GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1121, 14 July 1883, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

In the House on Wednesday The Hon Mr Rolleston atkel for leave to lay on the table a list of the pre-emptire rights in Canterbury, and in doing do called attention to the fact that it bad been alleged that information re these rights had been improperly withheld, wherein the list had been laid on the table as far back as 1879.

Replying to Mr O’Callaghan, tha (Ton Major Atkinson said it was intended to bring down an amended Counties Act, in which provision would bo made for keeping public roads clear of gorsn . Replying to Mr Levestam, the Hon Mr Johnston said a Bill for taxing property increased in value by the construction of public works would shortly be brought down for consideration of Parliament. Replying to Mr Bracken, the Hun Mr Bryce said he had no power in law to prevent Carey and other Phoenix Park informers from coming to New Zealand if they thought fit. Replying to Mr Shaw, the Hon Mr Dick said a bill to provide for the arrest of husbands deserting their wives would be brought down.

Mr Hutchison moved for leave to introduce a Bill to repeal the Contagious Diseases Act 1868, He argued that under the law as it existed a woman might, on the certificate of a medical surgeon, be detained iu prison for a period of three months, without the chance of being heard in her own defence.

After a long debate 19 voted for end 42 against the motion, which was lost. The debatcon Mr Montgomery’s Local Government proposals as resumed by Mr Levestam. He accused the Government with having entered into a compact with the Nelson members in 1879 to make the Nelson Railway the rate of 10 miles a year but nothing had been done since. Government had now entered into a compact with Canterbury members to make the West Coast Railway. Major Atkinson denied the statement. Messrs Thomson. Fish, and Holme* denounced centralisation and supported the motion. Messrs Munro and Connolly

opposed it. The debate was continued by Messrs Fyke, Moss, Macanirevv, Hutchison, Fitzgerald and Harris in support of the motion, and Messrs Bryce and Tawhai against it. The debate lasted all the evening until 12,50 a.m., when the House adjourned.