GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 648, 25 October 1878, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, October 22. The Tiraaru Harbor Bill passed as amended. The Council appointed managers to confer with the other Chamber on the Sheep Bill. The Debtors and Creditors Law Amendment and District Railways Bills were lead a second time. The Council last night resumed the consideration of the Electoral Bill in committee. - Hon. Mr Waterhouse carried an amendment closing public Houses on election ■ days, on a division, by 15 to 18. 5 AfteiMihe adjournment, Mr Nurse moved •the recommittal of the Bill for the purpose •of reconsidering this amendment, which, after discussion, was struck out on a division by fifteen to fourteen. ' 'The, Public Revenues Bill was further in Committee, and the Council

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

, , , Wellington, October 22. , In the House to-day, , Mr, Woolcock asked the Minister of Public Works if it is the intention of the "Government to suspend (for the time h being), the harbor works at Greyraouth, and it so on what grounds. Mr Macandrew replied lie had inquired of the Engineer and learned the Government had no intention to suspend these works. .Dr. Henry asked the Government if they are in possession of any information as to the present condition of the roads leading from Nelson to Westport, Reefton 'and Greymouth, and their total inadequacy to accommodate the traffic requirements of those localities, and reqest that f if they are in possession of any report or ’ statistics on the subject that it be laid before the House. He said this was the main line between Grey and Westport, and it was in such a condition that people ,in the district were almost in a state of ‘-starvation, the necessaries of life being at famine prices. '■ Mr Macandrew said the Government ■ had received no information on the present state of the roads, but had a report .-relative to the condition of the road some months ago, which would be laid on the table td-morrow. t ‘ -Mr M*Lean presented a petition from Messrs Holt and M‘Carthy, of the Press c Agency, praying they may be placed on f aft equßl footing with regard to a. special wire with those of whom a monopoly was .'given* ' Mr Stout promised, in reply to Mr Curtis, to consider during the recess the ‘’Expediency of amending the law so as •to admit of the examination of prisoners on criminal trial. '• The motion for adjournment was negatived on the voices. The following orders of the day were -discharged from the paper:—Fencing, Fme .AirtS Copyright Amendment, Fish- j cries Preservation, Publicans’ Licenses, •-Rabbit Nuisance, Brands Registration, Impounding, Bribery, Dog Registrations, Wanganui - Harbor; Dunedin Botanical Gardens. ... < .Mr-- Sheehan , said, if. he drafted the Licensing Bill for next session it would be circulated- during the recess. He believed i the .best method would be to leave the fix-; ityg.pf license fees to the local bodies who i received them as revenue. ; j 'ln the House last night in Committee l oti the Rating Act 1 Amendment Bill, Mr Hodgkinson. moved 1 that the Chairman' leave the chair ; -which was negatived on .. a division ,by 40,t0 26y The Bill was reported ' In mimng the second reading of the .Lands Purchase. Bill, Mr Sheehan atlri'buted the cause of delay in native legislation to the pressure of departmental bhsi-1 ness. The whole of the West Coast native ■ . disputes had been referred to the .Govern- ' ment and Rewi for settlement. The Go- , vernment saw .no necessity for making radical alterations in the native lands law i this session, but would hold a conference ■ with the chiefs during the recess, and obtain suggestions for a measure next session. Meantime they would watch the i! operation of the Electoral Bill. He expressed regret at thewaste of the proceeds of land sales by the natives in intemperance. The Government officials would be absolutely prohibited from dealing pri- ■ * n na tivh lands. He denied that ‘ the ! Land Court was under the control of i S the Government; • • The present Act was intended to preserve the public interests. Mr Fox severely criticised the native Tjfdmiidstration as;' barren of any' policy, -%im-theTiative meetings at Waikato were puerile. He accused the Premier of fraternising.with murderers, and quoted newspaper reports in order to show the absurd character of the proceedings. He contended that the concessions all favored natures. •,v Mr Rolleßtonrregretted that no steps had permanent amelioration <^«-tnwfiati, te*race.- ■;/ • Messrs Marnlers; 1 Moorhouse, Wakefield, and others Yellowed. c- /x M* Sheiehah rfeplied, admitting the con-ference-With ffle Kooti. and the knowledge that Winiata was present at the meeting. Y .was agreed to, and *ne House adjourned at. 1.53.