GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1194, 24 June 1884, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Gouucilon Saturday, A message from the Governor notified that he had given leave for the session to Mesßrs Peter and Martin. It was agreed that the private and local Bills should next session go on from the stage where they had been left this Bession, and the Council then adjourned till 11 a.m. on Monday. ■» HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the House on Friday evening, at the conclusion of the delivery of the Financial Statement. In reply to Mr .Richardson, the Hoc. Mr Mitchelson said it was not intended to make any Public Works Statement. Mr J. W. Thomson contended thers was a larger deficiency than £150,000 as stated by the Treasurer. They were already three months into the financial year, and they were asked for other two months' Supplies, making in all five months, so that the deficiency would be thai proportion of time in excess of £150,000. This fact, for political purposes, in the present state of the colony was made light of. The Customs revenue was over-estimated by £123,000 and the railway receipts by £56,000, and altogether the income of the colony for the last year had been over-estimated by at least £205,000. That fact in itself should be sufficient to make the Treasurer ashamed of himself in having expended £187,000 in excess of the income. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. in Committee of Supply, and Mr J. W. Thomson resumed the debate on the Financial Statement, arguing that the condition of affairs was such as to create the gravest possible doubt. Our finances seemed to be going from bad te worse. Other members critised the Statement and the House adjourned at 9.35 p.m. till 11 next day. In the House of Representatives on Saturday, The Hon. Major Atkinson moved that the House go into Committee of Supply. Sir George Grey moved, as an amendment—'That the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown should be taken as to the action of the "Waste Land Board of Canterbury in the case of Albert Walker.' The amendment was negatived after discussion, Government saying the case would be brought before the Supreme Court. The Premier announced that the Wakatipu would be detained until Tuesday for the convenience of southern members.

In reply to Mr Shrimski, the Premier said Government were advised by the Law Officers, that they had -no power to bring Otago dummyism cases before the Supreme Court. In reply to Sir George Grey as to whether Government would also assist the kauri gum-diggers to briDg their wrongs before the Supreme Court,the Hon. Mr Rolleston pointed out thit the system of leasing gum lands had bean established by Sir George Grey himself, when Superintendent in 1876. The Hon. Member's conduct in this matter had be. n never honest nor upright. Sir George Grey moved that these words be taken down. The motion was negatived on the voices.

Mr McKenzte blamed Mr Kolleston for re-appointing the members of the Otago Waste Lands Board. Mr J. Green defended the action of the Board, and of the Minister of Lands. Mr Fish condemned both.

The discussion was continued by Messrs M. W. Green, Shrimski, Holmes, Fitzgerald, Fulton, and Seddon, until the adjournment at 1 o'clock until 230 p.m. The House re-assembled at 2.30. The Hon. Mr Rolleston said that he had certain information in confirmation of his assertion that Sir George Grey was responsible for the lease of large areas for gum digging purposes. Mr Smith complained of the irregularity in the matter of nomination cf men to serve on the Land Boards in Hawkesßay. Tht motion for an ad oarnmsnt was

then put and negatived and the House went into Committee of Supply. On the motion that Supplies be granted for the period endiug 3lst August, Mr Montgomery, Mr Shrimski and others attacked the Financial Statement, alleging that the deficit was much larger than appeared. Major Atkinson defended the statement, and explained how he could have apparently reduced the deficit, whereupon Sir George Grey said that accounts so flexible were unworthy of consideration.

After Mr Turnbull had spoken, alleging that of the £3,000,000 raised from wool not more £56,0G0 was spent in the colony, and statiDg that ten millions acres of land progress, and the House adjoprned at 12.10 a.m. till Monday at 11 o'clock.

were thus alienated, Sir George Grey moved to report