GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1091, 22 July 1873, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. July 18. In the Upper House Mr Hart moved the address in reply. Mr fVaterhouse, in speaking to the motion, congratulated the House that the colony now had a Governor experienced in official life. He proceeded to criticise the speech. The departmental administration had been loose. There had been a number of blank forms with Sir George Bo wen's signature kept in drawers in the Colonial Secretary's office. He had ordered the Under-Sec-retary to lock them up and keep them safe. He hoped there would be no repetition of such a practice under the present Governor. He (Mr Waterhouse) called such a practice a fraud. A tighter system of administration was necessary. Most important requirements or the Civil Service Act were neglected. The only department classified was the Custom House. The Laud Fund Act had been a dead letter. The Attorney - General's salary was legally fixed at £IOOO, yet he received £I2OO. The money for raads in the North Island was not properly applied. The allowance for travelling expanses were exceeded. Ministers and Judges were allowed two guineas a day travelling expenses, but drew four guineas. The Auditor-General was blameable in passing such accounts. The prosperity of the colony was not entirely clue to the Public Works policy. It was largely due to the prosperity of the pastoral interests ; the increased price of wool, which had brought three millions into the country. He was a supporter of the Public Works policy. He criticised other parts of the speech. The address in reply was agreed to. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr Webb moved the address in reply. He referred to the prosperity of the colony as due to the Public Works and Immigration policy. The country should feel grateful to the Government that they had avoided another Native war. The people of the Middle Island would approve of the action of the Government, and he trusted that the same good feeling would exist between the present Governor and Ministry, as in the case of Governor Bowen. Mr Cuthbertson seconded the address.