GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1668, 3 December 1887, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m, on Thursday. The Methodist Church Property Bill was passed through its final stages. Sir F. Whitaker, in reply to Mr Shricuski, said there was no truth in the rumour that the Government intended to find work for He unemployed ia Auckland in making carriage drives. Mr Stevens, replying to Mr Waterhouse, said Government intended bringing in a measure this session to give re’ief to tenants of the Grown and public bodies. The New Plymouth Racecourse and Reserve Bill went through Committee without amendment, and passed its final stages,

Tho adjourned debate on the Midland Railway Company s revised contract was resumed. After discussion, Mr Waterhouse withdrew his amendment at the request of Hir F. Whitaker, who promised to meet the views of the supporters of the amendment for a Select Committee by amending c'ause 3. The debate was adjourned till next day. The Council met at 2.30 p.m on Thursday.

The Bill to provide for Irrigation and Water Supply was introduced and road a first time.

Sir F. Whitaker read a letter ho had received from Mr Warren, manager of the Owhaoke block. He stated that Mr Warren entirely exonerated Sir Walter Bailor from the charge of making the Maoris drunk.

The debate on the Midland Railway revised contract was resumed by Dr Menzios, who moved the matter be referred to a Select Committee, This was ultimately lost, and an umendent by Mr Stevens to the effect that any future claims against the State on the part of the Government should bo barred, was, after considerable discussion, put and carried on the voices, and the original motion of the AttornayGoneral that the Council concur with the resolutions of the House with regard to the revised contract was carried on a division—Ayes 19, noes 11. HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. In the House on Tuesday the Land Bill passed its second reading by 34 to 4 and was referred to tho Waste Lands Com* mittee. The House mot at 2.20 p.m, on Wednesday, Replying to questions, it was stated that no farther action would bo taken with regard to the case of flogging a girl at Newton (Auckland); that a BH was under consideration to simplify the Chattels Securities Acts ; that when a Bill was introduced to effect reforms in tho Education Act it would go in the direction of amalgamating Education Boards; that owing to the state of the finances no sum of money could be put on the Estimates for granting subsidies to puhl.c libraries; that efforts would be made to bring in a (Bill this session to complete the titles of those persons who have legitimate claims to Native lands.

Mr Hislop moved the second reading of the Administration Act 1879 Amendment Bill, the object of which was to prevent executors in the administration of estates having preferential claims over (other creditors. The Bill also provides that the executors may file a statement of their inability to meet engagements. It is further provided that the estate of persons dying bankrupt may be admitted as in bankruptcy.—Carried, I The Piomier moved the second reading 'of the Parliamentary Honorarium and Privileges Act Amendment Bill. It had been introduced to give effect to what hi believed to be the wish of tbe country and of the House. Members of the House were to receive £l5O instead of two hundred guineas per session, and Legislative Councillors £IOO instead of two hundred guineas. Mr Fish moved that the Bill be read that day six months, bat afterwards withdrew it.

In rop'y to a question, the Premier said ho had.prepared a Bill for reducing the number of members to 70.

Mr Seddon proposed an amendment to the effect that, while it is desirable to reduce the amount of the honorarium on the Estimates by 25 per cent,, it is not necessary to interfere with the Act, or proceed with the Bill further this session. The Bill was opposed by Messrs Turnbull, Buxton, Reeves, Sir George Grey, and others, but after considerable debate Hr Seddon’s amendment was lost, and the Bi 1 pasted its second reading. The House rose at 1,12 a.ra. The House mot at '£ 30 p.m. on Thursday. Mr Bruce give notice to move in Committee on the Parliamentary Honorarium Bill that the Act should be id force till the dissolution of the present Parliament and no longer. Replying to questions, it was stated that country telegraph offices would bo cdosed between 7 and 8 p.m. if requested by the residents of tbe neighborhood ; chat it was not intended to extend the North Island Trunk Railway as far as Port Albert at present; that the question of relieving country settlers ot excessive costs in the Resident Magistrate’s Court would be cqnsid'eratj during the recess; that the experiment of providing carriages 1

fur ladies only on mil way trains had been tried, but was not successful. The Australian Naval Defence Bill, in connection with the Colonial Conference scheme of defence, was introduced by tho Premier, Mr Mitcholson moved the second reading of the Government Railways Bill, He referred to the fact that since the inauguration of the railway system great dissatisfaction had existed with its management, and a change was now urgently demand-d. If the Vaile system were adopted it would be a great convenience to tho travelling public, but as that would bo gained at the expense of the taxpayers he could not recommend it. He had hitherto been opposed to the appointment of a Non-political Board, but after careful consideration he had come to the conclusion that tho only possible remedy was the appointment of such a Board, At present the Minister had to depend largely on the department, and this would be so long as the present system continued. He wished to cast no reflection on the officers of the department. Mr Maxwell, the General Manager, was a very able man, but ha had the mis* fortune to offend many of the public. He pointed out tiiat a Bill of this kind worked very successfully in Victoria, and the present Bill was principally based on that Act. After referring to the duties to be performed by the three Commissioners to be appointed, aud debating the general principles of the Bill, he said he hoped the House would assist in passing it, Mr E. Richardson said he should support the measure and assist in making it workable.

A long debate followed, after which the Bill was road a second time, on a division, by 51 to 6, Sir George Grey notified that he should oppose the Bill in Committee.

Mr G. E. Richardson moved the second reading of the Mining Act Amendment Bill. After a short discussion the motion was agreed to. The House rose ot 12.40 a.m.