GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1237, 9 September 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Council on Thursday, the Hon. P. Buckley mentioned that the Financial Statement was now being prepared, and would be in the hands of members shortly. He took the opportunity of contradicting a rumor that the object of moving for the appointment of a Select Committee with regard to the North Island Trunk Railway was with a view to delay, and stated, on the contrary, the work would be carried out as speedily a* possible, as the Government believed that the railway vrould open a tract of country such as probably had not yet been seen in New Zaaland. A Select Committee wag appointed to inquire into the administration of the Sheep and Rabbit Act. Sir George Whitmore moved— *' That it is desirable in accordance with the understanding arrived at in 1879 between Sir John Hall, then the Premier, and a deputation of officers of Volunteers, that new field guns should be procured from England for the regiment of Artillery Volunteers." The motion was carried, and after one or two new Bills had been introduced th« Council adjourned. HOTJSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. Sir George Grey gave notice of a Bill for the abolition of postage on newspapera. The Hon. Mr Richardson gave notice that ho would move on "Wednesday for the appointment of a Committee to report upon the North Island Railway route, consisting of Sir George Grey, Mr Ormond, Major Atkinson, Mr Bruce, MrFitzberbert, Mr Gore, Mr Johnston, Mr Mitchelaon, Capt. Morris, Mr White and the mover. A number of unimportant questions were answered and several new Bills were introduced and read a first time. The Hon. Mr Stout moved the second reading of the Married Women's Property Bill. He said it was simply a measure to provide for a tendency in which the public feeling had already gone a considerable way. At present they could, by applying to a Magistrate, get the protection asked for. The Ministry, however, objected to compel them to make their affairs public in that way, and this Bill simply seeured that object. The motion was carried. The Licensing Act 1881 Amendment Bill introduced by Mr Shrimski was thrown out, it being considered that the clauses were too stringent. The Miners Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. Mr Shephard moved that Mr Steward be elecred Chairman of Committees. He enumerated the various qualifications essential to a Chairman, which he contended Mr Steward possessed. While he had nil along been true to his party be had not by any means been aggressive in his demeanor. On the contrary he had been quite as popular with his political opponents as with his friends. Mr Fulton moved as an amendment that Mr Hamlin be appointed. He made the amendment in no party spirit, and certainly in no hostile spirit. The question was, had Mr Hamlin forfeited their confidence? If they carried the motion it would be virtually censuring him. He was told " No," but that whs his firm conviction. Mr Hamlin had exhibited all the qualities essential to a good Chairman. After several members had spoken in favor of both candidates, Sir Julius Vogel called on all the supporters of the Government to rally round them *nd support them on this point, a point to which they attnclied considerable importance. The division was then taken and resulted as follows : Ayes 26.—Ballance, Barron, Bevan, Bnidnhaw, Brown, Cadman, Duncan Guinness, Harper, Lance, Macandrew, J. McKenzie, Montgomery, O'Connor, rte< j s, E. Richardson, Seddon, Shephard (teller), Shiimski (teller), Smith, Stout, Sutter, Turnbull, Vogel, Walker, W. White.

N oe 3 40—AHwrighl, Atkinson, Bruce, Bcethan,. Bryce, W. F. Buckland, Conolly, Cowan, Daroaville, Fitzherbert, Fraser, Fulton (teller), Grey, Grigg, Hakuene, [latch, H. Hirst, Hobbs, Harsthouse, Joyce (teller), Lake, Larnach, Levestam, Locke, Mitchelson, Mobs, Newman, Ormond, Peacock, Pearson, G. F. Richardson, Rolleston, Russell, Samuel, Tainroa, Te Arc, f. Thompson, Wakefield, J. B. Whyte, Wi Pore. Pairs- Ayes : Holmes, O'Callaghan, McMillan, Coster, W. D. Stewart, Gillies, Morris, Tole, M. J. S. McKenzie. Noes—C. Johnston, BuchaDan, Fergus, McArthur, Trimble, Wilson, W. J. Hurst Moat, Ross, J. H. Bucklaad. On the question that Mr Hamlin be elected, Sir George Grey moved a further amendment—" That the election of Chairman be adjourned until they had an opportunity for altering the Act fixing the Chairman's salary." On the question being put the motion was carried on the voices, and the House rose at 10.35 p.m. until Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.