GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1132, 9 August 1883, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the Legislative Council last Tues-

In reply to Mr Wi'son, lyho Said hoped tlie"Government would follow examp'e of-tha Vi t;triaii ry in regard to Irish informers, the Hon Mr Whitaker said the subject was under consideration of (lie Government, and the Council should be informed of any decision come 10. 1 hough no one could have a greater d -testation of the crimes of which the informers had been guilty than the Government, there was this important consideration, that if the men were to be bunted from country to country it would deter any one from turning Queen’s evidence and prevent the consequent punishment of criminal!, but he thought that before the English

I Government to ‘ the Colonies tiie doloiues 'should have < been consulted. In the House of Representatives, ; pbfl of the Native Affairs Committee on the petition presented by the Hon Mr Bryce from tbe natives of Poverty Bay opposing the New Zealand Native Land Company’s 'Bill,' and making certain charges against the East Coast Land . Company, The report was to the effect that the matter of the petition was a proper su' jpct for enquiry in a Court of ’’ law, and that tbe Committee had no recommendation to make. He moved -"‘‘that the report lie on the table. Several amendments were proposed, and , the petition was generally condemned as a libellous, slanderous docunfent. A vei-y lively debate took place and ultimately the petition was ordered f to be exj>unged from the records of the i , House on the motion of Mr DeLautour, one of the men alleged to have been libelled by it. Mr Sheppard brought up an interim ; report from the Roads and Bridges J Consfjuction Act Committee, as follows :— “ lam directed to report that the Committee has come to the following resolution— * That main roads are those which connect two or more counties or road districts, or where there are no road boards, the ridings of a county, - or which connect a country district with a port.’ The Committee further direct me to ask for an of the order of reference, so as to ' r enable the Committen to review the whole of the roads . Gazetted last session as main roads, !• with a view of recommending a new schedule in accordance with tbe resolution of the Committee, and the opinion of the Surveyor-General as to what are main roads.” He moved that the power asked for should be granted. After a sharp discussion the powers asked fur were refused. Sir George Grey gave notice to more, on going into Committee of Supply, that the Premier of the colony should not be eolhitor to the Bank of New Zealand, nor should he receive any salary, fees or ■ emoluments from the Bank of New Zealand. The Bankruptcy Bill and Crown Grants Bill were read a third time and passed. The Hon Mr Rol'eston moved that the House concur in the arrangements made by tbe Government, subject to the approval of Parliament, with the New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited,

conveyance of immigrants and from Great Britain to New Zealand, as get forth in correspondence laid before the House on the Ist of August. In a long speech be* gave the history of the proposals for direct steam communication, and said the New Zealand Shipping Company had agreed lo take the service tor £30,t00 a year for five years. The Government had called for tenders, but none were received, which was very singular, as since then Shaw, Saville and Co. hai offered a service for no subsidy at all. Before Government got this offer they had arranged with the New Zealand Shipping Company, and they now asked Par.lament to ratify the agreement.

Mr Driver condemned the motion, and moved to have the whole affair referred to a Select Committee.

Mr Sheehan suggested to divide the work between the two Companies. A very long debate took place, uUi male.ly. resulting in Mr Oliver's amendment being carried, Mr Postlethwaite voted with the Government, Mr bhcehan moved as a further amendment that the Government passengers and freight be equally divided between both Companies, provided they both agree to the low rates, and that the destination be alternately to Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers, and the Bluff ; failing that, that fresh tenders be called for, and the lowest accepted. This was also carried, and the House adjourned.