THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 237, 15 August 1872, Page 5

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.]

August 6. Mr Curtis today gave a notice of motion in favor of Superintendents of Provinces being appointed agents for carrying out the Public Works scheme.

The Petitions Gommittee has recommended an expenditure of L 5,500 on the roofs of the Parliament Houses.

August 7. Last night the debate on Mr Creighton's Permissive Bill was resumed ; and its progress in committee was resisted at every successive stage. The first and second and first prohibitory clauses were postponed on divisions. Ihe first of the prohibitory clauses was negatived by 38 to 34. Mr Creighton moved the re-committal of the Bill to-day ; and Mr Yogel moved that it be recommitted that day six months — which was negatived. The voting on the prohibitory clause was as follows :

Ayes : Messrs J. E. Brown, J. C. Brown, Bathgate, Bryce, Calder, Creighton, Clark, Fox, Gillies, Hunter, Luckie, M'Gillivray, M'Lean, M'Leod, Murray, O'Connor, Peacock, E. Richardson, Steward, Tribe, Tairoa, Thomson, White, Williamson. Noes : Andrew, Brandon, Bunny, Bell, Bluett, Buckland, Bradshaw, Carringtqn, Collins, Fitzharbert, Gisborne, Harrison, Jackson, Johnston, Katene, Kelly, Kenn} 7 , Macandrew, Ormond, G. B. Parker, Pearce, Parata, Reeves, Reynolds, Rhodes, Rolleston, R. Richar dson, Swanston, Studholme, Seymour, Stafford, Sheehan, J. Shephard, Yogel, Wood, Webster, Wakefield, and Sir David Monro.

The debate on Mr Gillies's resolution re the definition of the fuuetions of Provinces was ' resumed. Mr Shcchan said the Ministry which went into office on the shoulders of the Provincial party was now crippling the Provinces ; and that the general opinion of the public was that the public works and immigration policy could not be administered from one centre. Mr Reader Wood said the various motions on the subject showed that the House considered a change necessary. He condemned the principle of Mr Ormond holding a seat in the Ministry while he retained his Superintendency, and referred to Dr Featherston'd resignation under similar circumstances in obedience to an expression of opinion by the House. He further said Superintendents being in a Ministry gave an unfair advantage to the Provinces they represented. Mr Gillies replied at considerable length. He said the Government were abrogating their functions by not bringing down a policy regarding Provincial institutions, and adduced figures showing that the General Government was denuding the Provinces of their revenue. If the Ministry did not indicate what was to be their policy in regard to the Provinces, the House would force a policy upon the Government. As the- Government had stated that they had no intention of bringing down a policy, and as other motions on the same subject were already on the Order Paper, he would withdraw his. The North Dunedin Cemetery Bill was read a first time to-day. Mr Bathgate gave notice of his Interest Bill ; also of a proposed amendment of the clause in the Licensing Bill affecting grocers' and bush licenses.

The petitions of miners at Mount Ida and residents at Papanui were referred to the Public Works Committee.

August 8. In the House last night, the Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister Bill was further considered in Committee. Messrs Thomson and Stafford opposed the Bill, and Mr Dillon Bell supported it. The Otago Dock Trast Debt Bill was read a second time, and the Licensing Bill adjiourned. The Highway Boards Act Amendment Act also passed its second reading. The debate on Mr Collins's motion, for a reduction of gold duty, was resumed. Mr Steward, supported the motion. A division was demanded by the Premier, which reBulted — ayes, thirty-seven ; noes, seven. Mr Yogel then said the Government would bring down a Bill to give effect to the resolution of the House. The Independents article to-day says the result of the division yesterday on the motion re the boundaries of Provinces, shows that the Government will have great difficulty in holding their seats.

August 9.

In the House latt night Mr Harrison, after discussion, withdrew his motion, that the salaries of all judicial officers, except the Judges of the Supreme Court, be voted by the General Assembly. The Southland Waste Lands Amendment Bill was read a second time.

The debate on insular separation was resumed. Messrs Stewart and M'Gillivray supported the motion. Mr Stafford asked the Government to express an opinion on it. Mr Fox said the Government declined to express an opinion, and would await the result of the other resolutions. Mr Stafford said the admission was humiliating. The Government was simply swayed by the opinions of the Houae, and had no principles of their own. He characterised them as a miserable set of wretches on the Government Benches, and being called to order substituted "in another place." Mr Gisborne said Mr Stafford had assumed the position of a scold. Messrs Reid, Wood, and Gillies supported the motion ; and Messrs Luckie and Shepherd opposed it. The debate was adjourned. Mr Stafford then withdrew his previous expressions.

The Highway Boards Empowering Amendment Bill was committed and reported.

August 10. In the House last night, the Auckland Water Works Bill was adjourned. The House went into committee on the Highway Boards Empowering Act Amendment Act. Mr Gillies proposed an amendment on clause 6, by altering 5 per cent, to 12£ per cent.; and 2s 6d in the £ to Is, and 3d in the £ instead of Id. The amendment was agreed to. Mr Stafford proposed an amendment giving owners of land power to surrender the fee-simple of land to the Queen ia lieu of paying rates. After a debate progress was reported. Wi Parata moved the appointment of a Commission of Maoris and Europeans, for the purpose of investigating claims to confiscated lands. , The matter was referred to the Native Committee.

The debate was resumed on Mr Steward's motion for abolishing grand jurors and substituting public prosecutors, and adjourned. -The Opposition held a caucus meeting today, at which the following Otago members were present :— Messrs Reid, Thomson, Calder, Brown, Bradshaw, Sir D. Monro, and Murray. The Wellington members were not invited, and nothing lias yet leaked out as to what was done.

Railway Construction. — Mr Brogden's agent in Invercargill has received instructions to proceed with the construction of the Mataura railway without delay.; and Edendale has been selected as tho point at which, opentioDf will commence, I