LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5430, 22 August 1878, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

‘Wednesday, August 21. Tho Hon. tli3 Speaker took tke chair at 2.30 p.m. papers &c. Some papsi'3 were laid on the table, petitions were presented by the lions. Mr. Miller and Mr. Hall, and some notices of motion given. ADD HESS TO THE QUEEN.* The Hon. Captain FILVSER brought up au address to her Majesty on the successful termination nf the Berlin Congress. The address was read, ordered to bo printed, and to be considered at a future day. . PERSONAE EXPLANATION, The Hon. Colonel Will T-MORE said that on Friday last, daring tho debate which arose on the motion of Dr. Pollen for the production of despatches from tho Secretary of State to his -Excellency, lie had used an expression which he desired to explain. Mr. Hall said,he (Colonel Whitmore) saw from the slips, that the custom of sending despatches had been discontinued, and he (Colonel Whitmore) used words to the effect that it had been. .That was very far from his intention. His Excellency had, so far as he knew, sent every despatch that had arrived. THE OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL. The following report from the Standing Orders Committee was brought up;— That it appears, on reference to the journals of the Legislative Council, under date December 7, 187 7, that the Council adopted the recommendation of this committee to the effect that provision should be made for an Usher of the Black Rod, and tint the coarse taken by the hon the Speaker in placing such provision upon the Council estimates was therefore in obedience to the commands of the Council. That under the circumstances of the House of Representatives having struck out the vote for the Usher of the Black Rod it is, in the opinion of this committee, desirable that the Council should be informed what course the Government propose to take iu the matter of the appointment above referred to. That the general question of the establishment necessary for the due performance of the functions of the Legislative Council be adjourned until after the Council shall have expressed its pleasure on the above resolution ; but, iu order to prevent the inconvenience which would arise out of differences betyeen the Council and the House of Representatives on the subject, the committee is of opinion that an agreement should be sought between the two Houses by means of a conference, in accordance with precedent in the Imperial Parliament. Notice was given of a motion for the adoption of the report on a future day. TRADE UNION BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. INTERPRETATION BILL. This measure was read a second time aud referred to a select committee. LAND CLAIMS FINAL SETTLEMENTS DILL. The second reading was moved by the Hon. Colonel Whitmore who explained that a final settlement of certain claims was proposed to be made by this Bill. The Hon. Sir F. D. Bell, Colonel Brett, Dr. Pollen, and Mr. Mantell spoke shortly on the measure. The BUI read a second time, and referred to the Wasto Lands Committee. WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOL. ' The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS moved the second reading of this Bill. The only section needing explanation was the 16th. It provided for the selection by commissi mere of sufficient laud from the Otago education reserves to bring in £SOO per annum. The land had been set apart by the Provincial Council, and the clause gave the commissioners the power of selection. The Hon. Mr. HOLMES seconded the motion, and gave particulars of the school aud district. The reservations would not trench on any other object. There were 734,400 acres of rural laud reserved in Otago for educational purposes. The Hon. Colonel BRETT was of opinion that the country was over-educating its children.

The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE pointed out that tho reserves in Otago were let at present at a very low rental. ' Therefore, if land were reserved which now brought in £SOO a-year they would have to take reserves which would eventually bring in £30,000 or £IOO,OOO a-year. Ho considered that it was probable that the whole of the land in Otago to be devoted to the purposes of higher education would be absorbed by Oatuaru.—[Mr. Reynolds ; No.] The Hon. Ur. POLLEN had a great objection to the Bill. Such Bills unfairly monopolised an endowment which was made in view of the future. There was another objection. It took away all the power and discretion given under the Act passed last year. He most earnestly protested against the greed which would devote to the uses of the present that which was intended for the future. The Hon. Mr. MILLER followed. He defended the measure at some length. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE thought it would be a pity to depart from the rule laid down last session. He would therefore move that the Bill should be referred to the "Local Bills Committee. He should be inclined to support the Bill. The Hon. Sir U. Bell, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Grey, and Mr. Robinson having addressed the Council, Colonel Whitmore’s amendment was agreed to, and the Bill was seat to "the Local Bills Committee. EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR BILL. In committee, on clause 2, the amendment of Mr. Waterhouse, to add the words, —“Provided that such appointment shall only continue so long as one of the Ministerial offices is filled by a member of the Legislative Council,” was concurred in by the Colonial Secretary. The Bill was passed through committee without further amendment. OAMARU WATER WORKS. The Hon. Mr. MILLER moved the second reading. Tho Bill was necessary, as money was needed to be devoted to purposes of reticulation, The debate on the motion was interrupted by the adjournment hour. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m.