GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2091, 28 August 1890, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On Tuesday, SHIPPING AND seamen’s BILL The Shipping and f?eamen’a Act Amendment Bill was read a second time by 13 to 12. EMPLOYEES LIABILITY BILL. The second reading of the Employers Liability Bill (which passed the House of Representatives) was lost by 11 to 10. GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE BILL. The adjourned debate on the Government Life insurance Act Amendment Bill was resumed, and the second reading was agreed to. HOUciE OE REPRESENTATIVES. On Monday, THE .MEMBER POE TIMARU. Mr Hall Jones, the newly elected member for Timaru, took the oath and his seat. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. Replying to Sir John Hall, Mr Mitcbelson said that the Government bad considered the question brought to their notice last week by a deputation of members, urging a deviation of Midland Railway by lake Brunner. They would introduce a Bill containing a clause providing for the proposed deviation being carried out after an Order-in-Council had been issued, but they could not issue that Order-in-Council till the Belgrove section was well under weigh, and the money provided for that section.

WESTPORT-NGAEAWAU RAILWAY BILL. Mr Fish resumed the debate on the Westport-Ngakawau Railway Bill, and spoke at some length against it. Mr Bruce warmly; supported the Bill, and maintained that it was the duty of the Government to make the line.

Sir George Grey, Dr Hodgkinson, and Mr Smith opposed the Bill. Mr Harkness, in supporting the Bill, said that if the line were completed it would improve the harbor and increase its revenue. , Mr Walker said that he would certainly oppose what was nothing more or . less than a proposal to construct ai continuous siding for a private company.

Dr Fitchett moved the adjournment of the House, for he felt that unless this Bill were disposed of no business would b© transacted this evening, Mr O’Connor sa id only the "Union Company’s vessels could now get coal on the West Coast, and one of the objects of the Mokihinui Company, which was urging the WestportNgakawau railway extension, was to establish free trade in coal. Further, the Union Company were contriving to limit the output of coal so as to raise the price ; that it made the yield of Westport mines serve its purpose, and by shutting up the Grey Yalley mines saved a day’s steaming on their vessels.

Mr Hobbs supported the Bill, He declared that there was a “ coal ring ” throughout the House, and members who were large shareholders in the coal companies should not be allowed to vote on the Bill. After others had spoken the second reading of the Bill was agreed to on the voices SECOND READINGS.

The Oaths, The Census Act Amendment Bill, the Dentists Act Amendment Bill, the Horomana Faatu Land Grant Bill,, the Education Reserves Act Amendment Bill, the Arbitration Bill, the Mercantile Agents Bill, the Volunteer Drillshed and Lands Bill, the Trustees Validation Bill, and the Companies Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. The House rose at midnight. On Tuesday, QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Izard, Mr Mitchelson said that the Government would waive the Statute of Limitations with respect to Sir Jnlius Vogel’s claim against the colony, hut they could not see their way to interfere: with the Crown Suits Act (which provides that all actions must be commenced within twelve months) in this case. MIDLAND RAILWAY DEVIATION BILL. Mr Mitchelsou gave notice to introduce the Midland Railway Deviation Bill. Mr Seddon warned the Government against allowing any interference with the Midland Railway contract, for he felt sure that if the contract was once broken great difficulties would arise: This Bill was a private Bill to all intents and purposes, and was brought in in the interests of the Midland Railway Company. That being so, he considered that he was altogether released from his share of the compact entered into between the Government and the Opposition for transacting only necessary business for the rest of the session, and he should feel justified in using all the forms of the House in opposing it. Several members having spoken for and against, the discussion was allowed to drop, pending the introduction of the measure. OTHER BUSINESS. It was announced that Parliament would be prorogued the week after next. The Sheep Bill was read a third time and passed. The Volunteers Drillshed and Lands Trustees Validation Bill passed without amendment. The Cattle Bill was amended so as to inflict a penalty not exceeding £SO on a person giving diseased carcases to pigs to eat. Some warm discussion took place on the Rabbit Nuisance Bill, which provides that anyone letting live rabbits loose will be subject to 12

months’ imprisonment, The debate was adjourned. * The' Electoral Bill was amended-so as to enable returning officers to make an unofficial declaration of the poll where all seamen have not voted, and also to enable electors who cannot read and write, to vote in the .presence of the returning officer and scrutineers. The House rose at 12 15 a m.