THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 2942, 24 July 1872, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.]

July 24. In the House yesterday the Government promised to bring down an amended Goldfields Act, an amended Lunatics Act, and to reconstruct the Industrial Committee. The Public Health Bill passed its second reading; but the second reading of the Permanent Officers’ Salaries Bill, and [the Public Trusts Office Bill, were adjourned. In reply to a question, Mr Vogel said the Wellington Board of Health intended to quarantine the Nebraska. Mr Vogel moved the second reading of the Life Assurance Bill, the object of which is to compel all assurance companies doing business in the Colony to deposit security f ,r their ability to settle tbeir policies to the amount of twenty thousand pounds. Messrs Gillies, Pearce, and Brandon advocated the companies interested being allowed an opportunity of being heard. The second reading was adjournrd until to-morrow. The Sharebrokers and Drawbacks Bills were read a second time, and the Canterbury Waste Lands Bill and Dunedin Cemetery Bill a first time. The House agreed to returns of Hie appointment of Immigration Agents, contracts entered into for the construction of railways, with particulars of each ; supplementary return of the officers appointed by tbe General, Provincial, and County Governments; the amount of money borrowed, the actual •water races in use, the miles of railway opened, and the amount of the balance of o£ Mr Shepherd moved the appointment of a select committee of inquiry into the administration of the Otago Waste Lauds Act by the Otago Waste Lai ds Board, in selling 20 000 acres of land to Messrs Cargill and Anderson ; committee to report whether such sale is legal; and whether injurious to the present and future development of the mining and agricultural interests of the district and Colony. In his speech in support of the motion, he said the land was Jit for agricultural settlement. Mr Mcrvyn said the sale was not injurious to the public interests, and Mr Ueid, following on the same side, read Mr M'Kcllar’s report, showing that the land was only suitable for pastoral purposes. Mr Shepherd, in reply, said it was probable Mr Beid desired to injure the Teviot, because he was defeated there. He also said the reports read as to the character of the land were unreliable, am I that such power as was by the Waste Lands was dangerous. The motion was agreed to. Leave of absence has been granted io Mr Hallenstein for fourteen days. 4 p.m. Last evcn'ng the Premier, in reply to Mr Murray, said the Government had not do cidcd to take any active stej s in regard to the advancement of money lor Dm encouragement of fnntive industries; but attention had been given to the development of Gishcries and coal fields, and a committee Mould he appointed to take the whole subject into consideration and make recommendations to Government. The second reading of the Permanent Salaries Bill has been postponed for a fortnight. The Bill provides for the annual appropriation of the salaries of officers appointed permanently, but will not operate in the cases of the present holders. A debate ensued upon the Bill to provide a public trustee. Mr Vogel exi -Lined the Bill was to overcome the d llieulty and inconvenience which the owners of property in Colon’ es experienced in finding a suitable tr stee. Mr Gillies approved of the principle of the Bill, but thought one trustee not sufficient for both Islands Mr Stafford suppored the Hill, ami the debate was adjourned to Thursday. Mr Vogel made a long, speech on tfie second reading of the A Companies Bill which he said extends certain privileges of the Government scheme to private companies. In his speech he severely criticised the Australian Mutual Provident bo-

clety, and accused it of having paid Greville’s Agency for circulating among newspapers a high-colored report of its general meeting. Several speakers objected to the measure" and the Treasurer's remarks upon assurance companies, and after some skirmishing the debate was adjourned. The Sharebrokers Bill, making the fees Provincial revenue, passed its second reading. To-day Mr Gillies moved his Bill to abolish imprisonment for debt, which was read a first time. Mr Gillies is now moving his resolution defining the powers and duties of Provincial and General Governments. He attacks the Government for appointing the Besideut Minister in the Middle Island Under Secretary for Goldfields, and other officers, without the consent of the House,