GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1757, 30 June 1888, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On Wednesday, Mr Hart moved that it is the duty of the State to substantially tax the profits derived from the use of the totalisator.— , After debate, the motiot was lost on « division by 16 to 17. An amendment by Mr Miller, that a Select Committee to enquire into the working of the totalisator be appointed, was carried on a division by 12 to 10. The adjourned debate on the second reading of Christchurch District Drainage Act, 1885, Amendment Bill, was continued. On Thursday Mr Wilson moved that a Committee be appointed to report whether Sir Frederick Whitaker, Mr Pharazyn, Mr Oliver, and Mr Wa'erhonse were disqualified from sitting in the Council through their absence.—On the suggestion of the Speaker, Mr Wilson withdrew hie motion in order to amend it so as to make it come within the Standing Orders. Mr Mantel moved a series of reielutioos in oonnection with certain expenses drawn from the Treasury by the Wellington members of the Council, snd asking that Government should legislate to avoid the recurrence of the transaction, —Agreed to. The Imprest Supply Bill was read a third time and passed. It was agreed that a Committee be appointed to make enquiry into the amount expended in conaection with the Gisborne Harbor Loan. HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. On Wednesday the Customs Bill was further considered in Committee. Free list—Machinery for agricultural purposes machinery for roller flour mills, machinery for mining purposes, and > electric machinery and appliances were added. Millboards and paper albumenised ware . added to the free list. In the item photo* graphic cameras, the words “ and lenses " were added. In the next item portable English traction engines were included. Printed books, papers, and music, the words “ not otherwise enumerated ” were inserted at the end of the Hoe. Salt, rock. Mr Perceval moved to insert the words “ and coarse salt," which was lost. Sheep dip, also scab exterminators, were added to the free list. Steam fire engine! were struck out on the Premier’s motion. Tinsmith’s fitting were struck out. Tobacco for sheep wash, “ being rendered ’ unfit for human consumption," and hydraulic cranes were added to the list. The schedule as amended was then passed. The time for imposing the duty on tobacco, cigars, etc., was extended from the Ist January, 1889, to Ist December, 1890. The Bill was then reported with amendments’ and recommitted for consideration of particular items. A new clause was added to the Bill, exempting machinery before May 31st, providing it was delivered in the colony from the pass* iug of the Act. Item apparel was altered to read “ not otbeiwise enumerated,” and textile or other piece goods inserted in place of “ silk, cotton, linen, or wool.” . The following alterations were made:— Candied peel, 5d per lb; clocks and watches, 20 per cent; cordage and rope, not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent; cotton piece goods, not otherwise enumerated, Ift per cent; cutlery, 20 per cent; feathers, 25 per cent; fireclay (ground), 20 per cent; fresh fruits, £d per lb (after u long debate and two divisions); fruit preserved by sulphurous acid, £d per lb ; furs, 25 per cent; grain (namely, : barley), 2s per IftOib; hardware, ironmongery, and holloware, 20 per cent; Hessian, sot exceeding dl per yard, 15 per cent ; handbills, programmes and circulars, daybills, and printed posters, 20 per cent ; Jewellery, 20 per cent ; lead in sheets, 30 per cent; leathev bags and leggings, leather cut into shapes, leather and cloth bags and leather manufactures not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent; maizeua and corn Sour, id per lb ; matches, from Is to 5s 61 per gros*, according to description; heel and toe plates, 20 per cent. ; nets and netting, 20 per cent.; oysters (preserved), 21 per lb; millinery, viz., trimmed hats, etc., reduced from 25 to 20 pur cent. ; paper bags, 35 per cant.; plated and plated ware, 20 per cent. ; putty, 2a per cwt. ; saccharine, 5s per ounce ; sauces, 3s per dozen pints; silk and silk velvet in the piece, 25 per cent. ; soda crystals, 2a par 1 cwt; spices, including pepper, 4d per lb ; spirits of all kinds (not less than 165 degrees under proof) 16s per gallon, in bulk 15a; sulphur, reduced to 6d per cwt; wine not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent.; wax, parafine, mineral, vegetable, and Japanese, l£d par lb; wine (sparkling), 9s per gallon ; wool pockets, reduced from 8d to 6d ; yarns not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent. ; zinc (roll), 2(lp3r cent., was struck out. The Bill was reported with amend-

I ments. i Oa Thursday ftsplying to questions, it was stated that it was not necessary to- hare the prices printed on railway tickets, as they were posted up at all railway stations; that charters of clubs could not be cancelled unless a breach of the law were proved, but that it was not proposed to renew charters of clubs which held their meeting* in hole's ; that Government did not propose to raise any farther taxation by a bachelor tax at preseal; that it was not proposed to introduce a Bill to regulate the distillation of spirits within the colony; that Government were not neglectful of the recent case of illegal sealing at the Auckland Island, but it would not be wise to disclose the steps taken ; that steps would be taken, after receiving a reply from Australian ports, to place a lighthouse on one of the Auckland Islands, also to bring McQuarrie Islands under the jurisdiction of New Zealand ; that the expediency of spending a reasonable sum in opening up a coach road from Mossburn to Manapcuri and Te Auan Lakes, with a view to making the districts accessible attractive to tourists and excursionists, was receiving consideration ; that there was no truth iu the rumor that Colooel Trimble, Mr Wright, nod Mr Nichols were to be appointed Railway Commissioners ; that Resident Magistrates’ Court bailiff* were not appointed by Government, but by the magistrates, and that if any cases were brought before Government where bailiff* interfered at elections steps would be baleen to prevent it; that no excepJonal steps were necessary in consideration of the outbreak of scab in the north of the colony, as scab was confined to a small area, but that the Minister would be glad to receive suggestions from the Slock

Committee; that; if the judgment given on Wednesday in Christchurch by Mr Jostice Ward (that it must be shown that sheep are actually not raerey technically scabby) were correct, it «rai clear that an amendment of the Sheep Act was necessary. The Nelson Foreshore Reserve B ; ll, and the Auckland Harbor Improvement BiH were passed through Committee without amendment. Mr Leveatam moved the second reading of the Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill. He said the object of the Bill was to enable local bodies to fix a license for aelling game at a sum not exceeding £s.—Agreed to. In Committee on the Licensing Committees Klection Bill, Mr Fulton moved a new clause enabling adult women to ™te. —The clause was adopted by 35 to 27. Mr Fish moved to report progress. The motion was lost by 46 to 30 Mr Steward begged Mr Fulton not to insist on adding the clause to the Bill, as it might imperil the whole measure. He agreed with the principle of the women * Tote, but thought this was not the right time to deal with the question.

On resuming, after the supper adjournment, only ten members were present, and the Chairman having left the chair. the Speaker declared the House adjourned for want of a quorum at 11.7 p.m.