THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1771, 25 July 1873, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

{BY ELECTRIC TELEGBJ.P&.) ♦ "Wellington, July 22. In the Upper House to-day the " Interest Bill" was thrown out by a large majority. It proposed to fix the statutory rate of interest at six per cent. A Bank Holiday Bill was introduced, to make the following close holidays, viz : — New Year's Day, Easter Monday, 24th May, if a week day, and the 26th December — bills of exchange due on any of these days to be due on the following day. Mr Fitzherbert haa given notice of motion for the introduction of a Bill for a loan of £210,000 to the province of Wellington. Mr Yogel stated to the House, with reference to the recent mail arrangements, that Messrs M'Meckan & Blackwood had repudiated the six months' contract entered into with their agent here. The Government had been in negotiation with the firm with reference to a three years' agreement, but had reserved the contract for the approval of the House. In the meantime arrangements would be made for the carriage of the next mail per Rangitoto. In reply to Mr Swanson, Mr Yogel said he was not aware of any correspondence between Mr Waterhouse and the Bank of New Zealand with reference to the public account. The following Bills were read a first time : — Law of Arrest Amendment, Leases and Sales of Settled Estates Act Amendment, Notaries, Local Councils in Native Districts, Regulation of Elections — General and Provincial — Loan for Wellington College, and Municipal Corporations Act Amendment. The following Bills were parsed : — Municipal Corporations Waterworks Amendment, and Assaults on Constables. The Telegraph Cable Bill, introduced by message from the Governor, was read a first time. On the second reading of the Animals Importation Prohibition Bill, the Premier read opinions expressed at the Intercolonial Conference, and also replies to official enquiries. The Government of Canterbury recommended the quarantine Bystem ; that of Napier thought the quarantine system only was necessary ; that of Auckland was entirely opposed to prohibition, and recommended inspection and quarantine where necessary. Mr Bluett said that, in committee, he would propose that the regulations adopted by the Canterbury Council should be added to the Bill. Prohibition would retard the increase of the wealth of the country. The people of Canterbury were entirely opposed to prohibition. Mr Gillies said the Government already had the power proposed by the new Bill, and that quarantine was sufficient. They might as well prohibit immigration for fear of small-pox. The Bill would place too much power in the hands of the Government. Sir J. C. Wilson, C.8., moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr Parker seconded Mr Khodes supported the Bill. Mr Eolleston suggested that an amendment of the Diseased Cattle Act would meet the difficulty. The Bill was thrown out on a division by 28 to 25. Wellltngton, July 23. In the House of Kepresentatives last night, the District Court Amendment Act passed its second reading. The Bill proposes to extend equitable jurisdiction in District Courts to £300. The Gold Mining Bill passed its second reading. A select committee has been appointed to consider the Civil Service Amendment and Permanent Officers Salaries Bills. The Premier, in reply to Mr Pox, said the Government had no intention of introducing a Permissive Bill this session. They would draft a Bill during tha session for the appointment of commissioners, having large powers, for the inspection and improvement of public houses, the prevention of adulteration, and the abolition of the granting of licenses by Justices of the Peace. The Juvenile Offenders Bill, and a Bill disqualifying holders of publicans' licenses from holding the office of Justice of the Peace, have been read a first time. The Joint Stock Companies and the Prisons Bills have passed their second reading. The latter is a mere consolidation Bill. The only new clause is one providing that the Governor may appoint a place for a penal establishment. Mr Cuthbertson asked the Government how many immigrants had been landed at the Bluff up to the present time, on behalf of the Government, exclusive of

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Messrs Brogden's immigrants, and what instructions had been sent to the AgentGenera] relative to further shipments of immigrants r Mr O'Rorke replied that the only vessel which had called at the Bluff was the Zealandia, with 319 passengers, of whom only 13 were Government immigrants Instructions had been sent to the Agent-General to send a ship direct to the Bluff with 300 immigrants. July 24. The papers relative to the proposed mail service between New Zealand and Melbourne have been published. They are to the following effect: — Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood and Co. will establish a service to and from Melbourne and Wellington, landing and receiving mails at the Bluff, Port Chalmers, and Lyttelton, up and down, for three years, at £5000 per annum ; the down mails to be delivered at Bluff Harbor seven days, Port Chalmers eight days, Lyttelton nine a-half daya, and Wellington ten and a-half days from date of arrival of the P. and O. Co.'s boat in Hobson'B Bay, the steamer to remain two days in Melbourne beyond the due date of the mail, but no longer. The steamer with the mails from New Zealand to Melbourne to be despatched from Wellington eleven days before the time of departure to Lyttelton, Port Chalmers, and Bluff Harbor, not less than six and a half clear days being given from the latter port to tranship the mails at Melbourne. A supp'ementary offer is made for the conveyance of the mails to and from Nelson, Greymouth, and Hokitika, landing and receiving them at the two latter ports, weather permitting, free of extra charge. The papers contain a telegram from Mr Macandrew conveying an offer from Messrs Dalgety, Nichols and Co., to deliver the inward Sues mails at Bluff Harbor, Port Chalmers, Lyttelton, Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth, and Hokitika, and receive the outward mails from these ports, beginning at Hokitika, and ending at Bluff Harbor, for three years, at £400 per month, the time being nine and a half days from Melbourne to Wellington, or computed from twentyfour hours after the arrival of the Suez steamer, within eleven days from Melbourne to Wellington. A further communication states that the last-named services would be performed at the price of £5000 per anuum, but it requires the sanction of Messrs M'Meckan and Blackwood. In the Legislative Council, the Hon. Mr Waterhouse, in moving the appointment of a select committee to report upon the Bill to provide for the reconstruction of the Council, said that the Lower House had no power to abolish the Council, as the matter was settled by the Constitution Act. A second chamber was highly necessary for good government. The existence of one chamber only, wherever tried, had proved a failure. The reviewing of the measures sent from the Lower House was not so important as the preventing one class from domineering over another. He showed the difference between the House of Lords at home and the Legislative Council here. The nomination here depended upon the exigencies of party. The Council could not offer any resistance to the popular pressure, and could not maintain itself against the elected body. He was therefore in favor of an elected chamber, which should bear a resemblance to the United States Senate. The qualification should be the same for both Houses, the duration of the Council being for ten or twelve years. After some further discussion the motion was postponed. In the House of Representatives today, the Premier said that the despatches from the Secretary of State were unfavorable to the establishment of a New Zealand Mint ; also that the Government did not intend to introduce a Bill authorising mining on private property. In reply to Mr Murray, Mr Richardson, Minister for Public Works, said that the material obtained in England for the public works was always tendered for. Tbe Education Bill has been read a first time. The Government promised to lay on the table regulations for the rewards for the discovery of goldfields. The Volunteer Land Scrip Repeal Bill has been read a second time. Mr M'Lean promises to introduce a clause in committee protecting existing rights. The Wellington Loan Bill was read a first time. Mr Yogel promises to make the financial statement on Tuesday next. Mr Yogel has obtained leave to introduce an Imprest Supply Bill for £260,000. The Sheriffs Act Amendment Bill has been read a first time. Major Atkinson moved for a copy of correspondence between any officer of the Government and W. Finnimore, Wanganui, relative to the purchase of a large block of land on the West Coast, known as the Railway Reserve. Mr M'Lean said he was just about to lay the papers on the table. Mr Fox moved that the correspondence should be read. A letter from W. Finnimore, formerly Government auctioneer at Wanganui, to Mr C. E. Haughton, Under-Secretary for Immigration, was read, in which tbe writer referred to sales by auction of certain lands, and went on to propose that he and Mr Haughton should enter into a land speculation, offering to pay Mr Haughton half the net profits. Mr Finnimore did not wish his name to appear. He proposed that the land known as the Railway Reserve should be sold to him at the upset price, and then sold by auction, the net profits to be divided. The writer offered to deposit £1000, but the transaction was to be strictly private and confidential. Finnimore referred to his services in the field, and said he might claim a large slice of land from the

7 Government. He had not got a rood, although the Government had twice ruined him. If Mr Haughton joined him, a large sum would be made. The letter was headed " private and confidential," and signed " Finnimore " Mr Haughton replied, stating that he could not regard the letter as confidential, and therefore handed it to the Native Minister. The latter has dispensed with Major Finnimore'B services, and has appointed Capt. Ray, of Patea, who is to conduct all land sales personally.