WELLINGTON, December 9.

Evening Star, Issue 5230, 9 December 1879, Page 3

WELLINGTON, December 9.

Agricultural implements in actual use are exempt from the property tax; personal property was included by a big majority. A proposal to exempt steam engines was under consideration when the House reported prr - gress after three this morning, Major Atkinson not caring to jeopardise his Bill further in the House. The' Maori Trials Bill passed all its stages after a long sitting, and after proposals contained in it to pay members of the Assembly, if commissioners under it, had been struck out. The Legislative Council considered the Land Bill, in committee to-day, a select committee having reported the Bill with amendments. The Native Affairs Committee to-day consider and report in the inquiry rc Sutton cni Worgan, which is being made entirely a party question. The .Native Minister denies all knowledge of Rewi’s secession ; but Major To Wheoro and Mr Sheehan regard the matter as serious. The absence of the Native chief from Wellingtau is moat marked, Mr Macandrew asked the Premier to take the House into ilia confidence and plainly state what measures Government proposed to go on with, so that the session may be closed. Mr flail promised to reply to-day. Mr Hislop brings a motion on, oiguog into Committee of Supply, practically to allow Sir Julius Vogel to retain the AgentGeneralship and sit in the House of Commons.

p.m.

The Government have just announced their intention to close the session on Tuesday next. They will abandon the regulation of Elections, Elections Petitions, Corrupt Practices, Hospital, Gaming and Lotteries, Canterbury Rivers, Railway Construction, Representation, Alienation of Maori Land Bills, and will stand to the Property Tax, Customs’ Tariff, Land Tax Collection, Building Society, Electoral Act Repeal, Judgment against Real Estate, if possible. Special powers will be asked for the Counties Act, Public Reserves, Southland Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools, Otago ditto, Chinese Immigrants, and Native Lawsuits.