GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1381, 20 August 1885, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Li «isl''tive Council met at 2.30 p.in. on Tuesday. The N>w Zealand State Forests Bill was read a second time and referred to the Waste Lands Committee, on the understanding that tho debate on the Bill would be taken when the report of the Committee shall be presented. The Council went into Committee oi> the Insuranco Company's Bill and th" River Boards Bill, which were reported with amendments. Mr Holmes moved that the Council do not insist on amendments in the School Committees Election Bill with which the House of Representatives disagreed.— Carried. Several Bills were read a first time. The W'estland and Grey Education Boards Bill was passed. Tho Resident Magistrate's Court Validation Bill and the Mining Companies Bill were read a second time, The Seimen's Representation Bill was thrown out. The Invercargill Loan Consolidation Bill was further considered in Committee, and progress was reported. The Council rose at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE*. The House met at 7.30 p.m. on Monday. Mr Donald Reid Member for Bruce, took the oath and his seat. The Hon. Mr Stout moved that Glovernmeut business take precedence on Thursday at 7.30 p.m. He said lie would propose that Monday forenoon should bo devoted to private members' Bills.— Agreed to. *'.sMr Montgomery asked when the Pnb'ic Works Statement and tha Public Works Estimates would be brought down. Tiie Hon. Mr R : chardson said he had intended bringing the Statement down this week, but owing to the delay in public business during the last few days,, he was not in a position to say the exact time it would be brought down. Ho would do so as soon as possible. The House went into Committee of Supply for the consideration of the Esti-: mates. The following Items passed : Education: Head office, salaries and other charges, £2590 ; Public Schools, £315,900 ; Native Schools, £15,000 ; Industrial Schools, £17,471; Deaf and Dumb Institions, £2675; Higher Ednear.iun, £3550. Department of Justice: Salaries, head office, £950; Crown Lands, Office salaries,£232s; Patontoffice,salhries, £195. Snpreme Court, £8595; Bankruptcy, £4266 ; District Courts, Resident 'M.igisfr.ttAs :md Wadou's Courts, £48,414; Criminal Prosecutions, £11,600; Coroners,; £3200; Miscellaneous Services, £3000; Prisons, £?4,115. Native Department, £55,535 ; Native Lands Courts, £13.809 ; Miscellaneous Services, £6OO. Crown Lands Department : Salaries, £20,786 ; Expenses in connection with 'Thermal Springs Act, £9175 ; Miscellaneous ser T vices, £4675 ; Coalfields, £225 ; Survey Department, £78,816. The H'uis.e rose at 1.40.a.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. Mr Macarthur gave notice to ask whether the Government have received any intimation as to the resignation of the Agent-General, and if so whether they have entered into negotiations with any person as to his successor. Sir George Grey gave notice that op Wednesday he would ask the Government whether they intended to undertake the construction of the East and West Coast Railway so as to cuuneot Ohristchuruh and Hokitika. Replying to questions, Ministers stated ;: That Mahurangi hydraulic lime was being most extensively used by the Public Works Department and experiments were being made to test its quality ; that the rate of wages of locomotive firemen at Auckland had not been reduced. Mr Samuel moved that there be laid b-'fore the House a copy of all reports, documents, and papers relating to the claim of Robert Gawu, of O.tago.—Agreed to. On the qnes'ion being put that the resolutions from the Committer! of Supply be reported to lh» House, a long discussion ensued, Major Atkinson o rib- lidthat Mr Balliuict* hid not shown where the promised tuviius w. re to he made. Ultimately the rosoliJth'ii ■ .m.ivI reported to the House.

The OtaofO Dock Act 1883 Amendment Bill was then committed, read a third time and passed. The measure was opposed by Messrs Sutter, Ross, Gore,: and others but no amendments were made in it. The Coroners Act 1867 Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Hon.-Mr Ballance moved the committal of the Land Bill. He said the Bill hud been subjected to severe scrutiny by the Waste Lands Committee, and he considered the amendments made by the Committee had, on the whole, greatly improved the Bill, although some of them would no doubt be objected to. He then detailed the nature of the amendments made by the Committee. Sir George Grey said, ho had listened w tli considerable disappointment to the speech of the Minister for Lands. He considered the Minister had not understood the amendments made by the Committee. He contended that most onerous condition's'were imposed .Under this Bill, not only.on defened payment settlers, but on those connected with village settlements and small farms. He added it was his opinion that.in the present state of depression the Government,should buy up some of tinse large esta'es which wero at pre. ent heavily mortgaged, and let them out on perpetual leases. In this maimer large tracts of country, in the South Island especially, would be turned into populous districts. The Hon. Mr Stout and Mr J. McKenzie having spoken, the House went info .Committee on the Bill. Clause 12 was amended so as to provide that the Governor-in-Council may issign or change the names of places or localities. A lengthy discussion ensued on clause 28 providing for any breach of the Land Act to be punishable by imprisonment, tnd it was amended by placing "wilfully " before guilty. The consideration of the clauses from No. 34 to 42 were postponed, and on reaching clause 48 progress was reported. The House rose at 1.40 a.m.