GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 42, 15 October 1896, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ItOKOWtTENUA r.T.OCK. A rETITioN was presented to the Council from C. B. -Monson on behalf of one of the descendants of To Whatanui, in reference to the ilorowhenua Block. Tli<! petition was read, whereupon Mr McG-egor moved the adjournment; of the Council, in order to protest against the petition, which, he said, was not a genuine petition at all, but a successful i Hbrt of having the views of a certain section of those interested in Ilorowhenua laid before the Council. He characterised the procedure as being an abuse of the Standing Orders of the Council. NATIVE ISESKKVKS ACT AMENDMENT. The Native, Reserves Act Amendment 1 >iIL was amended in a miner degree in committee. The measure was then reported as amended, and read a third time and passed. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. A NEW 8T1.T.. Hon. Mr Mclvenzie gave notice to introduce the Reserve and Crown Lands Disposal Enabling Bill. HANKING AND OTHER BUSINESS. Mr Seddon said the Banking Bill woidd not be ready until Tuesday. He thought one debate for the report of the Banking Committee and the Bill would sullice, and he proposed to take it tomorrow. It would occupy nearly the whole of the sitting. He proposed to set apart Wednesday for the disposal of the remaining Bills on the Order Paper, and he should also bring down the Supplementary Estimates on that day. The Appropriation Bill would be brought down on Thursday, and the Southern members would be able to get away from Wellington on Friday. NATIVE J,AND LAWS. A very long discussion arose on a new clause proposed by the Premier, referring to the annulling of the title to the KopareUora block, Hawkc's Bay. The clause was carried by M!) to Hi. Captain Ru=sell then proposed an amendment, to the effect that this clause should apply to any block of native land held under the land transfer certificate. After lengthy debate Captain Russell withdrew his amendment, and Mr Soddon's new c'ause was added to the Bill by :?() to 27. OUCIIAItn AND GARDEN I'E&TS lilEl. The Orchard and Garden Pests Bill was committed and passed through with amendments made by the Joint Stosk Committee. A new clause providing fiv the compulsory dressing of fruit trees was strongly opposed and disius ed at great length. Eventually the clans; was retained by II to 1."). ITNDFSinAr.EE HAWKERS. The Undesirable Hawkers Bill was considered in committee. Mr Seddon said the Bill was simply to prevent undesirable hawkers from going about the country destroying legitimate trade, and he hoped the committee would pass it. In clause 0 the local license for hawkers was redncd from 10s to '2s Gd annually. The liill was reported, and put through its final stages. r.ir.i.s passed. The Orchard and Garden Pests Bill and the Canterbury College and Canterbury Agricultural College Hill were read a third time, and passe I.