GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1354, 18 June 1885, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

In the Legislative Council on Tuesday, A message was received from His Excellency the Governor announcing the resignation of the Hon. C. J. Pharazyn. In reply to the Hon. Mr Holmes, the Hon, the Colonial Secretary stated with regard to the Dunedin Southern market reserve, that the leases were offered at auction last December, but there were no purchasers. The Hon. R. Pharazyn inored that the Address which he had prepared in reply to the Governor's Speech be agreed to. He dwelt upon the various topics referred to in His Excellency's speech from the Throne. The Hon. Mr Bathgate briefly seconded the motion. After the Hon. Dr Grace had made a few remarks the debate was adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Tueaday. .. ' , A number of petitions were presented, and notices of motion given. The,Hon. the Premier said that since the House last met, Mr Sheehan, one of their number, had died at Petane, near Napier. On receipt of the news of Mr Sheehan's death Sir G. Grey requested the Government to place the Hinerooa at the disposal of Mr Sheehan’s relatives for the purpose of conveying the body to Auckland, a request which was at once complied with. He thought most hon. members were aware of the official positions which had been held by the deceased both in the General and Provincial Governments. He was the first British-born New Zealander who had been elected a member of the House of Representatives or appointed as a Minister of the Crown. In the House of Representatives he had always taken a prominent position, being a clear thinker and keen debater, while his natural kindliness of heart had endeared him to all the members in the House. He felt sure that all would regret that a young life of such promise should have been so soon cut down. As for himself, he (Mr Stout) could testify from association with Mr Sheehan, both officially and privately, to his kindness of disposition and many other good qualities. He would conclude by moving that the House adjourn till half-past seven o’clock, as a tribute of respect to Mr Sheehan’s memory,

Sir George Grey seconded the motion, and it was carried, the House adjourning till 7.30. On resuming Mr Stout moved that a writ be issued for the election of a member for Tauranga, and the motion wdb agreed to. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs Gillies, W. F. Buckland, and Coster, for one month, on account of illness. A number of New Bills were introduced, among them being a Bill to Regulate the Election of School Committees (Mr Steward), and the Unclaimed Lands Bill (Mr Wakefield). Mr Pearson moved the address in Reply to the Governor's speech, which was seconded by Mr Hislop. Major Atkinson said he would like to know whether the Government were prepared with all their policy measures. If so he was prepared to accept the Addres without any further debate. If the Financial Statement were ready for Tuesday, they would be in a much better position then to discuss the whole policy of the Government.

Mr Stout aaid if the Adress were carried that night the Government would be prepared with the Financial Statement on Friday. It was not proposed to bring down the Public Works Statement until the Financial Statement was fully discussed. Major Atkinson said that after the Premier's reply he should reserve his remarks til! another occasion. He merely wished to say that in accepting the Address the Opposition did not commit themselves to anything ; they reserved to themselves the right to criticise the Government measures as they were brought down. The Address was then put and agreed to. The House adjourned at 9.5 p.m.