GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1673, 15 December 1887, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. A petition was presented against the Divorce Bill. The Rabbit Pest Committee reported recommending that 40 miles of fencing be erected at the Hakataramea Valley at once, also that a farthing rate per head on sheep bo levied on flocks between the Waitaki and Waipara rivers j that Government join the other colonies in offering a bonus for the best means of exterminating the pest; that Government be asked to place £IO,OOO on the Estimates for snob a bonus. The following Bills were real a third time and passed; Corporations Bill, County Hospital Representation Bill, Sheep Acts Amendment Bill, Napier Harbor Board Endowment Bill. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Representation Bill, which was agreed to after a debate. The New Plymouth Harbor Board Reserve Exchange Bill was re-oon?mitted, and reported with Mr Scotland’s amendment.

Mr Bonar’a Irrigation and Water Supply Bill was committed, and progress reported. The Council adjourned at 4.30 to next day.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Monday. Mr Turnbull moved the adjournment of the House to draw attention to what he considered a most important matter. He said, by Order in Council recently issued under the Education Act, 1887, it was provided that after the Ist January next it shall not be lawful for teachers of public schools to have children in those schools who are under six years of ago or who have passed the sixth standard ; and that after the Ist April next no capitation would bo paid by the State to such children. He wished to say this was a most serious blow to the privileges of the Bouse, and protested against such regulations being issued while the question was under the consideration of Parliament. Major Atkinson said there was no interference with the privileges of the House in this matter. It was, be considered, advisable to give due notice to school teachers of the policy proposed to be pursued by the Government in tin's direction. If the House did not give effect to it there would be plenty of time to rescind the regulations. After considerable discussion the motion for adjournment was lost. Sir G. Grey gave notice to move in Committee of Supply that Government should not have advised the Governor to issue a proclamation depriving a large number of children of the privileges of education which the existing law give* them. The Land Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 27, relating to abolition of Land Boards, created a long discussion, and ultimately was struck out on the voices, and Land Boards were retained. The remaining clauses passed with verbal amendments. Mr J. 0. Brown, member for Tuspeka, was introduced by Sir G. Grey and took the oath and his seat. The Minister for Public Works then delivered his Statement. The Land Bill was resumed in Committee. A new clause providing that a selector of rural land on deferred payment under section 114 of the Land Act may obtain an extension of his license for four years was agreed to; also a new clause that the holder of cash lands on deferred payments under section 114 of the Lind Act shall be exempt from conditions of residence therein contained so soon as he has complied with the provisions for cultivation, etc,—New clauses were added to the Bill providing three members to bo elected by Councils of Counties, and one member by Councils of Boroughs, and providing for the payment of expenses of members of Boards at ten shillings per day, except in cases where members reside within three miles of the place of meeting. Progress was then reported. The M nister of Juetice moved the

second reading of the Civil Service Reform Act 1886 Amendment Bill, which was simply to enable Government to appoint constables in outlying districts as Clerks of Courts.-—Agreed to. The Wellington College and Girls’ High School Bill was read a second time. The Premier moved the second reading of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill, and Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill.»-Agreed to without discussion. The Civil Service Reform Act, 1880, Amendment Bill, Wellington College and Girls’ High School Bill, and Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill were read a third time and passed. The House adjourned at 2.16 a.ra. In the House on Tuesday, Replying to questions it was stated that Government would look into the

resolutions passed at the Stock Conference in Sydney with a view to having a general law on the subject; that if found desirable a small sum would on the Estimates as bonuses for the three best essays on local government; that a number of special settlement associations would be allowed to take up land to the extent of 320 acres ; that copies of all public Bills introduced into the House during each session could not, be forwarded to the public libraries of the colony. Mr Samuel wished to draw the attention of the House to a very important matter. He said he found by the journals of the Legislative Council that no less than six members of that Chamber had been ab-

sent without leave of Her Majesty or Government for two whole sessions, and he questioned whether they had not forfeited their seats in consequence. The gentlemen he referred to were Mr i Pharazyn, Mr Oliver, Mr Waterhouse, i Mr Holmes, Dr Menztes, and Dr Pollen. ■ —The Premier said it would be the duty \ of Government to look into the taatter, and see what steps had b?en rendered 1 necessary, 3 The Auckland Girls’ High School Bill, ' Pharmacy Act Amendment Bill, and t Public tieserves Sales Bill, were read a iccond time. x Th* House went into Committee on the t ~nd Girls’ High School Act Amend- I * nent Bill, and Christchurch Hospital Bill, * vhich were passed with slight amend- T oents. , C

The Land Bill was further considered in ‘Committee. ■ 'I !■ f,

Mr Walker moved a new clause to the effect that education reserves may he dealt with under this Act.

The debate was interrupted by the 6.30 p.m. adjournment. On resuming at 7.30 after some discussion Mr Walker’s clause was thrown out by 35 to 31. Sir George Grey moved a new clause to the effect that Land Courts be established to have power to regulate rents paid by deferred payment settlers, Mr Richardson said that Government had that day circulated a Bill dealing with that matter. He should therefore ask Sir George Grey to withdraw his clause. After a long debate the motion was lost by 34 to 26. A number of amendments were proposed and lost, and on the House resuming after the supper adjournment (11.20 p.tn.) Mr Richardson said he would not accept any further amendments in the Bill.

The Bill was ordered to be reported. The Government Railways Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 5 Constitution of Commissioners.

Mr Turnbull moved an amendment that a Railway Board should be appointed for each Island,

Mr Reeves (St. Albans) moved that two Boards be appointed consisting of three Commissioners each. There was an overwhelming opinion in the south that there should be a Board in the South Island, to inquire into any grievances that might arise.

A lengthy discussion followed. [Left sitting at 2 a.m.]