THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1613, 30 July 1872, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, July 28. In the House of Kepresentatives last night, the Public Trust Officers' Bill passed the second reading on a division, by twenty-three to fourteen. The debate on the Life Assurance Companies Bill was resumed by Mr Brandon, of Wellington, who defended the Mutual Provident Association. Mr Fitzherbert, of Wellington, condemned Mr Vogel's fulsome laudation of the G-overnment scheme, and the disparagement of private companies. He denounced the system of touting by Gcovernment lecturers as discreditable. Mr M ( G-lashanj _qf Dune^dinj^eulogiaed the Government scheme. Mr Yogel having replied, the second reading was agreed to. The second reading of the Drawbacks Bill was adjourned. The House, in Committee of Supply, passed an Imprest Bill for £100,000. Mr Yogel, replying to a question by Mr Rolleston, said that arrangements would be made to-day to take the tian Francisco mails south. The Health Officer has ascertained that several cases of small-pox occurred on board the Nebraska between Auckland and Honolulu, and that the clothing and bedding of the infected persons is still on board. The vessel is to be quarantined for fifteen days, and the clothes and bedding destroyed. The Provincial Councils Bill empowers the Councils to appoint tribunals to hear and determine the matters prescribed as under : — lncreasing the jurisdiction of magistrates and justices ; regulating their procedure ; scab in sheep ; sale of liquors; cattle trespass and impounding ; branding ; preventing the spread of thistles ; making and repairing highways ; valuation, assessment, levying and recovery of rates ; constructing and maintenance of boundary fences — provincial legislatures being empowered to inflict penalties to the amount of £500. The Public Petitions Committee, in reporting on the petition of Mr Livingstone, late master of the High School,

Dunedin, state that he has no claim for compensation. Several speakers censured the Government for the non-production of returns required by the Public Works Act. In reply to Mr Swanson, the Premier said the Government had no intention of introducing the Education Bill this session, the reason assigned being a difference of opinion regarding the principles of the Bill, caused by religious differences. The House in ten minutes voted £130,000 of imprest supply. The Tramway Bill was read a second time. Its object is to encourage the construction of tramways by local authorities.