GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1918, 18 July 1889, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On Tuesday, On the motion of Mr Wilson, copies of the correspondence between Mr District Judge Ward and Christie were ordered to be placed on the table. In moving the second reading of the Legislative Council Bill, the AttorneyGeneral said that he thought the time had come for a reformation of the Council, and that the nominated system was the very worst, as the Government could send up members to carry any particular measure. —The debate was adjourned. The Registration of Births ExlcnBion Bill was read a second time.

HOULE OP SEPBEBENTATIYES. On Tuesday, Replying to questions, Ministers Baid that provision was made in the Charitable Aid Bill for a distinction between innocent children and criminal children. Government could not agree to bring in a Bill to provide for making the railway between Eketahuna and Woodvilie on similar terms to those proposed in connection with the Otago Central Railway. Government •would consider the matter of placing a sum on the Estimates as a subsidy towards the funds of public libraries and reading rooms. Government proposed to bring in a Bill dealing with the cases of deferred payment settlers, who it had been found had paid more than the value of their holdings as shown by the valuation made since last session. Mr Hislop moved the second reading of the Representation Act Amendment Bill. He explained that the Bill proposed to restore the quota to 25 per cent instead of 18 per cent as provided for by the Bill of 1887. The second sub-section proyided that the four cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and every borosgh and town district within a mile of those cities, a deduction of 25 per cent shall be made from the population of such cities, boroughs, and town districts. The Bill also provided for the amalgamation of city electorates. He hoped that the country members would agree to the quota being fixed at 25 per cent. —Messrs Taylor, Fish, and Dr Hodgkinson opposed the Bill. The debate was then adjourned until to-morrow. The Dunedin Exhibition Street Closing and Licensing Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed. Mr Hislop moved the second reading of the Law of Libel Bill, the object of which, he said, was to adopt the latest legislation of the Old Country in reference to libel.—The second reading was agreed to on the voices.

The House went into Committee on the Patents Bill. Progress was reported, and the House rose.