GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1929, 13 August 1889, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Oh Friday a number of Bills were introduced, and read a first time. Mr Wilson moved for the appointment of a select committee to report upon the circumstances which led to the correspondence between the G-o----vernment and Mr District Judge Ward. The Attorney-General objected to the motion, which was carried, after a division, by 21 to 18. The Mercantile Law Act Amendment Bill, the Shipping and Seamen’s Act Amendment Bill, and the Selectors’ Land Ro-valuation Bill were read a second time.

... HOU2E OF REPRESENTATIVES. On Friday, Mr Hislop moved the adjournment of the House in order to make a statenent as to his connection with the Ward-Christie case. He denied that he had interfered with the interests of justice in the matter, and explained that all be had done was at the suggestion of a deputation who waited on him at Oamaru with the statement that there had been a mistake in the evidence.—A lengthy discussion followed, in which Mr Ballance, Mr Larnach, Mr Fish, Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Hutchison, and Mr Seddon urged the appointment of a committee of enquiry. On resuming after the 7,30 adjournment the Premier moved that the House at its rising adjourn to Monday, at 7.30 p.m. for Government business only.— Mr Larnach moved as an amendment, that the sitting be for the purpose of considering the appointment of a select committee to investigate the Ward-Hislop case.— After further debate the amendmeat was lost by 40 to 36. Five members who usually vote with the Government walked out of the House. The Premier moved the second reading of the Property Assessment Act Amendment Bill without remark* —Mr Moss moved as an amendment: “ That the property taxis unfair in its incidence, harassing in its effects, and injurious to the progress of the country.” —Mr Seddon moved the adjournment of the debate. The Premier complained that a surprise amendment had been sprung on him after he had arranged with the leader of the Opposition to bring on the debate to-night.—Mr Ballance said that in all his experience he had never known the Colonial Treasurer to bring forward such an important Bill without a word of explanation. The debate was adjourned till next sitting day. The second reading of the Canterbury Society of Arts Reserve Bill, the Public Reserves Act Amendment Bill, the Otago Marriage Bill, and tho Marriage Act Amendment Bill was agreed to. The House then went into committee on the Patents Design and Trade Marks Bill. Clause 12—Penalty for unauthorised assumption of royal arms was struck out. A new clause was inserted providing that ho trade mark shall be registered for artificial manures manufactured in the colony unless accompanied by a certified analyses of the component parts by a competent analytical chemist, a copy of which shall be attached to ©very box or package sold.—The Bjll was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. ; Consideration of the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Criminal Evidence Bill then came on.—Mr Hutchison moved that the amendment made by the Council he not agreed to.—The amendment was to the effect that if the accused refrained from giving evidence or calling his wife or her husband, he or she should not be prejudiced and no adverse comment should be allowed to be made against the accused.—The motion was carried by 26 to 15.—A committee consisting of Mr Fergus, Mr Hutchison, and Mr Samuel was appointed to draw up reasons for disagreeing with tho amendments.