GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1142, 30 August 1883, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the Legislative Council on Monday.

Sir G S Whitmore moved that the Council should not pass any Bills which they were not given at least 48 hours to consider. He said the Council made itself ridiculous by the way it swallowed Bills without consideration at the end of last session.

The Hon, Mr Whitaker opposed the motion an being impracticable, and, after some discussion, it was agreed to substitute the words ‘ reasonable time ’ for * forty-eight hours,’ and the motion was then passed. The Licensing Act Amendment Bill (Nol), and the Waimato High School Bill were read a third lime. The Gold Duties Abolition Bill was referred to the Goldfields Committee. In the House on Monday,

Mr M W Green moved the second feading'of the Otago Harbor Board Loan Consolidation Bill. The Bill was read a second time. At a later stage the Bill was read a third time and passed with amendments. The following Bills were passed through Committee Wellington College Land, Timaru Mechanics’ Institute Act 1877 Amendment, and Christchurch Cathedral Square. They were reported with amendments, read a third time and passed. The Hon Mr Rolleston moved the second reading of the Russell Exchange Land Bill. It was to give legal effect to an arrangement made many years ago.

Sir 3 Grey quoted from the correspondence published, and said the negotiations were not legal, although Mr Russell had been aide! by the Government officers of the day. iThero were two conditions stipulated for in the bargain. The first was to withdraw the purchase of a certain block, and the other was that he was not to enter into competition with the Government for the purchase of lands in the Upper Thames. Regarding the latter, that simply amounted to this, that Mr Russell, a man of wealth and influence, was to be rewarded for not doing what was illegal, viz., entering into competition with the Government, to the prejudice of the public interest. He asked the Government to show first that Mr Russell’s negotiations were in accordance with law, and, as regards the second, not to reward a man simply because ho refrained from doing what he was legally forced, as a good citizen, not to do. The most Government should do was to ascertain what Mr Russell had spent in these transactions, and thou come to the House and ask for power to refund the amount. Mr Turnbull complaimecl of the Bill being brought down so late in the session, and moyed the adjournment of the debate.

Mr J W Thomson gathered from the debate ibat this man, Mr Russell, was a man of large estate, who lived in great style in England, and had no intention of settling on these lands. He supported the adjournment.

On the amendment being put it was lost, and the Bill was, on the morion of the Hon Major Atkinion, referred to the Waste Lands Committee.

In the House on Tuesday, Mr Pyke brought up the report of the Joint Committee on the petitions regard-

ing grievances under the present Education Act. The report stated that as they had not been able to make an exhaustive examination, the Committee had no specific recommendation to make, except that the evidence should be printed. In moving that this be done, ho said that 126 petitions, signed by 19,763 persons, had been presented in support of a modification, and 49 petitions, signed by 4561 persons, in support of the existing system, They had taken evidence of those witnesses who had tendered evidence at their own expense, and from that evidence it appeared the Catholics, one-seventh of the population, had conscientious scruples against, and therefore could not take part in, the present system of education. That denomination had at its own cost erected 18 schools, in which 7743 children were receiving education. This was probably a saving of £30,000 a year to the State, Several members spoke against the printing of the evidence on the ground that evidence on the secular side had been refused, and that it was a one-sided affair.

The Government, however, supported the motion for printing it, and it was carried on the voices.

Replying to Mr Montgomery, the Hon Major Atkinson said Government was not yet in a position to say finally what measures would be dropped. That information would be forthcoming to-morrow. Meantime he could inform the House that he would ask for the discharge of the following amongst other Rills : —Harbor Boards, Settled Lands, Municipal Corporations, Impounding, Married Women’s Property, Auctioneers, Fisheries, Legislative Officers Salaries, Local Courts, Savings Banks, and Fire and Marine Insurance Bills.

The Leaseholders qualification Bill was read a second time. Iu Committee on the Counties Act Amendment Bill, Mr Cadman moved a new clause affirming the principle that the Chairman of a County Council should be elected by the ratepayers. Ayes 33, Noes 37, and the clause was rejected. Mr J B Whyte proposed a new clause affirming the principle of the Act being suspended on the petition of a majority, instead of, as at present, three fifths. Ayes 12, Noes 63, and the clause was rejected. The Bill was reported as amended. The following Bills were reported with amendments, read a third time and passed —Counties Act Amendment Bill, and Electric Telegraph Act 1875 Amendment Bill. The House rose at 1210 a.m.