TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3283, 14 August 1872, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Tuesday, Acoust 13th. Mr McLean moved the second reading of the Maori Representation Bill, the object of which is to extend the present Act for five years, and also to give the Governor power to make alterations in tho boundaries of the districts. Mr M'Letwi spoke highly of the effect that I the experiment'had had on'the Native mind. , Mr Sheehah intimated his intention to proposo an amendment to increase the number of Maori members and alter the districts, ho as to make the representation that of tribes rather than that of large areas of country. Mr Fox thought that tribal representation was wrong in principle. He expressed his surprise that no Provincial Council had, followed the example of, the, Assembly, and, under the powers of the Act, introduced Maori members. Mr Fitzherbert promised to bear the subject in mind. 'Mr' Stafford thought that additional members1 should'be' given to the Waikato and Tauranga natives. : Several other members, including the Maori meaibers, supported the Bill, ami iw second reading w&s carried. The remainder of the afternoon sitting was speut in Committee'on the Deceased Wife's Sister Meiriiage BilL Mr Bunny moved that the marriage of ft woman with her deceased husband* brother be If g.ilise<l. The "motion was negatived by 33 to 18. A motion by Mr Stafforu, to legalise marriage with a wifeV nL'ce wns negatiyed by 2J) po 10. Mr Sheenan projposod that uuirriage ...with a wife's mother Should be legalised, 'bht afterward * withdrew his -proposal All these amendment* were moved with the avowed object of defeating the Bill. ! After a good deal of opposition, the Bill was altered so as to make its action prospective only, andnot retrospective." In this shape it spassed.through. Committee.. The Government liavo for the present I session withdnvwa,, tJie, Annuities Extension Biil ? in consequence of tlie feeling displayed in the* debates on the Life Assurance Companies Bill, abont the Government entering info, competition with private com j >iihie&. I A return to Mr Reid's motion shows !that Messrs'"Forest arid Co. and Mr iProudfoot,- offered to;construct 2QO mile*. <«f railway annually at 12 i per cent bellow tho Engineer's estimate, depositing ;2£ per cent of the cost as securi y.