THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1785, 26 August 1873, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEQRdPK.) Wellington, August 22. In the Houee of Representatives last night the Otago Waste Lands Amendment Bill (No. 2), was read a second time. On the motion of Mr O'Conor, leave was given to introduce a Loan Bill for works of utility in Nelson. The Gold Mining on Private Property Bill was read a second time on a division by 33 to 22. The Volunteer Land Act Repeal Bill has passed through committee amended so as to limit its effect to volunteers who have not already joined. The Disqualification of Provincial Officers Bill was negatived on a division by 44 to 12. Messrs Cutbbertson, O'Conor, and Steward supported the Bilf on the ground that constitutional reforms were impossible while Provincial officers were so strong in the House. Mr Reynolds said that Ministers considered the Bill a farce. Mr Fitzherberfc spoke strongly against private members initiating great constitutional changes, which should originate from the Government. The discussion lasted two hour*. The Immigrants Land Bill, introduced by Mr Yogel, provides for the encouragement of a better class of immigration by a system of land grants instead of free passages, so as to ensure bona fide settlement. The second reading of the Provincial Councils Borrowing Bill will probably come on next week. The Minister of Public Works, in reply to Mr Harrison, stated that the Government had received no application for a lease of the Mount Bochfort coalfield or the Bruuner mine. The following Bills were read a first time : — The Distillation Amendment ; Broughton Land Grant, and Native Land Fraud Prevention Act Amendment. Amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Telegraph Cableß Subsidy Agreement Ratification Bill were agreed to. The Province of Westland Bill is in committee. On the motion of Mr Harrison, it was resolved that coalfields shall not be under the control of Superintendents. The Life Assurance Companies Bill and the Evidence Amendments Bill have been committed. The House is now in committee on the Native Reserves Act Amendment Bill. August 23. The debate on the Native Reserves

Bill was continued till one o'clock this morning. Amendments and additions to \ several clauses were carried. Messrs Rolleston, Gillies, and Sheehan opposed the Bill. The latter proposed and carried many alterations. Mr Rolleston characterised the Bill as a jumble of all the Native Acts, badly drawn, and worse than the Acts themselves. It will be passed through committee and read a third time on Tuesday. The session is expected to be of the usual length. August 25. In the House to-night, Mr Taiaroa presented a petition from the Natives of Hawke's Bay and Wellington against the Native Reßetves Act Amendment Bill. Tbe Diseased Cattle Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. The Native Reserves Act Amendment Bill was read a third time. i Mr O'Rorke moved the second reading of the Promissory Oaths Bill, which was carried without discussion. The Weights and Measures Act Amendment Bill is now on.