THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7647, 26 May 1886, Page 5

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[by teleorath.— press association,] LEGISLATIVE COUNCiu Tuesday. The Counoil met *t half-past two p.m. THE BABBIT PEST. Mr. Buckley gave notioe to move for a select committee, joint and separate, to inquire into the rabbit pest, and to devise the best means to suppress it. HERRING SPAWW. Dr. Menzibs gave notioe for Friday to ask for information as to the importation of herring spawn. TUB OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY. Mr. Hart asked Mr. Buckley upon what, if any, evidenoe the Government, before commencing the Otago Central Railway, was satisfied that it would, when oompleted, return interest upon the outlay or even working expenses, and the extent or area of available land, to which when completed it will give access ? It seemed to him (Mr. Hart) that any further works not likely to prove profitable should be abandoned, or, at any rate, it should be shown by the Government that it would be likely to prove profitable to the country at some not far distant time. Mr. Buoklky replied that the Otago Central Railway, so far as he could ascertain, had been initiated in the House of Representatives. There were one million two hundred thousand acres of pastoral land, and half a million of agricultural land through which the line ran. Perhaps it would be news to the hon. member to learn that a private company desired to construct the proposed line. Mr. Hart asked Mr. Buckley what, by the recent census, are found to be number of the inhabitants of Springfield and Brunnerton respectively, and what are the nature aud character of the country through whioh the propoeed railway between those places will pase, and what, if any, evidence exists, that the railway when completed will pay interest upon its cost or even working expenses ? Mr. Bock ley, in reply, said that about a third of the population of the colony would be likely to benefit by the proposed line. The country was described as of very good character. He would be happy to give further information to Council ae soon as it came into the hands of the Government. LOST DJSBKN TUBES BILL. Mr. Buckley moved the second reading of the Lost Debentures Bill. Agreed to. POLICE FOBCE BILL. Mr. Scotland, on motion prior to the Council going into committee on the Police Force Bill, trusted that even at the eleventh hour the Colonial Secretary would see that the Bill was to all intents a money Bill, and withdraw it. Dr. Pollen also hoped the Bill would be withdrawn, his objeotion being on the same lines objected to by Mr. Scotland. Hβ desired to maintain the privileges of the Council as staunchly as any hon. member, but where there was a defined limit, be it ever so fine, he for one would be in favour of all money Bills being initiated in the other Chamber. He moved that the order on the notice paper referring to the committal of the Bill be discharged. Mr. Holmes also objeoted to the Bill, as he believed it opened up the question of local government. Mr. Buckley did not think that the standing orders prevented the Government from introducing the Bill into the Counoil. The Hpeakeh expressed his' opinion that neither the Bill in question nor the Defence Bill were either of them money Bills, and therefore in introducing them into the Counoil ho did not think that the Counoil was trenching upon the prerogative of the House of Representatives.

Dr. Grace remarked that he would not vote against the Bill on the grounds adranoed by Dr. Pollen. . The question, that the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the queston, was put. Ayes, 25 ; noes, 4. The Council went into committee on the Bill. Sixteen clauses were agreed to with gome verbal alterations, when progross waa reported, leave being given to sit to-morrow. The order relating to the committal of the Defence Bill was discharged from the order paper, being eet down for next day. The Council adjourned to next day.