GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1584, 19 May 1887, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATE COUNCIL. Tho Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. The question of providing a brick building for the Government library was discussed, and after m»ch opposition the matter was allowed to drop. The Post-office Act 1881 Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. Tho Gaming and Lotteries Act 1881 Amendment EMI was considered in Committee, and progress reported without advancing a stage. Mr Swanson gav' n-tico to amend the Act |(o extend the use of the totalisator to boating and yachting clubs. The Council adjourned at 3.30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, Replying to questions it was stated that steps hud been taken towards reducing the expenses of Land Boards, by suggesting that fewer meetings be held ; that Bills would be brought in as Private Bills dealing with the questions of grand -juries and coroners’ juries; that the question of auditing the public accounts throughout the colony on the same principle as jprovided by the Municipal Corporations Act, 1880, was receiving serious consideration ; that it would not be wise to alter the ; regulations of small farm associations till: more experience was gained of their working ; that Government had decided not to establish a parcels post system outside the colony till it had been satisfactorily established within the colony ; that until a further loan was negotiated; Government could not Older the necessary, ironwork for the railway bridge across the Pohangina Riyer on the Napier-Palmer-stou Railway ; that the construction of; tunnels in the Manawatu Gorge would depend also on a fresh loan, but Govern-, ment would, as far as possible,, make use. of all available funds for, that purpose; that Government did not see thoir way to make provision for allowing country members of Charitable Aid Boards expenses of travelling and hotel-bills. The Representation Bill was further considered in Committee. Mr Seddon asked whether any arrangement had been effected in regard to the Bill. The Premier said he was sorry to saj there was no definite arrangement. As he understood it, clause 3 would be put and negatived, in which case be should propose a new clause instead. The first thing to consider was the number of members. Al ter n discussion clause 3 as a whole was put and struck out by 57 to 17. The Premier moved that progress be reported in order to bring down a new clause. The on'y alterations he should make in the Bill wou'd be to propose that the number of members be 86, and that the percentage be 15 per cent, actual. The Bill was reported. The Premier moved that the Bill be recommitted at half-past 7 p.m. The discussion on this lasted till the 5.30 adjournment and was resumed at 7.30, when the recommittal was agreed to. In ciause 2, appointment of Commission for tho adjustment of representation, the Premier moved to insert the Commissioner of Property Tax instead of the Auditor-General. —Agreed to after a debate. On clause 3 being reached, Mr Hursthouse moved to leport progress. His reason for taking this step was that the clause was really a new one, and members bad not had a chance of considering it. The .Premier said there was only three alterations in the clause, viz., the number of members, the percentage, and the margin. A great number of amendments were proposed and negatived, and after a long discussion a division was taken on the question that 91 members be inserted in tue place of 71. The result was a tie, 39 for and 39 against, and the Chairman gave his casting voe with the ayes and 91 was retained. Mr Rolleston voted with the ayes, and Messrs Turnbull, Sutter, and Steward with the noes. After further discussion and amendmends the clause as amended was put and carried on the voices. The remaining clauses were passed without alteration. Mr Scobie McKenzie moved a new clause to the effec f that when the Commissioners have decided to alter an existing electoral district, and the boundaries of new districts are provisionally determined, due notice of such proposed boundaries shall be given in any newspaper published in the district, and a day appointed tor tfie Commissioners to receive any objections against such boundaiies. - Sir R, Stout said personally he should be in favor of the clause, bat be pointed out that it would email great expense, and would clause a delay of several months. Sir R. Stout suggested that the clause be altered to read, “ When the Commissioners propose to alter iho electoral districts due notice of such proposed boundaries shall be given in a newspaper published in the district.” Mr O’Callaghan moved that the word “ gcze'te” be inserted instead of “ newspaper.”—Agreed to. The clause was added to the Bill. The Bill was reported with tho amendments added, to be considered next day, Major Atkinson asked when the Premier proposed to take the financial discussion. Sir B. Stout said he hoped they would be in a position to do so on Friday. Sir R, Stout said the Government did not propose any adjournment for tho Queen’s birthday. He should state,next day what course the Government would adopt. The House rose at 1.15 a.ra.