GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1585, 21 May 1887, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Council on Wednesday, the Goming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee. A new clause was inserted ezsmpting totalisators from clause 33 of the Act of 1881, or any contract or agreement in connection therewith, or to any money deposited by way of wagers upon any horae represented thereby. The Bill was reported with amendments and the third reading made an order for next dny. The Counci' adjourned at 4.20 p.m. In the Legislative Council on Thursday the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1881 Amendment Bill was read a third time. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. In reply to questions it was stated that the question of insuring telephones was under consideration of Government ; that the advisability of levying ad valortm duties on tea according to quality was under consideration, but it had already been found it would be very difficult to carry out; that the total amount p»id for floating the last loan was £43 000 ; that if the holders of annual railway tickets were allowed to pay for tho same in quarterly instalments, the price of tbe tickets would have to be raiied ; that where practicable, firewood would be used instead of coal on railway locomotives ; that alternative routes had been _ partly aurveyed, leading from Taranaki to a point in the North Island trunk line of milways, with a view to ultimately connect the West Coast districts with Auckland ; that a road through the Manawatu Gorge was not in the hands of Government, but of local bodies, who were raising more than five times the amount necessary for the maintenance of the road, and Government were making arrangements with local bodies in the matter. Mr Fnlton moved that the resolution of the 6th Sep ember, 1883, be rescinded so far as it regards the wives of members of the Assembly being paid "actual fares by couch, railway or steamboat, once each way, to and from their usual residences." He said that undt-r this head £92 15s 61 was pnid in 1884, and £IOO in 1885. - Agreed to. Mr Garrick moved that the annual honorarium, payable to members of the House of R preeentatives be reduced by a sum of £SO, «ad that contingent upon the House so revolving the Government be requested to introduce a Bill during the present session giving effect the'eto. Mr O'Callaghan said he should move to add to the motion that the honorariums of tlv memberß of the Legislative Council be reducer? by £IOO. Mr G. F. Richardson said he should move aB an amendment to reduce Ministers salaries by £250.. , The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House remmed at 7.50. Mr Pyke moved the second reading of the Otago Central Railway Extension Bill. He explained that they withed to obtain power to complete the line from Taieri Lake, where Government intended to stop, to Lake Wanaka, The length was 116 miles, nod the estimated cost £700,000. This could be raised withoat going into the London market. ; The Bill was based on much thi same lines as the Midland Railway Bill, except that the land grant watt to be 33 per cent of the value instead of 50 p»r ce'it. 'Mr Ballance epppsec the Bill, saying the line was one the Government should make. Mr Scobie McKenz'e, Mr Gore, Sir Julius Vopel and Mir Bruce supported the Bill. Mr Bryce and Mr Hislop opposed it. The Premier said tbat the land affected was almost the only portion in the South Island now left suitable for small settle-

menta and be hoped the House iron Id not agree to the Bill. There was no guarantee that the land would be settled by the company. The most difficult portion of the line was already made, and it was now proposed to hand ove' the easy portion to a company. He thought it had beeu understood that the system of land grants was not to be further extended. Mr Oadman moved that the Bill be read that day six months. The amendment was lost by 31 to 20, and the Bill read a second time and pasted to the Waste Lands Committee. Sir Geo. Grey moved the second readreading of the Eight Hours Bill, which, after a debate, was agreed to. The House rose nt 1.20 a.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. Replying to questions it was stated that arrangements were being made to provide for the payment of deferred thirds to local bodies direct; that it w?s only the exigencies of the service and vacancies that necessitated the removal of engine drivers and firemen from one part of the colony to another; that a Bill would be introduced next session msking the liability of owners of vessels whose property j is seized on account of smuggling by I their employees, not to exceed £500; that 17,600 acres of land in Seaward Bush had been brought under the State Forests Act, and when it was sufficiently cleared }f bush it would be thrown open. Mr BeetbaD introduced a Bill to amend the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bi'llßßs.

Major Atkinson asked Government when the discussion on the Financial Statement would be taken. —Sir Julius Vogel hoped it would be gone on with next day. The House went into Committed on the Reclamation wilhin Wellington Harbor Bill, which ptased with amendment*. The Wanganui Warbor Bill was further considered in Committee. The Rangitikei County was struck out of the harbor . district, and progress was reported. Mr Dunean moved the second reading of the Oamaru Harbor Board Loan Bill, which was brought up to consolidate former loans aw' to enable the Board to raise a further loan of £48,000 if necessary.— The motion waß agreed to. The Premier moved the second raadiog of the City of Dunedia Borrowing on Deposit Bill, the object of which was to eruhlw the city of Duedin to borrow from any porsou willing to lend money, but not to exceed £30,000. Major Atkinson moved that the Bill be read that day six moDth*. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. At 7.30 the Colonial Treasurer gate notice that he intended, to move the second ,

reading of the Cuifonm Tariff Bill netfc evening. Msjor Atkinson thought it would be better to postpone it till Wedne day. The Treasurer said that if a hostile motion wai to be made, the debate would necessarily go right on. Mr Rollestou preferred sitting on the Queen's Birthday. He also complained that the Crown Undi report was not yet «ircntated. M: Billance said the report would be down in good time for Mr Rolleston to discuss it in the financial debate. The Premier gave notice to more tomorrow that the House adjourn till Wednesday; Mr Le vestam moved the second reading of the New Zealand University Amendment Bill.-Agreed to after a discussion. In Committee on the Limitation of Votes Bill Captain Sutter moved an amendment giving power to vote for the e'ection of members of the House in twe electorates instead of one. " Carried by 28 to 25. The Bill aas passed throigh Committee. The Woman's Suffrage Bill was considered in Committee. In clause 2 Mr Ivess uioved an amendment restriction the franchise to women who are property holders in their own right. Eventually Mr Ivess* amendment was lost by 18 to 21, and on a further division clause 2 was rejected by 21 to 19. Progress was then reported, and the House rose ut 1.20 a. m.