GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2158, 3 February 1891, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 230 p.m on Friday, THE COLONY'S BANKING CONTRACT. Eeplying to Mr Stevens, Mr Buckley said that the Government could not give a definite answer as to whether it was their intention to continue or determine the banking contract of the colony. The matter would be considered during the recess. SIB WILLIAM FITZ HERBERT. Dr Pollen said that as the prorogation was close at hand, ho would move that this Council desires to express its high appreciation and esteem for the very able manner in which Sir William Fitzherbert had so long discharged his duties, and expressed its sympathy and regret for the circumstances which led to his resignation, Mr Stevens seconded the motion, and spoke in higly eulogistic terms of the late Speaker. The motion was carried, and the Council rose at 2.50 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2,30 p.m. on Friday. the abdeess in eeplt. At 2.45 p.m., the Speaker with the mover and seconder of the Addreas-in-Beply, proceeded to Government House for the purpose of presenting the address to the Governor. CHAEGES AGAINST THE LATE PEOEEBTT TAX COMMISSIONER.

The Premier laid on the table a letter written by Sir Harry Atkinson to Mr Gilbert Mair, respecting the charges made by Mr Thompson, the member for Marsden, against Mr Sperrey, the Property Tax Commissioner, Mr Thompson moved that an "enquiry be held into the affair, and after considerable discussion this was agreed to. MINISTEEIAIi STATEMENT. The Premier made a Ministerial statement as to the progress of business. He said that he believed it was the desire of both sides of the House that an immediate prorogation of Parliament should take place, There was no business of any importance on the Order Paper, and the Government proposed to adjourn at half-past five o’clock that afternoon, and the prorogation would take place next day. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

Replying to Mr Saunders, the Premier said that the Government intended to consider the question of amending the Standing Orders with a view to the better regulation ot debates in the House. They did not consider that any legislation was necessary on the subject. Ihe amendments they would propose would not interfere in any way with the rights of the minority of the House. Replying to Mr Mackenzie (Olutha), the Premier said that a Bill would be brought in next session to legalise several titles on the East Coast, which were rendered defective through the of the Native Lands Uourt. Mr Rees moved the adjournment of the House to enable him to speak on this question. During the course of the debate followed several members spoke strongly against the action of the late Government in removing police constables from place to place, thus causing great hardship, especially on the West Coast of the South Island. Replying to Mr G. F. Richaidaon, the Minister of Lands said that owing to,the short time the Government had been in office he had not been able to bring down any amendment in the Land Act, but it would be his endeavor to minimise the evils that had sprung up in the shape of dummyism, and he should never allow any applicant to evade the law. He shoufd hold an enquiry into the transactions of the past two years, and if he found people in possession of lands illegally he 4- should have their leases cancelled. In, reply to Mr Mills, the Premier promised to introduce a Bill next session, providing that the general body of electors receive the same privilege as seamen of voting under an electoral right between the nomination and the polling day. In answer to other questions, it was stated that the Government did not intend to abolish the stock tax on sheep; and that next session the question of reform of the Legislative Council would be taken into consideration. The House adjourned at 6 p.m.