GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1240, 18 September 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEQ-ISL A.TIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Council on Tuesday, A resolution was passed affirming that the administration of the law for the protection of young fish is unsatisfactory. Several Bills were rend a first time, and the Married Women’s Property Bill, received from the Lower House, wag also read a first time. The imprest Supply Bill (No, 2) wag read a third time and passed. Several Bills were read a second time, and the Council adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 on Tuesday. Several notices of Bills, etc., ware given. A nnmb«r of questions were asked and replied to. Replying to Mr Joyce, the Hon. Mr Richardson said £770 had accrued from fines inflicted on railway employees, which was in the hands of the Public Trustee, and no portion of this money had been dealt with in any way. Replying to Mr Steward, the Hon. Mr Richardson said the main south line between Waihao and Waitaki North would not be fenced in, in consequence of the enormous sum the work would take. Replying to Mr O’Callaghau, the Hon. Mr Tole said that although compulsory re-vaccination was not contemplated, every facility would be afforded to persona desirous of being re-vaccinated. Replying to Mr (Lillies, the Hon. Mr Stout said Government recognised the importance of giving parents a voice in the election of Governors of the High Schools, and if a Bill to that effect were ■ introduced Government wonld not opposo its passage. Replying to Mr Turnbull, the Hon. Mr, Richardson said the contractors who supplied tha defective axles were the Lancaster Waggon Company, Limited, and the Staffordshire Wheel and Axle Company, Limited, and the inspection was conducted by an Inspector (name unknown) in the employ of the engineers Herman, Falkner and Tancred, and Mr John Carruthers (acting for the Government of New Zealand in England). The carriage, truck and waggon iron-work received in the colony during the last twelve months, was all more or less bad, some very bad, and much of it had to be remade in the colony at a cost nearly as large as if made here in the first instance. A letter of complaint was written to the Agent-General covering the Enginocr-in. Chief’s repoit on the axles that had beeu tested, and forwarded by the San Francisco mail leaving on 22nd June last. This mail was due in London on the 2nd August, and the Agent-General had telegraphed warning the Government that the axles shipped by other vessels which were now arriving and still to arrive, are also dangerous. He could assure the House the matter would be followed up. A number of Bills were read a second time.

The House rose at 4.40 and reassembled at 7-30 p.m. After the financial statement had been delivered, in reply to a question the Hon. Mr Richardson said that it would very much depend on the nature of the debate on the Financial Statement, when the Public Works Statement would be brought down.

Major Atkinson said they could not possibly decide as to the projected loam until they knew how it was to be spent. He therefore argued that it was imperative the Public Works Statement should be brought down at an early dat*\ The Hon. Mr Stout argiuu . i '■ atheir duty to discuss the_ principle of tho Statement, for when the Financial Statement hud been discussed they would bring it down, and be prepared, as they were on the Financial Statement, to stand or fall by it. Each statement would have to be discussed on its own merits. Mi Homes contended that the Atkinson Government had followed exactly the same course now proposad to be followed by the Government. After it had baen arranged that the debate should be taken up on Friday evening, so as not to interfere with private members' business, the House adjourned at 9,5 p.m.