GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 1477, 22 June 1881, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[new zealand press association.] Tuesday, June 21. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. To-day, a number of Bills prepared by the Statutes Revision Commission were received by message, and read a first time. Waterhouse moved the second reading of the Married Women's Property Protection Bill, which was agreed to, and the Bill referred to a Select Committee. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. Mr Dick presented a petition from the Otago Bible iu Schools Society, praying that provision should be made for Scripture reading in schools. Replying to questions, Ministers stated— Government would take into consideration the necessity of introducing a Bill for the endowment with waste lands of hospitals and charitable institutions, similar to that introduced last session by Mr Stevens. The provisions of the law would be strictly enforced against the introduction of small-pox from the Australian Coloniesi Government proposed to introduce a local Public Works Bill, the provisions of which would be more ample than the Bill of last session. Steps had beeu and would continue to be taken with a view of carrying out the recommendation of the Industries Commission re assistance to be given in the development of coal, gold, iron, and other minerals, on the West Coast of the Middle Island. Inquiries would be made relative to the best means and probable cost of improving the outer harbor of Nelson, in respect to any injury resulting from the Waimea river changing its course. On the motion for reporting the Chinese. Immigration Bill, Reeves moved that the Bill be recommitted, in order that the £lO penalty be increased to £SO. Atkinson objected to the amendment, which was negatived on a division by 35 to 23. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. The Licensing Bill was further considered in committee. On clause 31 (bottle licenses), Swanson moved that the clause be struck out. Stewart moved a further amendment that these licenses be restricted to the provincial districts within which they are at present granted. Stewart's amendment was carried on a division by 37 to 27. Tole moved a further amendment that no licensee be allowed to carry on any other business within the premises so licensed. Division Ayes, 30; Noes, 28. A motion to report progress was rejected by 53 to 11, and the House rose for dinner at 5.30.