GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2083, 9 August 1890, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOU.sE OF REPRESENTATIVES, On Wednesday. ALLEGED DOM.MYISM.

Mr Foulton brought up the report of the Waste Lands Committee on a charge of dummyism preferred by Mr Duncan, the member for Waitaki, against Mr Thomas McKenzie, member for Olutha. The report was to the effect that the charges against Mr McKenzie were disproved. Mr Rhodes, as one of the committee, thought it unfair of Mr Duncan to allow such a serious charge against Mr McKenzie [o remain for such a long period. He should have retracted the charge when he found that he had been misled. The Committee had gone very fully into the matter, and had found that there was neiiber gridironing nor dummyism on Mr McKenzie’s part. Mr Duncan retorted that the Committee had not gone fqlly into the papers connected with this matter. The charges be had inndo he considered were conclusively proved with the exception of dummyism which he had fpade inadvertently, and had no intention of dojmg.

Mr T, MacKenz'e (Oluthaj said be bad no feelijtlg at ajl against Mr Duncan, as that bon, gentlemen had evidently been misled by reports whioh were spread about at tbe time, and he (Mr McKenjsie) was glad an opportunity had been given for inquiring into the whole circumstances. Ho hoped, however, Mr Duncan would now ’admit that the charges ho had made agaipst liifpself were without foundation. After eorpa the report was ordered to lie o$ the table. suryty.

The House then went into Committee of supply to consider the estimates.

An item £450 for the Crown Lands Commissioner of Nelson and West Coast was struck out, Aij allpmpt to reject the

item of £SOO for the Maintenance of Haomer Hot Springs failed, and the amount was passed. The SurveyorOeneml’s Salary of the 750 was cut down by £SO, and a great many other items' were reduced. On Thursday, danikl mahonby’s petition. . The Public Petitions Committee reported on the petition of Dani-l Mahoney, for payment for work done as architect whilst he was in the Oivip Service. 7 The report recommendei that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Mr Grimnoond moved an amendment that Mr Mahoney’s claim ,be agreed to, and that the petition be referred back' to the Committee to estimate the amount.. A discussion, which lasted the whole afternoon, took place on th« subject, The amendment was carried on the voices. SCHOOL COMMITTEES ELECTION BILL. Major Steward (Waimate) moved the second reading of..the School Committees Election Bill. He exp'ained that it was practically the same as the measure; which was passed by the House last session and its main feature was the repeal of the cumulative vote, which f he House bad so frepuently condemned. The motion for the second reading was agreed to without a division. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL. Major Steward (WVimate) moved the second reading of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1886, Amendment Bill, empowering h counc.l to regulate the. traffic ot traction engit es on streets or roads within boroughs. The motion was agreed to. LAW PRACTITIONERS DISQUALIFICATION BILL. Mr YerrHl moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Disqualification Bill, to prevent any barrister or Solicitor in active practice, within one year of a general * lection, from being eligible for nomination at an election fora seat in the House. The motion was agreed to. CORONERS’ INQUEST BILL. The Coroners’ Inquest Bill was considered in Committee. Clauees 1,2, and 8 were agreed to with a few verbal amendments. A new clause was iosered, providing for the payment of Coroners’ jurors at the rate of 7s fid par day, or portion of a day, Another new.clause was added to the effect that no publican shaM be required to receive a dead body into bis house for the purpose of an inquest when there is a rnorgoe within two miles. The Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed. Mr Seddon moved the adjournment of the House

Ayes 18 ; Noes 18. The Speaker voted with the Ayes. The House rose at 11.15 p.m.