GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1592, 9 June 1887, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30. p.m. on Monday. The Joint House and Library Committees recommended as the most suitable position for the new library tbe site of tbe old Legislative Chamber. The report was adopted. The Church Property Trust (Canterbury) Bill was read a third time and passed. The Wellington Gas Company's Bill was read a ?oc»nd t>no.

Mr Johnston mu't ■ : fiftt the Localßills Committee be instructed to bring up a report upon tbe Reclamation Within the Harbor of Wellington Bill on next sitting day. -The motion was, carried by 29 to 3. Mr Reynolds moved the second reeding of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill. Dr Pollen moved that the Bill be read that day six months. After a debate the second reading was carried by 15 to 14. Mr Reynold moved the second reading of the Local Bodies Loans Act Amendment Bill.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. On resuming at 7.30, the asaent of the Governor was received to a number of Bills passed *his session. The debate on tbe second leading, of tbe Local Bodies Loan Act Amendment Bill was resumed, and tbe motion was lost by 14 to 12, The following Bills were read a second time: Westland and Grey Education Boards Act Continuance Bill; Interpretation Act Amendment Bill; and Building Societies Act Amendment Bill.

The Council adjourned at 8.5 p.m. TheOouncil met at. 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday* The Committee reported on the Wellington Harbor Reclamation Bill that they had not bad time to take all the evidence, and recommended that the Bill be held over till next session. Mr Johnston gave notice to move its second reading on Wednesday. On the motion to commit the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill, Dr Pollen moved that it be read that day six months. After a spirited discussion the amendment was lost by 17 to 15. In Committee, the danse# giving Borough Councils and Drainage Boards power to borrow under certain conditions were struck out, and a new clause was added giving power to appeal flfiinst the imposition of special rates. The remainder passed without amendment. The Westland and Grey Education Boards Conlinuance Bill, and the Building Societies Amendment Gills passed through Gommitte#, and aftsr the usual adjournment at 5.50 were read a third time and passed. The Interpretation Act Amendment Bill passed through Committee. . Captain Baillie moved that the Council concur in the report of the Committee on the site for the Hew library. Dr Menzias thought that more time should be given to consideration of the question, and moved that consideration be postponed. Captain Baillie withdrew hie motion, and the amendment wa* carried. The Council rose at 8.22 p.m. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Monday. The Publio Reveanes Bill was further considered in Oemmittee.

On clause 4, appropriation of £?8,000 jt of the Consolidated Fund, and ;£285,000 out of Public Work* Fund, Mr Peacock asked Mr Ballanca whether ho bad made up his mind whop jie .would establiah » village settlement scheme—to spend £20,000 without the sanction of Parliament.

Mr JBallance said he had not inteaded to incur such « liability, but, as the scheme proceeded, he found that further expenditure was required to meet the necessities of the colony. He had intended to ask for a vote £50,000, which won Id cover all liabilities. No less than 1000 families had been put on the land, and that was bis justification for the expenditure. He was having a return prepared giving fuller information on the whole matter.

Mr Fulton attacked the appointment of Mr London.

After further discussion Major Atkinson suggested that progress be reported till the return which Mr Ballance had promised had been laid on the table. The Premier said there was no objection to report progress, but no other business would be transacted. Progress was reported after further discussion.

On the motion for the committal of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Bill, Mr Samuel eaid ha should move a new clausa allowing settlers to surrender their leases.

Mr Ballanca said he hoped tha clause would not be pressed this sessiou. ’ The House went into Committee on the Bill.

A lengthy discussion ensued on the third clause, amended provision as to granting new leases on the surrender, A long discussion followed and numerous amendments were proposed but lost. The only one carried was that proposed by Mr Ballance, providing that two Native Assessors be appointed instead of one.

Progress was then reported on the motion of Mr Ballance.

A return relative to the Special Settlements was laid on the table, and the debate was further adjourned till the following day, Tha Chattels Securities Act Amendment Bill was passsd through all its stages.' The Counties Act Amendment Bill in Committee gave rise to some discussion. Clause 3, that the Selwin County Council may borrow £3OOO for the Malvern Water Race, was carried. Clauses providing that the Chairman of County Councils should be paid £2OO per annum, and that private persons be allowed to erect swing gates across public roads were lost.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. Mr Hamlin took the chair in the absence of the Speaker.

The Counties Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Larnach moved the second reading of the the Mining Act 1886 Amendment Bill.—Agreed to.

Sir Julius Vogel made a long personal explanation regarding some remarks made by the hon. member for .Napier (Mr Ormond) in the House and at a public meeting at Napier regarding his (Sir .Julius Vogel's) action in the Government Insurance Gommiltee, last session. Mr Ormond replied in vigorous terms denying the statements vmade by ! Sir Julius Vogel, The Counties Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Mining Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Public Revenues Bill wag further considered in Committee.

A lengthy discussion ensued, which was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. On resuming at 7.30, Mr Scobie McKenzie resumed the debate on the Public Revenues Bill. Ho said that the Minister of Lands bad committed a grave error in his action regarding the village settlements. Such an instance of unauthorised expenditure had not occurred in England for 25 years. The Premier said that they need not ge to the English Parliament for such examples. Both Major Atkinson and Sir George Grey had acted similarly when in office. He referred at some length to the freehold tenure of land, which had been condemned a| over the world, and would be condemned still mo/e.

Mr Dargaville pointed out that Major Atkinson exceeded the votes of the House by £261,396 for rails and rolling stock, while the preasnt expense had been undertaken for the more justifiable purpose of settling people on the lands. Sir Qeo 2 Grey, Sir Julius Vogel, Messrs Fergus, Ivess, Downie Stewart, Pyke, Fulton, Buchanan, Ross, Moss and others continued the debate on the land question.

The Minister of Lands, in replylfto Mr Peacock, said Government had acquired 432,542 acres along the northern trunk line, Waimarino block, at a cost of £450,000.

Mr Ormond complained that the railway through the Manawatu Gorge was being proceeded with ve’y slowly.

Mr Richardson said contracts had bee n let covering the whole amount of money allocated to the work in the last loan.

Clause 4 and remaining ones were passed, and the third reading fixed for Wednesday.

The House rose at 1.10 a.m.