GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1936, 29 August 1889, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

On Tuesday, The following Bills were road a third time and passed:—The Ngarau and Waipiro Further Investigation Bill ; the Land Transfer Bill; and the Orimakatea Title Empowering Bill, The amendments made by the House of .Representatives in the Eire and Marifielnsurance Companies Bill were not agreed to, and a Committee were appointed to confer with the other House.

The amendments made by the House of Representatives in the Animals Protection Amendment Bill was agreed to, and the Bill was reported with amendments. The Port of Thames Definition Bill, and-; the Poutatau Jurisdiction Bill, were .read a second time.

HOU3S OF REPRESENTATIVES. On Monday, The Premier, without making a general statement, said that Government‘did 1 not intend to proceed with Corrupt Practices Bill, the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill, and Destitute Persons Bill. He could not say' definitely what Government would do ; about : the Property Assessment Bill, but probably they would not proceed with that measure. Government hoped that the House would pass the. Native Bills, and further hoped that the remainder of the Estimates would be passed that night, and in a ' day or two Government would state what their intentions were with respect to public works. He thought the House could be prorogued in about a fortnight. said ,the Opposition viewed with disapprobation an amendment, of which notice had been given, to tax colonial bondholders.—-The Premier regarded the proposal as mischievous.—Sir George Grey defended it.—The Premier moved the adjournment to reply to Sir George Grey, iand was followed by Sir John Hall, Mr Downie Stewart and others, who denounced the proposal.—The motion for the adjournment of the debate was then negatived. On the motion for going into Committee on the Selectors Land Revaluation ! Bill, Mr McKenzie (Waihemo) moved that it be an instruction to the Committee to insert a clause to remove the doubts that have arisen whether the land acquired by individuals under the Land Act before 1887 should be taken into account in calculating the amount of land to be taken np under the Land Act, 1887. This was agreed to.—ln committee several amendments were proposed—one applying the Bill to the tenants of the School Commissioners of Otago—but lost, and progress was reported. The, Premier moved the second reading of the Savings Bank Act, 1859, Amendment Bill, to make mortgages valid under the Land Transfer Act.—Agreed to. The Wi Pefe Land Grant Bill was committed, read a third time and passed. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply Mr Verrall moved as an amendment “ That it is desirable ■that a State Bank be established in the colony.” After some discussion the debate was adjourned till next day. On Tuesday, ; Replying to questions; Ministers said that : it was the. intention of Government' to place a sum on the supplementary estimates to provide for special cases in connection with ■: assisted immigration. Enquiries would be made as to what steps were being taken by Cattle Boards in reference to diseased cattle. The Timaru Harbour Board Loan Bill was read a first time, . The Public Works Act Amendment Bill, the Native Land Court Act Amendment Bill, and Native Lands Brand Prevention Act Amendment Bill were read' a second time. Mr Mitchelson moved the second reading of the North Island Main -Trunk Railway Loan. Appropriation Act B Amendment Bill to provide for setting apart the sum of £120,285 frbni the North Island Trank Railway loan for purchasing land along the line of railway. Part of the land was to be devoted to purposes of primary education.—Mr Ballance supported the Bill, but suggested that 5 per cent, should be set apart for primary educa- ,. tion. instead of per cent.—The " second reading was agreed to. Mr Peroival resumed the debate on Mr Yerrall’s amendment to going into Committee on Supply—“ That it is desirable that a State Bank should be established” He advocated the appointment of a Committee to report on the subject. Mr Ballance also spoke in favour of referring the question. After further discussion the amendment was put and lost by 42 to 18. In Committee of Supply—Customs offices and services, £32,920. In reply to a question the Premier said Mr Shannon ‘ was engaged for 12 months at £BOO, and 80s a day travelling expenses. He had saved the colony £SOOO. A number _of amendments were proposed reducing items of the vote, but were lost. The House was still sitting when the telegraph office closed at 2 a.m on Wednesday.