GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 125, 30 June 1870, Page 6

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(From the " Daily Times '* Telegrins.) Wellington, June 23rd. Colonel Haultain's motions were all carried without debate. In reply to a question, the Govern* ment stated that they did not intend to introduce a general measure regard^ ing primary education, but would ask for the appointment of a Committee to. consider the subject of a Colonial University. A week's leave of absence has been granted to Mr. Driver, and a fortnight's to Mr. Jollie. Mr. Richmond has brought in a bill for the protection of the property of married women. He proposed to place married women in the same position with regard to the control of their property as if they were unmarried. He supported the measure in a long and excellent speech, which was highly applauded by both sides, Mr. M'Grillivray has given notice 1 that on Wednesday next he will move* the following motion : — " That in the opinion of this House, the Imperial Government has failed in its duty to the Colony. The Government have settled the claim of the Wanganui natives for pay* They claimed £15,000, but accepted £12,000. The greater portion of the money was paid to Kemp and Topia, the balance being retained to meet orders on the Treasury given by them to tradesmen. The Government have given instructions for the prosecution of the halfcaste Hamilton, for perjury in his evidence against Tricker, six years ago. Mr. Reynold's resolutions are generally considered crude, ill-timed, and not likely to command support. The Northern members, however, will take advantage of the opportunity to raise the question of the localisation of the Land Fund, and to call for a revision of the compact of 1856. The feeling on this point is very strong among the. Auckland members, who covet the Middle Island Land Fund. The Government, it is expected, will move the previous question, on the ground that proposals involving important constitutional changes should not emanate from private members. June 24th. The Otago Educational Eeserves Abandonment Bill has passed through the House. Mr. J. C. Brown to-day moved for leave to introduce a Bill to repeal the Otago Hundreds Regulation Act. Mr. Macandrew, who had just given notice for next week that he would introduce a Bill to amend the same Act, objected to Mr. Brown's motion being taken before his. Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Yogel also opposed the motion. The latter suggested that the previous question should be moved, in order to shelve the motion. Mr Stafford suggested the adjournment of Mr Brown's motion, until Mr Macandrew's had been disposed of. He said that he had taken no part in this discussion lastsession, being unacqainted with the merits of the case, but subsequent enquiries had perfectly convinced him that thh Act contained many unfortunate provisions, and was calculated to operate prejudicially to the interests of the province. If the Act were to come before the House again, he would oppose it The uncertainty of the land laws of the province caused great anxiety, and lowered the value of property of all kinds. What was wanted ■was a complete revision of the existing system, so as to withdraw from the runholders the exclusive occupation of the land, to release them from their ruinous rent, and to throw the whole country open for selection to those who wished to buy land at a fair price. The Hundreds Act locked up a quantity of the land, and was very obnoxious to a large section of the population of the province. Mr Haughtonsaid that he agreed with every word spoken by Mr Stafford, and moved the adjournment of the debate for a week, which was agreed to. The House shortly afterwards adjourned till Tuesday night, when the Financial Statement will be made. The Government do not intend to send delegates to the Intercolonial Conference. The reason assigned by them is that one of the representatives would require to be a Minister, and that one cannot be spared.

The Royal Oat Claim (Coromandel, — A small parcel of picked stone, weighing 150 lbs., was crushed yesterday in the iron amalgamating barrel of the Tramway battery, and the result obtained when the amalgam was retorted last night, was 39 ozi* of retorted gold.