GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7358, 10 July 1889, Page 5

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

C»MBe AaeOOXATIOH TElftSßAit,] ~ LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ■/

TnssDAY, July g." The Legislative CouncUmet^2,3o^ PETITIONS, treatment w> the profioa J g" n^ y sh FIRST RKAIU NO • traduced by MrTAuS^fetf-i* INSURANCE COMPANIES DI TT LAW OF LIBEL BILL. Mr Wilson considered the Bm would require considerable attention wnS? in Committee, saying that the measure Iα his opiniondid not provide sufficient redress for libelled persons. BlU "cienD Mr Shepuako supported tho mi au. saying that it was hi libel actions should be DrevtintP.l ft™ being enabled to set the 1 awhZofionTr merely revengeful purposes. Hβ believed the conductor* of newspapers w c "o at present placed ia aa exc4diu K ly cruel position on account of the manner in which they were held liable for publishing reports which were in no degree actuated Mr Fhabazyn supported the Bill, saying that the law as ie at present hCoott debarred many business men o£ means from entering journalism. - The Bill was then read a secona timei [MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS BILL. The adjourned debate ou the second reading of the Medical Practltiouers-Bill was resumed. -J • ~ Mr awANsoN would support the amendment that it be read this ttay six months. He had received several communications from medical men of Auckland opposing the measure. ™ tt Mr Wilson , spoke against the measure, saying it gave too much power to the proposed Medical Council. He thought the .Bill was uncalled for, and would vote for the amendment. Mr Walker thought it would bo well if the Bill was circulated more freely amongst the medical profession, and movei the adjournment ot the debate tot a fortnight. t Agreed to, and the Council rose at 120 till Wednesday. / house op representative^ Tuesday, July 9, The House met at 2.30 p.m. ,-.s' : ~~ [SECOND HEADINGS. The Auckland Gas Company's BUI and New Zealand Bank Act Amendment Bill, were read a second time. t ' ~/•■ CHRISTCHURCH GAS BILL. The Joint Bills Committee reported thafc the Christchurch Gas Bill was * private Bill, and not in accordance-ivltb the Standing Orders relating, to local Bills. * J ■ \ Mr Perceval moved that the report &9 referred back to the Committee, with the) request that the Committee give their? -, reasons for reporting the Bill aa fePipat^^"^ Alter considerable discusai^^ , ' **"» several members contende . ; T would form a bad precedent -..—. mltteewere asked to state for reporting on any Bill, M. amendment was lost by42C/ report ordered to lie on the tf i TPSJ^ , ' QUESTIOK£^«k*^ Mc Rhodes asked thjagtr whether he will, the liabilities o£p the Act recent>* Six H. - U» did , propose a*, t. , JSteßEEVES(Sfe.iAit>aaa) ' ter of. Justice whether, see y cently stated that there. < any unusual number of esc" rt N in the colony lately, h» wJ *U House what is a " nsual'ijeHtejLfl. capes from custody in course of twelve months'. • . Mr J?sbgus said that three prisoners escaped in 1831, two in 1&&, one in. imjm * two in 1884, nine in 1885, four In, 1880, three in 1887, and one in 1838-' It was a matter of l'act that when one prisoner escaped from the gaol, it created a sort of i epidemic amongst other away. - ~' Mr Rhodes asked the Premier whether the Government will introduce aa amend* ment of the Land Transfer Act, enacting that any registered holder of an estate under that system without indefeasible title. ~ Sir H. Atkinson said the matter waa under consideration, but he could hot hold out any hope that it would be dealt with this session. _'' Mr Thompson (Marnden) asked the Government whether they will daring the present session introduce - a measure dealing with the payment of rates due under the District Railways Purchasing Act* Sir H. Atkinson said the Government had been considering the matter, bat no decision had yet been arrived atv Mr Mackenzie (Clutha), asked the Premier whether, In view of the fact taao the Government see their way to reducing taxation, to wit, by exempting machinery from the property tax, he will conaia\9S the propriety of abolishing the sheep tax.: Sir H. Atkinson replied in the negativft Mr bMrra asked the Colonial Treasurer. it he will give the House an early opportunity this session of discussing the question of putting a special tax oiviP? property of absentees ? ' ■■':,■■■ Sir H. A.TKINSON said the whole qofiß> tion could be discussed when the Propettf Assessment Bill was under consideration. i Replying to Mr Feldwick, •'••_ Mr F£buds said it on enquiry he fount* there was any desire amongst Volunteer officers to add oae or two cadet olflcer&H) their corps, he should endeavor to provide for it* being done: ," .. M Mr Allen asked the Minister of Jaswca If it be true that there is at present doing Warder's dnty in Donedin gaol and at Otago Heads, one who was previously • prisoner in DanedingaoL . 1 Mr Fbuods said thia »— "•»;J**» employed by the Uc/oj:« ! •%**?£& not in the Prison Departo' at l X ** t %& r *\ bad bnwtapnine»i .for■fort*. \ eight hours for assaulting «• crista »™ fgri s £3 "o' ti» prevent hie receiving «'-a* KeplyingtoMrlauncr, absence) that tho report ox wie for Education wsaia be laid Q^Vpijto*. Mr Taifa sukeil tho ki.m Kiolss« whether th; fiovsrnuu v. *H1 ™* f &-~ consideratu :i"the ne««»icy that, e»|te M paying the Native Assessors ot the bW™ LandTCourt more adequate. aUdwance ■while on duty, and thereby obtaining the most suitable persons. YlzL Mr Fekgus eaid the Government wera coaeidering the advisability of a siighs la* crease in tne salary of those oificere. / '•- Mr Rebvjcs <Inangahua) asked taa Minister of Mines if he intendea to bang in a Bill to amend the Mining Company & Act. >vsv. Mr Richabdson replied In-^h^-fiialSOft , Mr Bto.LT asked the Native MioisterU the Government intend to earryoaC mo. complete the arrangements entered v*»* byMr Locke on behalf of the Governmffl» with the chiefs of the Urewera tribe a* opening up the country for prospecting* Mr Fkbgus said the Government wen? v* communication with the chiefs at present and they hoped to arrive at a satisfactory settlement of this matter. Mc FHLDTvnoK asked the Minister <* Marine if he will inform the House as w the present position of negotiations »b respect to the erection of a lighthouse oo the Saaree, or lighthouses, both on. toe Snares and the Auckland Islands. ' '. Sir H. Atkinson said the result of taw negotiations was that if the work was done at all it would have to bo undertaken by New Zealand alone, with perhaps a slight) contribution from Victoria, and he thought the colony was not in a position a 6 preseno t« undertake the work. Two of the Australian Government* had refuaedifcj-con-tribute anything towards it. -v- . JhfIIJTARY XAKD OBAKTS. ' Mr FfiEOtrs moved that a Select Com* 'BtlMea b# appointed to r *jKSit . ■ ■■ ~ . ■ ■ ■■'.■ !.■ -i V

OfiPn all petitions relating *» «**&"■*£ p-ants of land by naval and military settlers and volunteers; the Committee to consist of Sir G. Grey, Messrs Balance. Bruce, Laace, Monk, Bussell, and the mover. Agree* to. ETSTBAJTCE COMPANIES BILL. The Fire and Marine Insurance Companies Bill was received from the Legislative Council and read a first time. REPRKEXTATION BILL. On the Representation Bill being reached at 5 p»m., , . . • Sir Joen ELaxl asked that the debate be adjourned till 7.30, in order that a fuller House iuif;bt be present on such an important question. ... Agreed to, and the House adjourned till