GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1527, 3 July 1886, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

Cn the Legislative Council on Wedhesd*y> , ... Dr Menziea prasented & petition in favor of Bible reading in schools. The Wellington Harbor Board Leasing Bill, and the Fish Auction Bill, were read a second tin.e.

The Native Equitable Owners Bill, th» Native Reserves Empowering Bill and tha Justices of the Peace Bill, were committed and reported wiih amendments.

The Council went into Committee on the Municipal Corporations Bill.

The Committee dealt with the clauses up to 190, wheo progress w«b reported, and the Council adjourned till next day. In the Legislative Council on Thursday the Charitable Aid Extension Bill, and the City of Dunectin L'-asing Bill were considered iu committee, and reported. Progress was reported on the Post Office Bill. The Small Birds' Nuisance Amendment Bill nas throwo out on its second re.idThe Municipal Corporation Bills «ns further considered in Commiitee, from clause 190, and a number of unimport. ut, amendments were made. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the Houne cn Wednesday, The Ne>v Zealand Bible, Tract, and Book Society Bill was read a third time and passed. Several Bills were introduced and read a first time.

Tiie Native Land Administration Bill, and the Native Land Court Bill -were reported from the Native Affairs Committee and ordered to be oommit'ed on Friday. Replying to questions Ministers stated that the request to have a uniform system of examination for the classification of school teaclieißcoukl not be granted.

Mr Uichardson said Government had received tenders for a small contract on Otago Central Railway, and it' was proposed to let a contract at once»in order to find employmeut for people who were unemployed in Dunedin. The contract was only for about £20,000. The Coal Mines Bill was reported from Committee, read a third time, and passed.

Mr Beetham moved that the second reading of the Railways Construction and Land Act 1881 Amendment Bill be taken formally without debate.—The motion was agreed to. Sir Julius Vogel resumed the debate on the Pacific Islands question. He said the circumstances had now changed, and it was necessary to strengthen the handß of the Agent-General in representing the matter to the Imperial Government, He wished to say that the English Governhad all through extended every consideration to New Zealand on the question;. When the proper Jime came his colleague would move a series of amendments on the resolutions previously moved by other members, strongly urging on the Imperial Government the necessity of net allowing the New Hebrides jo be annexed by any foreign nation ; that no more criminals be'.sent by France to New Caledonia ; that ahould the Home Government find it advantageous to allow France to annex the New Hebrides, religious freedom and free dom of trade and commerce be guaranteed to British subjects equally with those cf France ; that Kapa be conceded by France to Great Britain ; that all objections be waived to Great Britain annexing Riiratorjga and theadjaceat islands, Mr Tole moved the amendments read by the Colonial Treasurer.

Sir George Gray's original motion for a mixed commission, and a number of amendments moved by Messrs Barron, McKeczie, Sir George Grey, Mr Kollenton, Mr Fulton, Mr Buckland and others were lost, and those of Mr Tole were carried after a debate lasting five hours.

The House then went into Committee on the Midland Railway Bill. A number of amendments were moved, but the only one carried was one accepted by Sir Julius Vegel, moved by Mr Hursthouse, allowing for the devi»tion.in tho route between Lyell and iNelson, if Government and company agreed. The mover explained that this was to enable the Collingwood district to be embraced by the line, if it was found advantageous. In the House on Thursday the [North Timaru Cemetery Reserve Bill was read a third time and pasied. - The debate on the second reading of the New Plymouth Harbor Loan Bill, providing for the raising of a loau of £60,000 for the New Plymouth Harbor Works was interrupted, by tho 5.30 adjournment. On resuming at 7.30, the Friendly Societies Bill was rend a third time and passed. ""■ Mr Steward moved the second reading of the Educational Franchise Bill. This proposed tog've the r'ranchise'to any adult who ownf'd a dwelling in a school district, and to limit the voting power to one vots for each candidate.—Carried;

The Dog Regisiration Act Amendment Bill was considered in,Committee. Mr Steward moved a new clause, giving local bodies power to fix different fees for different dogs up to 20n. A long discussion followed, various amendments being proposed. The Maori mernbors strongly opposed the Bill, and Mr Pratt complained that the vote pf the Maori members, had kejt the Government in offict, and yet they now supported the Bill. Ultimately Mr McMillan offered to report progress and endeavor to come to some arrangement. The propoßal was accepted, and the House reseat 12.50 a.m., after passing an Apportionment Bill through Committee.