GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1257, 25 October 1884, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 on Wednesday, The Hon. Mr Reeves, of Christchurch, took his seat and the oath. ’ - The Hon, Captain Fraser asked that when vacancies in Council are being filled up, Government would take into consideration the preponderance of North Island members in the Council, and particolarly the number of Wellington memOn the motion of the Hon. Mr Chamberlain, it was resolved that in the opinion of the Council it is desirable that the colony should recognise by suitable means the heroism of those who have distinguished themselves by saving the lives of their fellow colonists. The report of the Sheep and Rabbit Committee was agreed to. The Cruelty to Animals Bill was read a third time and passed. The Council adjourned at five minutes past four. mi_ j In the Legislative Council on Thursday, A number of Bills were read a third Animals Prot action Bill, Sheep Bill, Kowai Domain Bill, and Thames Recreation Bill, were reported without amendment, and ware, with the Tauranga School Site Bill, read a third time and PS The Hon. the Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway Construction Bill. , Mr Miller moved that the Bill be read a second time six months hence. After a debate, the tenor of which was against the Bill, Mr McLean moved the adjournment of the debate next day, which was agreed to on the voices.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. In the House on Wednesday, Replying to Mr Smith, the Hon. Mr Stout said that a small allowance would be made to postmasters doing telegraphing for the extra hour’s work per day. Telephone workers will be paid in proportion to the extra messages dispatched during the extra hours. In telegraph office where there are more than one officer, no such allowance will be made, as the officers can arrange to get off time in . rotation during the hours of labor. Replying to Mr Whyte, the Hon. Mr Richardson said no rule existed as regards Jhe age over which railway laborers are employed on Government lines. That rule only applied to the ordinary staff As a matter of course, the youngest and ablest applicants got a preference. Several other questions were replied to. The following Rills were read a third time and passed --Government Insurance Association, Public Works Amendment Waikato Confiscated Land, Drainage of Mines, Supreme Court Registrar, and Taranaki Empowering. The whole cf the evening sitting was taken up with a debate on the North Island Main Trunk Line of Railway. The Hon. Mr Richardson moved — ** That the report of the North Island Trunk Railway Committee be taken, into consideration.” Sir George Grey moved, as an amendmen* 3 Major Atkinson seconded the amendment. Mr Stout supported the central route, urging it would tap the most valuable moved aa_ an amendment—“ That the final selection of route be deferred until a complete survey be made of the Stratford route ” Mr Samuel moved the adjournment of the debate, and this was carried, to be resumed on Friday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursto Mr T. Thompson, the Hon. Mr Tele said the Governor’s lecture on the defences of the colony would be published in pamphlet form and distributed throughout the colony. ■ Replying to Mr Bradshaw, the Hon. Mr Richardson said steps would be taken for preparing red and white pine sleepers Iby the creosote system, instead of employing imported woods. The Hokitika Tug Bill passed its second and third readings and was passed, as also was Mr Steward’s School Committees Election Bill, and the Municipal Corporations Act 1876 Amendment Bill, On the motion of Mr Downie Stewart, the False Notice of Births, Marriages and Deaths Bill was read a third time and pawed. to Animals Act iB6O Amendment, and Constitution Amendment Bills were, on the motion of Sir George Grey, withdrawn. . Mr Taiaroa moved the second reading of the South Island Natives Act 1883 Amendment Bill. After stating the object of the measure, he agreed to its adjournment for three weeks 3 which was Ca Sir Grey moved the second reading of the Printers and Newspapers Registration Act Amendment Bill,--The Hon. Mr Stout said he had no objection to the measure, and referred to what he described as the trades unionism which .existed among newspapers, and which practically prevented new papers from starting He hoped to see that instrument dealt with before long.-The Bill passed its second and third readings and was Grey withdrew- the Gold Duties Abolition Bill, on the understand-

in" f hat the Government would consider ihe matter during the recess. Mr Guinness moved the second reading of the Armed Constabulary Act 1867 Amentment Bill. The Act proposes to give the police and armed constabulary the right to vote at elections. The Bill was read a second time.