GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1369, 23 July 1885, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Monday. The Hod. the Colonial Secretary laid on the Table an informal petition from a number of inhabitants of Fiji, praying for annexation. On the motion of Mr Shrimski it was resolved that there be laid on the table a return showing (1) the name of each County or Road Board where the Counties Act is not in operation ; (2) the number of population in such district; (3) the amount of taxable property in such district under the Property Tax Act; (4) the amount distributed by the State to each County or Road Board under the Crown or Native Lands Rating Act. Colonel Brett moved that paper No. 74 relating to the enquiry recently held regarding the alleged irregularities in the Christchurch Hospital bo printed. Negatived, The Council went into Committee on the Administration Amendment Bill, which was reported with amendments, and the Hon. the Colonial Secretary gave notice to move that it be recommitted. Mr J, C. Richmond moved the second reading of the Employment of Females Amendment Bill.—After a debate the Bill was thrown out by 21 to 14. Dr Pollen moved the second reading of the Gaming and Lotteries Amendment Bill. He contended that recent legislation on this subject had had the effect of intensifying the evils of gambling.—-The Bill was read a second time on the voices. On the motion of Mr Bathgate, the Congregational Unions Incorporation Bill was read a second time. The Council adjourned at 4.50. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. Replying to questions, Ministers said S That the charges for the telephone instruments between Port Chalmers and Dunedin would be reduced if possible ; that the Hon. Mr Richardson would make a statement on the extension of the White Cliffs Railway towards Lake Coleridge ; that the Registrar of births, deaths, and marriages in Wellington was not exceptionally treated ; that the Government learned from a report furnished by Mr Blair that the defects in the building of the Seacliff Lunatic Asylum mentioned in the Inspector’s report of 28th November 1884 do not exist; that in future no one in Government employ would be permitted to compete with outside applicants for the position of Property Tax valuers, etc.; that the statistics of the colony were published as early as possible, but that Government could not undertake the publication of a “ Year Book ” on account of the expense ; that Mr Yaile had made several mistakes in his figures repecting the working of the railways of the colony, especially in the Canterbury lines, which figures were lower than in other places. The Hon. Sir Julius Yogel read and laid on the table a printed statement respecting the East and West Coast Railway. Mr Garrick moved that there be laid before the House all correspondence in the possession of the Government relative to the taking by the Kowai Road Board of certain land belonging to Mr Woodhouse for a gravel pit.—Agreed to. Mr Holmes moved that a return be laid before this House showing the several sums of money received during the fiuancial years 1882-83-84-85 respectively from the General Government by thn various County Councils, Road Boards, Town Boards, and Borough Councils in the colony.—Agreed to. The House went into Committee on the Stamp Act Amendment Bill. The Hon. Mr Stout moved an addition to clause 7, to the effect that persona or companies acting as agent* for effecting insurances abroad should pay a license fee.—Agreed to. Several other verbal amendments were agreed to, and a new clause was added providing that the Act should come into operation on the Ist September. The House went into Committee on the Deceased Persons’ Estates Duties Amendment Bill. Mr Conolly moved to strike out that portion of clause 10 relating to deeds of gifts being charged the same as ssitloraents. A long discussion ensued on clause 10, providing that deeds of gift made within two years of the passing of the Act should be charged the same as settlements, the clause being strongly opposed in consequence of its retrospective nature. The Hon. Sir Julius YogeL said the Government would abide by the decision of the House on the clause, but if it were not carried the property tax would have to be increased by one eighth of a penny, in order to make up for the loss to the revenue, Hon. members could, of course, vote jas they pleased, but if the clausa were lost the burden of taxation would fall on struggling settlers and small farmers.

Mr Conolly’a amendment was then put and carried on the voices. The remaining clauses were passed with slight amendments. The Bill was reported with amendments, as was also the Stamp Act Amendment Bill. The second reading of the Whitmore Enabling Bill was carried on the voices, hon. members expressing the hope that the appointment is only temporary. The House went into Committee on the West Coast Settlement Reserve Act Amendment Bit', which p issed with some slight amendment. The Industrial Schools Act Amendment Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed, as was also the West Coast Settle* ment Reserves Act Amendment Bill. The House rose at 12.19 a.ra.