GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2552, 7 November 1884, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[UNITED RESS ASSOCIATION.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, November 5. The Legislative Council met at 2.30. THE COCK-FIGHTING CASE. The Hon. J. N. Wilson called attention to the decision of the R.M. at Greymouth in relation to the recent cockfighting case at Marsden, and moved that some inpuiry should be made, or further proceedings taken. He said this was a very common practice in that part of the colony. The police were quite well aware of what was about to take place, the whole thing being absolutely public. He hoped the Colonial Secretary would teach the magistrate a sharp lesson, because it was his duty to direct a fresh information to be laid. The Hon. J. A. Bouar said, in order to show that it was not so public as stated, he was on the West Coast when the cock-fighting took place, and never heard of it until referred to in the Council. He thought the Council should be very careful in interfering with a magistrate's decision, unless they had the whole of the facts before them. The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse said the object of the resolution was to enable both sides to be heard. Me held that the resolution did not impugn the decision of the Magistrate, but merely stated an opinion of the Council that a farther inquiry should be made. The Hon. H. H. Lahmanu emphatically denied that such a discreditable occurrence was frequent. This was the second time during his residence of 17 years on the coast that such a thing had taken place. The Hon. G. M'Lean thought it was most undesirable that the Council should interfere with the magistrate, and moved the previous question with the view of leaving the matter in the hands of Government. The Colonial Secretary said, the Government were instituting inquiries into the matter. The previous question was carried by 16 to 12. WESTLAND EDUCATION DISTRICT SUBDIVISION BILL. November 6. On the motion for the committal of the Westland Education Subdivision Bill, a discussion ensued regarding the recommendation of the Select Committee that for a period of two years a commission should be appoiuted by the Government to take charge of educational matters in the Westland District. In Committee the bill was considerably amended, clauses 3,4, and 5 being struck out, tending in the direction of carrying out the recommendation of the Select Committee. Clause 3 repeals the " Westland Sub-division Act, 1883." Clause 4 enacts that there shall be an Education Board of the district of Westland, and an Education Board of the district of Grey, and that the election of the members of such Boards shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1877. The sth clause provides that they shall take office and hold their first meeting as the Governor shall appoint.