GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1743, 29 May 1888, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

On Friday The Attorney-General moved the sacond raading of the Chinese Immigrant* Act Ameadmant Bill, staling that it was intended only as a temporary measure, pending the decision of the Imperial Government.

Mr Waterhouse opposed it. It would, in his opinion, be iniqnilous to pass such a bill, and he moved the following amendment :—“That it is undesirable to proceed further with the Bill until the result of the conference to be held in Australia is known, a'so the result of the negotiations between lha English and Chinese* Governments now ponding,” On the motion of Mr Scotland, tha debate was adjourned till Tuesday. The River Boards Act Amendment Bill was committed, and passed nll its stagor, ;

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. On Friday Leave of absence was granted to Captain Russell on account of ill health. Replying to question*, it wits staled that no complaints had been received against the' Wo’linglon Garrison Bsnd playing in the vicinity of St. Mary’* Sunday school on Sunday afternoons ; lhaf there were no engines in the North Island large enough to burn firewood on (he Government railways ; that enquiries would be made as to the advisability of cancidling the licenses at present held by Native Interpreters, if it were found that unsuitable persons were acting as interpreter* ; that enquiries were being made as (o the necessity of providing land for Natives who suffered by the Tarawera volcano disaster; that the naren of the editor of the New Zealand Handbook was Edward Wakefield, but (list no remuneration had yet been fixad ; that freight on dead meat would not bo reduced further at present, as the rates were row vary '.on ; that it was possible a honorary commission would bo appointed to represent the colony at the Melbourne Exhibition ; that no definite information cotild bs given as to the data when ths Financial Statement weald be delive'ed.

Mr Fergus moved the second reading of the Nava! and Military FoiccsDiscip'ine Bill, providing for the maintenance of discipline in New Zealand ; watars.—Agreed to.

~ Mr Richardson moved the second reading of the Mning Act Amendmetit Hill.-rr 1 Adjourned. , Mr Hislop moved the second reading of the Administration Act Amendment Bill, which dealt with the administration of estate* deceased persons.—Agreed to. Mr Uielop moved the second reading of the Slaughter-house: Act Amendment Bill, which provided that it should be in force for twelve months from date, and that the fee payable for licenses should be such ns the licensing authorities may fix,t but not to exceed £2s.—After a debate, the bill was read a second time on the voices.

The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the Fair Rent Bill. Ha went through the clauses, explaining their bearing at some length. Briefly, the purpose of the measure was to enable a fair rent to be fixed for Crown lands or lands rested in and under the control of certain public authsrlties, and also for adjusting the price to be paid for land on deferred payments. On one or two points Government were prepared to receive amendments, notably as to the constitution of the court by whom rents were to b» fixed. —Sir George,Grey said the Bill ought to have become law years ago. He thought it should be expanded so as to include all tenants, and not only those of the Government. —Consideration of the bill was deferred till Tuesday. 1 Ihe Penalties Recovery and'Remission, Justices of the Peace Act Amendment; Demise of the Crowii, and the Westland and Greymouth Education Boards Bills wars read a second time. On the motion to go into Committee on the Codlin Moth Bill, Mr Merchant moved to defer it for a week, on the ground that scalyblight should be included in the operations of the Bill. He read extracts from Micosl’s book, showing the danger arising from this pest.—Mr Fulton said scale was found in hawlhorna hedges as well as fruit trees, and be did not think it should be inc'udedin this bill.—-Mr Kensaid scaly blight was very I easily dealt with through the-medium of sulphur and lime, but people ought to be compelled to use it generally.—After a few remarks from other members, the House went into committee on the bill,— The interpretation clause was amended by altering the age of trees from 2 to 4 years. —ln clause 10 the penalty was amended to “ any sum not exceeding fivs pounds.” —A new clause, was added, providing for a penalty for selling or exposing for sale affect'd fruit, —The Bil ! , was reported with amendmen s, and the House rose. (