GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1669, 6 December 1887, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Conncil met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday.

Mr Hart movsd that the Government should obtain copies of Scripture lesion books of the school boards of England and Wales, with a view to their introduction in the State schools of New Zealand. —The motion, after discussion, was negatived. Mr Stevens moved tbs second reading of the Municipal Corporations Bill,— debate, was adjourned till Tuesday. The Slaughter Houses Amendment Bill ' was committed.—A discussion was raised oo the clause fixing slaughterers' aaonat fee at £25 instead of collecting, so much per head on stock killed, but ultimately it was reported without amendment, and was passed through its final stages, as also was the Public Proclamation Validation Bill (Dunedin).

The Oamaru Harbor Board Load Bill was further considered in Committee.— Part 1, giving power to borrow to pay old moitago and debentures was struck out on the motion of Dr Pollen.—Clause 10 was amended with a view to give power to borrow to pay off existing liabilities, but not for dredging, purposes or improvements.—The Bill was reported as amended.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. Replying to questions, it was stated that married women could not be allowed to take up sections in special settlements, and such concessions should not have been made to Wellington and Birmingham settlements ; there were some 33S of the. unemployed on relief works in different districts, but some of these were useful works ; that the number of young girls frequenting the Chinese quarters in Wellington and other large cities was exaggerated, and every precaution would be takbn to prevent a breach, of the Chinese Act 1881. Mr Seddon asked when the Public Works Statement would be delivered.— The Premier said that it would depend ou the facilities given by the honorable gentlemen opposite for getting on with the business.

Sir George Grey moved the adjourn* ment of the House to enable him to draw attention to the fact that a return that he had asked for some days ago respecting the quantity of land which the Midland Railway Company would select was incorrect, and he hoped the Premier wouUi postpone the matter till correct were received.—The Premier opposed it, and after a discussion the motion for adjournment was lost.

The Premier moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council la clause 3 of the Midland Railway contract be agreed to. The amendment was simply a proviso making it more certain that no claim could be made on the colony, and was in the same direction asthat moved by Mr ilowme Stewart. Sir George Grey moved that further consideration of the question be postponed until a complete return of the names and occupiers of land in the authorised area north of the Rakaia be laid on the table. He spoke at some length on the question, and said that the proposal for taking land m this way wonld justify another dissolution.

After further discussion the Premier’s motion was agreed to on the voices, and Sir George Grey’s amendment was lost. The House went into Committee on the Governor's Salary and Allbwsncea Bill.— Some discussion ensued.—Sir Julius Vogel wished the salary to be stated at £4OOO, with £IOOO for travelling allowances.— Dr Fitohett proposed that the salary be £4ooo.—Ultimately Dr Fitchett’s,motion was lost, and the Bill passed without amendment. The Ministers’ Salaries and Allowances Bill was committed. Sir Julius Vogel thought the BUI went too far, sad suggested that each Minister should receive £IOOO, and the Premier £l2so.—Attempts to reduce the number of Ministers, and to alter the amount of travelling expenses from 30s to 40s per day were defeated, and the Bill wee reported without amendment. i The Honorarium Amendment BUI was-*, then committed.—A number of amendments were proposed, but only one IBM carried, (providing that members of wie House of Representatives receive £IOO as honorarium and £SO for expenses, with the exception of Wellington members, who are only to receive £25 expenses. m Mr Bruce moved a new clause toth<F r effect that this Act shall be iu opeutifljjjp until the dissolution of the present merit and no longer.—Major Atkinson opposed, and the clause was lost by 45 to 26. The Governor’s Salary and Allowances Bill, Ministers' Salaries and Allowances Bid, PiT iatueniary Honorarium and Privihgrs Bill were read a third time and passed, and the House ,rose.