GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1536, 24 July 1886, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

In the Legislative Council on Wednesday, The Counties Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 157, dealing with special rates, was amended, so as to p>o vide that special rates shall not exceed three-farthings in the pound on the capital value. A number of clauses were agreed to, and the Council took the dinner adjournment at 5 o’clock. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. In Committee on the Counties Bill, chaise 289, providing|for the maintenance of agricultural schools from com ty funds was struck out. Clause 219, providing that County Councils may support public libraries was also struck out.

Progress was reported, and the Council adjourned at 9.30 p.m. In the Legislative Council on Thursday, Dr Menzioa presented a petition from Ofigo praying that the Contagious Diseases -t ct may be expunged from the Statute Book.

Dr Pollen brought op the report of the Committee appointed to prepare reasons why the Council refused to agree wiili certain amendments of (ho House in the Local Bodies Loans Bill.—The report was agreed t' l , and a message to (list effect wus transmitted to the House. Mr Reeves moved that in the opinion of the Council it is highly inexpedient that Government should provide a largand constant supply of stoats and weasels recommended by the Joint Committee on the rabbit nuisance.— The debate was adjourned till next day. Mr Chamberlain abandoned his motion relative to protection owing to the lateness of the session. The Employment of Females Act was committed, but progress not being reported with a proviso to sit aeaui, the Bill was virtually killed. The Government Loan to Local Bodies Bill was emmitred and progress was reported, and leave given to sit again. The adjourned debate on the Civil Service Reform BU, to which an amendment hod been proposed, that the Bill be read this «’»y six months, was resumed by Mr Whitaker, who opposed the Bill. Mr dhrimski supported the Bill, and the debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr Buckley. The Company’s Branch Registers Bib was read a tocond time. The Native Lund Administration Bill, and the Native Land Court Bill were further considered in Committee. Progress was reported on, the former Bill, while the latter Bill was reported with amendments. The Council then rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House mot at 2,30 p.m. on Wednesday. Replying to questions it was stated that the long service medals for vo’unteei> would shortly he iw.-ei-ted ; (hat Government cou ! d not introduce any legislation for 'he application of unused surp’us of the Kaitangata relief fund to relieving sufferers by the volcanic eruption, as it was not right that Parliament should interfere with money subscribed by charitable persons; that Hansard could not be emt beyond New Zealand like newspapers, as every copy would result in a loss to the colony of three pence ; that no Bill would be brought in this session for abolishing grand juries. It was decided to grant the use of the Parliamentary buildings for a conversazione in aid of the Terawera relief fund on Saturday week. The debate on the Public Works policy was then resumed, and lasted till 12.30, when Mr Fulton moved that it be adjourned till Friday, and the House rose. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Thors day. Replying to questions it was stated that ihef6 4 - was no lawful autboriiy for the payifibnt of travelling expenses of grand jurors whi'e attending the Supreme Court and Government and did not intend making provision ; and that there was no necessity to bring in a Bill requiring the word “ Poison” to he attached (o each package of poisonous matches -which may be sold in the colony ; that no further e-qi" v y was necessary into the piirehaseTiy Government of the Waimate Railway 'Debentures ; that if a further hi vestigation were asked for, it would he i reflection on Um C ■ mini Hue. The -'Otago Haibor Bridge Bill wav carriod-tbrough its final stages and passed.

The Waimate Racecourse Trustees Empowering Bill, Oamarn Harbor Board Loon Bill, City of Christchurch Municipal Offices Bill, and Auckland Harbor Board Loan Bill were passed through Committee, read a third time, and passed. The Pott Chalmers Fire Brigade Site Bill and the Nelson Foreshore Reserve Bill passed their second readings, The Committee on the Government Insurance Association will, it is understood, report in favor of returning the business to Government control. The Educational Franchise Bill was thrown out.

The Dog Registration Bill was further considered in Committee. After many divisions, the clauses of the Bill were passed with provisos exempting sheep, cattle, rabbiters’ and Maori dogs. Mr Duncan then moved that it apply to Canterbury only, but his motion was lost by 25 to 7.

Tlie Bill was reported with amendments after a tour hcura’ discussionj and the House rose at 12.40 a.m.