GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1780, 23 August 1888, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. * On Monday, Sir Frederick Whitaker said it was with very derp regret that he had to announce the death ef their esteemed councillor, Dr Menzies, who was the oldest member among them, and had always performed his dut'es with diligence. It was only a few days ago that the deceased gentleman sat in his seat, apparently In good health, and none of the councillors contemplated then that bis death would have occurred so soon. Sir Frederick Whitaker then moved the adjournment of the Council till the following day, aud this was agreed to. On Tuesday, In answer to Mr Reynolds, Sir Frederick Whitaker said that the cost of reinstating the Wellington lost Office was £14,500. The Maori chiefs Para Tutare, Wirernu Pomare, and Akul.ata Tupaea addressed the Coined from the bar, pro'esMug against the Maori Bills now becoming law, and expressing a hope that before the Council had agreed to the measure pasaiag, Parliament would wait for the result of the large meeting shortly to be held at Waitangi, at which the'provisions of the Bills would be discussed by the Maoris. The Attorney-General mov»d the second reading of the Native Land Bill, Native Lands Frauds Prevention Bill, 5 and the Native Lind Court Act, 1886, Amendment Bill ; and, after a debate, they were tend a second time, and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. It was agreed that the amendments of the Council in the Mining Act AmenJment Bill should be adhered to.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. On Monday, The Piemier referred in feeling teams to the death of the late Dr Menz es, M.L.C., and the House adjourned till the evening sitting. On resuming, Mr Hamlin asked if the report of the Moknu Jones Commission was nearly ready,—The Premier said that he had not yet received the report. The Premier then proceeded to state what business Government proposed to go on witli this session. They intended to drop all but eleven Bills, five of which had already passed the Council. With the exception of the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act, Repeal Bill, and the Harbors Act, 1888, Amendment B 11, there were none which would take up any time. The latter measure opened up a great and important question, which must be dealt with, unless (he House proposed to keep some of the Harbor Boards to their engagements. The Public Works Statement might possibly take some time, but on the whole he saw no reason why the House should not finish this week. Besides the business on the Order Paper, he hoped to get another conference with the Council on the Chinese Bill, and be had hopts that a measure acceptable to all would yet be agreed to. With regard to the deferred-payment settlers, Government had determined to instroct (he public rangers to report into each case where (litre was hardship, and their reports should be laid before the House to deal will) next session. In the meantime where there was reason to suppose rent was too high the surplusage should not be col'ccted until the House had an opportunity of deciding the question. Ho was much disappointed tiiat the Pair Rent Bill had not passed the Council, but Government would give all the relief they could do to Crown tenants. As to the local Bills, he would give Thursday morning for their consideration, but some arrange? ment must be made t« keep back those which are likely to be opposed. The Premier moved the discharge of thirteen Bills from the Order Paper, some of which, he remarked, he gave up with regret. After a few rernaiks, the Bills were discharged from the Order Paper. A number of Bills were then considered in Committee. The Crown and Native Lands Rating Aet Amendment Bi'l was read a third lime and passe 1, and the House rose at 1 45 a.ra. On Tuesday, Replying to questions, it was stated that the whole question of the properry tax would be carefully considered during the recess ; that a letter fi-id bten received from Mr Yai e to the effect that several influential gentlemen in Auckland had offered a substantial guarantee for a trid of the Yailo system on the Auckland lines, but that nothing less than a cash deposit of £IOO,OOO would satisfy the Government, and it was not proposed to accept ihe offer; that £IOOO had bi-en placed on the Estimates for the nominated immigration of the wives and children of residents of the colony ; that Government could not hold out any hope of formulating a scheme to provide for forest treeplanting by the State ; that sufficient land imd beou reserved for mining purposes under the Midland Railway contract ; ihat it was believed that no further contribution would bo given towards'the government if Now Gu nea ; that Goveinmoi t had no intention of bringing in a Bill lo give rffjct to Mr Vai'<’s proposal to lease the Auckland railways for five years ; that a sum would be put on the Estimates for ano her shipment i.f salmon ova ; that Co'ouel Haultam had resigned as one of the Representation Commission duiing the recess, and Government proposed to ask the H/’Uso to consent to his reappointment. The Baling Act Amendment Bill was fur (her considered in Conmr'ttee, and the remaining clauses passed. The Fenciog'Act Amendment Bill was fmther'considered in Committee. Consider, iVe debate took place on the schedule defining a legal fence. Tne schedule was eventually passed amended to readone or more harped wires, and the remainder plain," instead of four barbed wires only. 'The Justices of the Peace Act Amendment Bill wis considered in Committee, Anew c use enabling Justices lo tajp any declarations or affirmations was agreed 10. Tim Lind Truisfir Aet Amendment Bill wiis'fu ther considered in Onmmitiee, and passed with ametidm n s. The Hating Ac f Amrv dment BiH, the Perming Act Amendment Bill, and (he Land Transfer Acl Amendment Hi I were r- > d a (i i rl i ’ms ml p»SM-d. Mr Tanner rn-jved the lecnm.n tlai <'( (he D'st'ict Railways Purchasing Acl Aiheiid'nient Bill for the purpose ol

amending it to give relief to the settlers in the Duntroon-Hakattmraea district. — Agreed to. Mr White moved that the schedu'e be recommitted for the purpose of striking out the Rotorua railway, which had suffered from tlie Tarawera eruption. The dvb'ite was adjourned do the voices, and th» House rose.