GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1380, 18 August 1885, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. In reply to Mr Peacock, the Hon. the Colonial Secretary stated that it was not proposed to repeal the Government Life Insurance Association Act. The Employment of Females Bill, (No. 2), the Fire and Marine Insurance Bill, the Chiistchurch Market Reserves Bill, and the Resident Magistrate’s Court Pioeoedings Validation Bill were read a second time. The Swings Bank Bill teas passed, and the Financial Arrangements Hill and Education Bill were read a third time. [t was decided to recommit the Otago Harbor Board Leasing Bill. Progress was reported on the Inver••ngilj Loan and Consolidation Bill, and lmi\e obtained to sit again. 'l’m' Cmmeil wont into (tommiltoo to consider the Customs and Excise Duties Hill , the Fisheries Encouragement Bdl, nid ihe Shipping and Seamen’s Bdl. lie mi Hills w era all passed without ■m ndment. The Conned then adj nirm'd.

nousn: oy uhip runsrn tatiyes. Tin 1 House met at 2.150 p.ui. on .Fiidiy, IT'plyinu to questions, Ministers stated : 'Hint it had uot > el, been decided whether iho Meteorological ohservfi'iona nt■ Dunedin would be discontinued ; , that Government received the telegram from the dcleg ups in London re Meiggs’ proposals (whieli was communicated In he House un the 71h August) on the 20 li July ; that Ihe ■mount of o 11 tender' invited by the Government would , be published in 1 lie Gazette. Mr Seddou said 'bar the Member for Gladstone had a certain m dter to bring up against him t If respecting the Kiminin sludge eliann l (number two), which he hoped he would now state open y before, the House. Mr Sutter said he desired it to be nnHersloud that be was nor. actuated by any personal feeling in the action he was about to take against the member for Kumart. He had a communication to make which affected him very seriously, and which he thought would astonish the House. He found that the member tor Kumara had been for a number of years

urging that the Kutnara shtdge channel (number two), should be constructed by Government. He read a number of telegrams from Mr Seddon to the members of the Government in reference to the constructor! of the work, the contract for which was signed by R. J. Seddon and five others. The contract was for £2433 18s Id. He also said there were several petitions from miners praying against (he cutting of the channel. He pointed out (hat the work was private property, and Government had, no responsibility whatever in connection with it. He had brought hia mo'ion under the Disqualification Acr, and he hoped Government would allow him a Committee to inquire into the whole matter, ar- lie considered the Member for Kc.maru had come under the penal clause of that Act for holding a Government contract whilst being a member of the House. He then moved that all correspondence and a copy of the contract in connection with the Kumara sludge channel (number two) be laid before the House. The Hon. Mr Stout defended Mr Redden, stating if anyone was to blame it was himself. The Hon. Mr Larnach also defended Mr Seddon, Mr Seddon explained his actions and said he had nothing to fear from the appointment of a Select Committee. The motion for the production of all papers in connection with the Knmara Sludge Channel was then put and agreed to. Tire lien Mr Stout moved that the Committee consist of Messrs Bruce, J. 0. Buckland, Conolly, Fraser, Hislop, llui'Hthouse, Moss, Russell, Sutter, and the mover, to consider the matter and to report in ten days.—Agreed to. The following Bills were introduced;— District Railways Purchasing Bill (Sir Julius Yoge!) ; a Bill to provide for a Guarantee of Fidelity of Government jinil fn Repeal the existing Act (Sir Julius Vogel). The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel explained that the District Railways Bill was brought in to make provision for the contracts that had been laid on the table for some weeks. It was proposed to, refer ho Bill to the Public Accounts Committee 'o examine and report upon the various contracts which it was proposed to undertake under the Bill. A motion was agreed to disagreeing with the Amendments made by the County Council in ihe Administration Act 1879 Amendment Bill, and a Committee was ippomted to draw up reasons therefore. The Otago Dock Ac 1888 Amendment Bill passed its S' conn reading. The House went into Committee on lire Gold Mining Uistriels Act 1873 Amendment Bill on which progress was reported to enable the addition of several new clauses. The House then went into Committee on the Public Reserves Act Amendment Bill. In clause 4 proving for authorising a charge for admission to public reserves on not more than ten days in the year, it was decided io add the words “ which shall not be one or other of the days mentioned in the shedule.” It was decided that the schedule consist of Sunday, Christmas Day and Good Friday. The Queen’s Birthday was struck out by 42 to 15, the Prince of Wales Birthday also being negatived on the voices. The anniversary days of the provincial districts were also negatived. The Bill was reported, read a third time and passed. The House went into Committee on the Middle Island Half-Caste Grants Bill, which with slight amendment, was reported, read a third time and passed. Mr Steward moved (hat the House agree with the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the School Committees Election Bill, with the exception of the clause making the minimum school age five years.—Agreed to. . ; The Bankruptcy Act 1883 Amendment Bill, the Property Law Consolidation Act 1883 Amendment Bill, and the New Plymouth Exchanges Completion Act 1874 Amendment Bilk were read a second time. The House went into. Committee on the Coroners’ Act 1367 Amendment Bill, which passed without amendment. The House went into Committee on the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill. In clause 2, providing for the extended meaning of “ incestuous adultery,” it was decided to strike out the words “ with her sister.” Mr Samuel moved a new clause providing that a petition for divorce should be allowed when the parties were separated for four years continuously, .or. one of ihem was Imprisoned for four'years or pronounced insane. The Hon. Mr ISlout suggested that the words should he added—“in addition to the grounds mentioned in clauses 17 and 18.” Mr Mmitedth moved to strike out that p< rßon of tJm clause relating to separation for four years. . Mr Downie Siewait suggested that im.'ompatihilitv of temper should also be allowed as reason for divorce. ; Mr O’Callaghan said that was a very important .amendment of which notice dmoM have been, given. Hr; would move to report progress, which was lost on the v.iiccs. Mr Downie Stewart’s amendment “ inro'upaiihiiify of temper, ’ was then put oul lost on the voices, and Mr Menteaih'a was also lost on a div skin. Mr Samuel’s clause was theq put and thrown out on a diyision.by is to 19. On a motion that, tlm Bdi be .reported, a division was Oken—Ayes 35, .Noes It). The. House,went into Committee on ihe Rating Act Amend meet 8i11... On clause G being reached, progrear was reported. The House rose at 1.40 a.m.