GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1784, 1 September 1888, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On Wednesday, The Property Tax Bill passed all its stages. It was decided not to insist on the amendments in the Native Lands' Frauds Prevention Act, 1881, Amendment Bill. A message was received from the Houseof Representatives, stating that they bad agreed to the amendments made by the Council io. the Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill, with the exception of the retention of section 13. The Gdqncil decided not to aocede to the proviso in clause 13 as made by the House of Reprer entatives.

The following Bills were passed:—The Road Boards Act Amendment Bill, the Appropriation Bills, and the Naval and Military Land Claims Bill. The report of the conference on the Native Lands Frauds Prevention Bill and Native Land Court Bill was agreed to.' The Local Bills Committee reported hat they had examined the Gisborne Harbor Act Amendment Bill, and recommended that, it be not proceeded with further this Beenion.—-Mr Stevens moved the second reading of the Bill, and this* was carried. On Thursday,

The Gisborne Harbor Act, 1884, Amend* meot Bill was read a third time and passed. Mokau Moh ukatino Bill was read a th'rd time and passed.

HOU3E OP KEPaE3ENTATIYES. On Wednesday, The Mokau Mohakatino Bill was read a •" second time, aud committed. Mr Tuipua strongly opposed. It was decided, on the Premier's uiotioD, that all the amendments made by the

Council in the Native Laod Court Bill be agreed to, with the exception of the one providing that no rehearing shall be given to the Porangahau, Mangamairi, and Ngarara blocks. Mr Q. F. Richardson moved-/tbat if, jt appeared on further enquiry by Government that the claims in tbe petitions of John Lundon, Carmichael Brothers. Malcolm and Isbestor, Simpson, Latham, Knorpp, and Adam Jack wore just and reasonable claim*. Government should pay the same.—Agreed to. The Conference on the Native Land Court Amendment Bill reported that it bad been agreed that the three blocks ib dispute should not be alienated till after next session—Agreed to. Replying to Mr Carroll, Mr Mitcheison laid that the Government would consider during the recess the question of giving; land to those Natives whose land had been rendered valueless by the Tarawora eruption. The Mokau Mohakatino Bill was read a third time and passed, clause 8, giving a monopoly of lease for two yean to Mr - Joshua Jones, being strnck out. Mr Barron asked Government, if before sanctioning tbe construction of a tunnel at Purakanui or agreaing to any deviation of the railway line between Dunedin and Waitati, they will give full consideration tfl a route by the Kaikorai Vailey. Mr Mitcheison replied that he regretted the Government had not funds nt their disposal to carry out the line suggested, if it proved practicable. Before proceeding with the proposed tunnel at Purakanui, he would have enquiries instituted as to the feasibility of the several routes suggested, and unless the projected work at the Cliffs was considered the most ueeful it would not be gone on with. On Thursday, The Gisborne Harbour Board Bill was received from tbe Legislative Council, with amendments, .altering the apportionment of taxation in special districts.—The amendments were agreed to, Replying to Mr Moss, Mr Fergus eaid that he should look into the whole question of .the mode of issuing distress warrants during the renew. Some discussion ensued on a question put by Mr Jackson with referenee to being heard on a certain petition before the House.—The Piemier aaid that he should enquire into the matter, as it had only just been brought to his notice.—Mr Jackson moved the adjournment of the House, and eaid'that the Natives interested in the Tauponnitea block were so angry at the manner in which they had been treated in not being allowed to give evidence in that matter, that 480 of them went out and threatened to cut the Bnrvey line. He hoped Government would appoint a Commission to take nvidence on oath in. the matter, aod th*t the evidence be printed.—Tbe motion that the evidence be printed was carried, and that for the adjournment of the House was lost. .'Jhe Speaker re»d a list of Bills which had received the. Governor's assent. The Premier stated that Government intended to prorogue Parliament next day by Proclamation. Replying to Mr Barroo the Premier said that he should, during the recesß look into the question of grantirg a bonuß for the manufacture of wrought and bar iron from aorap iron. Government bad not bad time to consider this during the session. The House then adjourned.