GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1542, 7 August 1886, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On Wednesday, The Otago Harbor Leasing Bill w«e considered in Committee, progress was reported, and leave given to sit again. Seve al Bills wore read a first time. The Mining Bill was further considered in Committee, and several amendments agreed to. The second reading of the Lonn Bill was postponed. Mr Whitaker, in connection with his subject, gave notice to move the following motion :—That the Bill be referred to a Select Committee to ascertain whether the several railways specified in the schedule have been authorised by special Act as required by the law, to report fully thereon to the Council, the Committee to consist of Missis Holmes, Pollen, Miller, Menzies, Reynolds, Shepherd, Wilson, Johnson and the mover, to report before Monday next. The Council then adjourned. In the Legislative Council on Thursday, Mr Reynolds moved the second reading of the Loan Bi'l. After discussion the Bill was referred to a Select Committee. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill was r#ad a first time. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. The motion for the second reading of the North Island Main Trunk Railway was agreed to. The Beer Duty Bill was read a second time. The Deceased Persons Estates Duty Bill was committed and reported with amendments. The Public Trust Office Amendment Billwas read a third time. The amendments made by the House in the Harbors Act Amendment Bill ware farther considered in Committee and disagreed with. A Committee was appointed to draw up the Council’s reasons for such disagreements, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 2.30 p.m. on, Wednesday. Replying to questions it was stated that |it had been the practice for some time io obtain the consent of natives interested in leasing reserves on the West Coast before su*h leases were made ; that there were a large number of areas of land yet to he lot on that Coast; that copies of the Education Statement would be cucu'ated in the various education districts and among the School Oomnvttees in the colony, also the Mines Statement to schools of mines in the colony. Mr Biiilunce introduced the Special Power* and Contracts Bill. Sir Julius Vogel moved that the following Bills bo discharged from the Order Paper :—Magistrates Court Bill, Alienation of Land Bill, Godlin Moth Act Amendment Bill, Workmen’s Wages Act Extension Bill, and Stock Driving Bill.— Agreed to. Mr O’Gallaghan moved that the Waimate Village Settlement Bill which stood in Mr Steward’s name, be discharged.— After considerable discussion the motion for discharging the Bill was put and loal on the voices. Mr Tole moved the second reading of the Rabbit Act Amendment Bill, which, he explained, was to give effect to the report of the Rabbit Committee recently presented to the House. Several members spoke on the subject, Sir Julius Vogel stating be thought more enquiries should be made as to whether the , rabbits could not be destroyed by diseases, and he considered it would be belter to introduce foxes than stouts and weasels. Mr Lance, as one of the Committee, said he thought that Government should not ton hastily adopt that part of the Committee’s report regarding stoats and weasels, as they were dangerous to lambs. He would prefer that more ferrets be introduced. Mr Tole said the evil was so vast that it should bo dealt with m speedily as

nossib'e, and the desire of thV .Government was to pass as perefct’ a Bill a could he framed. He intended to evise the Bill before going into Committee, and he would be glad to receive -uggeslions from members. The motion for the second reading was agreed to. Mr Richardson moved the second rending of the District Railways Purchasing •\ct 1885 Extension and Amendment Bill providing for the purchase of We-W^itnea Plains Railway. A long debate followed, rtr Sutter thought the Governuont'odghl not to buy the line and Mr Rolleston bought they were paying too much for t.—-The second reading was carried. The Government Loans to Local-Bodies ■ 'ill w:ia received by message from the Governor, and [ arsed through all its stages without discussion. Sir Julius Vogel moved the second ending of the Government Life Assurance Bill, the . object of which was to -t've effect to. the.Coinmittee.’s. report, also the recomffiendatidh of tire pbl%-iffolders. He explained the provisions of the Bill] ' liich followed closely the recommendations of the Select Committee. He did not consider it necessary to go into other questions, as they ifad been gone into nlly before the Committee which sat recently. The motion was carried, and after a iebate the House, went into Committee ■mi the Bill, Clause 2 was amended so that the Act should come into operation on the 13th October. On Clause 4 being reached, Sir Julius Vogel moved to report progress.—Agreed The House rose at 1.15 a.ra. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. Mr Larnach brought up the report of the Committee appointed to search the journals of the Legislative Council in respect to the rejection of the Gold Duty Export Abolition Bill by the Council. On the report being read by the Clerk, Mr Larnach moved that a Committee be appointed to search for precedents, to learn the relation of the House of Lords to the House of Commons in respect to money Bills, and taxation reinieson and imposition, etc.—Agreed to. On the motion for the committal of the Fisheries Conservation Act Amendment Bill, some discussion ensued, and finally Major Atkinson moved as an amendment that the Bill be committed this day fortnight and this was earned. Mr Ballance moved the second reading of the Special Powers and Contracts Bill, which was brought in to grant special powers to the Governor to issue Crown grants, and to enable him to carry out certain contracts and promises.—After some discussion the motion for the second reading was agreed to. The House went into Committee on the District Railways Purchasing Act Amendment Biil. An amendment was carried providing that £27,000 should be paid in cash instead of £35,000, and Colonel Trimble then moved that the Colonial Treasurer shall sell debenture bonds at two per cent instead of seven. Mr Hichnrdson said he must consult his colleagues, and progress was reported. The House went into Committee of Supply. Class 11, Minister of Public Worke £761,000 was passed. V0te—£29,250, Miscellaneous services. Mr Sutter moved to take out (be Kumara sludge channel, £7OOO. —Lost, The item £4OOO for lectures in mining districts was reduced by £loooi The total vote as reduced by|£looo was then passed. • , Class 1, Legislature £17,390. —Passed. Class 2, Colonial Secretary £155,725, was under consideration at 2 a.in.