GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2396, 8 September 1892, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. The amendments of the Committee m the Wesleyan Bill were adopted, on the motion of Mr Bamicoat, who said that although the Bill did not satisfy the aspirations of the Wesleyan body, they would accept it for the present. Sir Patrick Buckley moved the second reading of the Electoral Bill. Although opposed to women's franchise, believing aa he did that woman's proper sphere was the fireside, yet out of loyalty to his colleagues he should support the measure. Sir George Whitmore opposed the Bill. Mr Pharazyn and Mr Olliver strongly supported the women's franchise. On the motion of Mr Downie Stewart the debate was adjourned till next day. The Council rose at 5.45 p.m.

HOXTSE PF REPBESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. BEPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Palmer, Mr Seddon said that, owing to the verdict arrived at in the inquest on the body of Plummer at Auckland, and the Superintendent of Police haying enquired into the matter, the Government did not intend to take further steps.— Mr Palmer moved the adjournment of the House, and spoke strongly agaiust the action of the police in this matter. —Mr Seddon defended the action of the police.—Mr Rees, Sir George Grey, and Mr -Rotteston thought there should be a further investigation of the matter, but the subject dropped. In reply to other questions, it was stated that instructions had been given to the several Commissioners of Crown Lands to set aside &s much land as the law allowed as reserve for primary education, but the Miniate? iov Lands would look iuto the whole matter during the recess, to see if anything further were required to be done in that direction ; that the Governviiont would ask Mr Beetham, the Resident Magistrate at Christchurch, for the facts connected with his recent decision on Sunday liq«wr gelling. The Home rose at 5.30 p.m., and resumed at 7.30. THE LASM PILL. The Land Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause U6—The Governor may grant leases for the encouragement of seal fisheries. -- The clause was eventually struck out. Clause 119—Crown, hinds not to be sold for non-payment of. fates. — After some debate the Minister of Lsti}4/3 proposed that if rates remained unpaid i<x , thirty days after notice had been served by the Waste Lands Board the Board may declare th& lease or license to be forfeited.—The amendment was agreed to, and toe clause passed a* amended. In clause 132, Mr Scobie Mackenzie ; proposed to add deferred payment to the tlnao systems of purchase (namely, cash, occupation with right to purchase, and lease in perpetuity) but the motion was rejected by 28 to %%, and the clause passed as printed.

Clause 134 Residence to be compulsory.—On the motion of Dr Newniau the term of compulsory residence was fixed at f oar years instead of three years.

Clause 134 Residence to be compulsory—was discussed at £reat length.— In the first sub-section Mr Thompson (Marsden) moved that the term of continuous residence on bush lands or swamp lands be three years instead of eight years as printed in the Bill.—The Hon. J. McKenzie said ho could not accept that amendment, but ho was willing to fix the term at six years.—After a discussion of over four hours' duration ib,o

House divided on Mr Thompson's amendment, which was lost by 23 to 13.—The term was then altered to six years in accordance with the Minister's suggestion.—The term of residence on open or partly open land was altered to seven years, the period originally contained m the Bill being eleven years. Other amendments made in the clause by the Waste Lands Committee were agreed to. Progress was reported, and the House rose at 5 a.m.