs Tariff Bill. Hon. Mr Reynolds condemned the Government scheme for altering the incidence of taxation. The debate was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, October 17. In the House to-day, Mr Reeves gave notice of a motion for an address to the Governor, praying him to place sums on the Supplementary Estimates for roads in the Inangahua, Totara, and Ahaura districts. He also asked the Postmaster-General if he would instit ite an inquiry as to the advisability of the

establishment of a telegraph station at Capleston or Boatmans. Mr Fisher replied that inquiries would be made on the subject, and a reply given at a future date. _ Notice was given of Bills to eatablish a high school at the Thames, and to amend the Public Debts Sinking Fund Act. Mr Reeves gave notice to ask the Government whether it will frame an Act during the recess to prevent the adultera--tion of liquors. The Gold-mining Districts Amendment Bill was favorably reported from the Goldfields Committee, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. In reply to Mr Murray, the-Attomey-General said the Government intended to proceed with the Municipal Corporation Act Amendment Bill this session ; and hi reply to Mr Feldwiok, the Premier promised to consider the question of the House sitting on Saturday, in order to enable members to proceed South on Monday. The House concurred in the recommendation to send down a message from the Government recommending that a clause be inserted in High Schools Bills, rendering the schools subject to inspection by an officer appointed by the Minister of Education. In reply _ to Mr Taiarda, the Native Minister said, in reference to the occupation by Natives of land at Waitaki, in the Middle Island, the Government would confer with the chiefs How in Wellington, but the Natives would be compelled to comply with the laws. Mr Barff asked, without notice, whether there was any foundation for the report that another murder had been committed by natives at Waimate Plains. Mr Sheehan said that some ‘of the Ngarawarua tribe went to Paukau in search of the murderer Hiroki, but were assaulted by natives of the place, and their horses taken ; but no lives were lost. He would visit the. district after the session, and take steps to vindicate the law. Te Whiti had not participated in the quarrel. The debate on the second reading of the Education Bill was resumed. Dr Wallis supported the Bill as unsec tarian, and not making undue concessions ,to Roman Catholics. .It only asked permission for all denominations to become auxiliaries to the State in the matter of education : he contended that the present system tended to destroy individual and parental efforts, wliile the State system was in the direction of communism and out-door relief. Mr Joyce said the Bill proposed an un* sectarian system, while the State system destroyed emulation and fosilised teachers. The House divided on the question that the Bill be read a second time. Ayes, 32—-Atkinson, Baigent, Barff, J. 0. Brown, Bunny, Curtis (teller), De Latour, Dignan, Douglas, Feldwick, Gibbs, Gisborne, Henry, Hursthouse, Johnston, Joyce, Kenny, Manders, M‘Minn, MurrayAynsley, O’Rorke, Pyke (teller), Reeves, Russell, Sharp, Sutton, Tawhiti, Tole, Turnbull, Wallis, Wood, Woolcock. Noes,3B—-Messrs Ballance, Beetham, Bowen, J. E. Brown, Bryce, Gutten, Fisher, George, Green (teller), Hamlin, Hislop, Hodgkinaon, Hunter, Kelly, Mac* an drew, Macfarlane, M‘Lean, Montgomery, Moorhouse, Moss, Murray, Nahe, Oliver, Richardson, Rolleston, Rowe, Saunders, Sheehan, Shrimski, Swanson, Stevens, Stout, Taiaroa, Takamoana, Teschmaker, Thomson, (teller), Wason, Williams. Pairs—For :—Messrs Driver, Richmond, Seymour. Against :—Messrs Fitzroy, Whitaker, Rees. On the question that the Bill be now read a second time tills day six months, Mr Barff said the division shewed the Government nuist amend the existing education system or they could not continue in their, seats. The motion that the Bill be read a second time this day six months was carried on the voices. The second reading of the Harbor Bill was carried on the voices. The House was in committee on the Sheep Bill when the half-past five adjournment arrived.