GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1241, 20 September 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the House on Wednesday, Mr Hursthouse gave notice affirming the desirability of New Zealand coal alone being consumed at all institutions under the control of the Government. Mr G. F. Richardson gave notice to ask the following questions :—Have the Government, pending the determination of the route of the North Island Main Trunk Railway, taken action to prevent dealing in native lands likely to be affected by the said railway ? Do the Government intend this session to bring in a Bill to preserve to Government the sole right of dealing with native lands tor a distance of 10 miles on each side of the route which may be decided on for the construction of the North Island Trunk Railway 1

Replying to Mr W. White, the Hon. Mr Richardson said men at work in the railway goods shed were engaged subject to the rules and conditions of the Department, and were paid overtime for extra hours and Saturday work.

Replying to Mr Holmes, the Hon. Sir Julius Yogel said the telegram sent by the late Premier to the Agent-General, announcing bis (M-ijor Atkinson’s) return to offic e was charged to the public service. It was usual for announcements of this kind to be made to the Agent-General. He could not say until the accounts were received whether the reply from the Agent-General congratulating Major Atkinson on his return had been charged to the public account. The latter was received on the 29th August,.but did not come into the hands of the present Goverment until the 12th inst,, when it was given up by Major Atkinson. The office of the Agent-General was non-political. Major Atkinson was allowed to explain that the telegram was received by him at his house, and left there until his attention was drawn to the matter.

Replying to Mr Hursthonae, the Hon, Sir Julius Vogel said the Government would not introduce a Bill this session to grant the franchise to women. The following motions were adopted : —For the appointment of a Select Committee to consider the condition and grievances of the East Coast district, a petition therefrom to be referred to the said Committee (by Mr Locke). For an Address to the Governor, praying that a sum be placed on the Estimates to build the necessary house accommodation for railwav workmen on the various lines where such Is shown to he defective (by Mr Buchanan). Mr O’Uallaghan moved that the Rating Act, 1882, be amended in the direction of relieving tenants who have no beneficial interest in the capital value of property rented by them for agricultural or pastoral purposes.—The motion was carried.

Mr Holmes moved for a return showing tlie names and ages of the officers and clerks employed by the late Atkin-son-Rolleston Government to obtain information to enable the Government to frame the Civil Service Bill, of which all copies have been destroyed and the type distributed ; the respective number of hours such officers and clerks were engaged in obtaining and supplying such information ; the respective yearly salaries of such officers and clerks ; the cost of collecting and supplying such iutormation; the cost of printing such Bill ; the names of the persona who received copies of such Bill ; and the names of the persona who directed that the type from which such Bill was printed should be distributed, Major Atkinson replied giving the reasons the Bill was suppressed. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The Pensions Bill was read a third time and passed. On the motion of Sir George Grey, the Paper ly As»esment Act Repeal Bill was withdrawn.

Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Affirmation in Lieu of Oaths Extension Bill, which was carried. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Property Assessment Act Amendment Bill.

After a spirited discussion a division took place, and the motion for the second reading was lost, and a resolution was carried that the Bill he read that day sis months.

Several Bills were read a second time, and the House adjourned. In the House on Thursday,

Replying tc Mr G, F. Richardson, th« Hon. Mr Ballanca said the Government had under consideration the importance of preventing dealings in native land likely to be affected by the line, pending the determination of the North Island Main Trunk Railway proposals. iJe the dealings in these lands, a proposal for* reserving land to a distance of 10 miles on each side of the line would be sub mi tied to Members for consideration.

Replying to Mr Holmes, the Hon. Mr Richardson said the Government were disposed to deal fairly in the matter of employing persons anxious to support

themselves, but who could not find employment. Replying to Mr Fulton, the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel said there was no necessity to appoint a Committee of North Island Members to enquire into the route for connecting the East and West Coasts of the Middle Island.

The Otago Harbor Board Empowering Bill was reported, read a third time and passed. The Timaru Market Bill passed its second reading. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Members’ Honorarium Reduction Bill. He said if carrried Members who sat in the laat session would only receive half the amount, which was a fair compensation for their services. He had expected that the Legislative Council would have moved in this direction, and he included them in this measure, so as to relieve them from the difficulties of the situation.

After discussion the Bill was thrown out. Ayes, 23 ; noes, 43. Mr Steward moved the second reading of the Licensing Act Amendment Bill. He explained that the distinguishing features of the Bill were optional endorsements, triennial elections, and compensation in case of licenses taken away for no fault of the licensees. The second reading was carried on a division. Ayes, 38 ; Noes, 16. The Schools Inspection Bill was lost on the second reading, and the House adjourned at 12.50.