TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3905, 22 August 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Friday, 21st August.

In the General Assembly, on' the House meeting, Mr Fitzherbert gave notice that he would, when the House was moved into Committee of Supply, move a resolution to the effect that no attempt should be made^to" carry out any organic change involving central and bureaucratic authority, without the opinion of the people being, taken, and that an address should be presented to His Excellency the Governor praying him to dissolve the present Parliament.

The announcement was received with loud applause. .-.•■.-.. .■

Mr O Rorke made an explanation that his absence from the division last evening was because he had not anticipated that the debate would close so early. Had he been in the House, he would have voted. for the amendment of the honourable member, for Selwyn. .

Messrs White and Harrison also explained that when they arrived at the House, they found t) c doors locked, and had intended to vote for the previous question. Mr Wales also explained that he had not anticipated that; the debate would close so soon. He had intended to vote for the resolutions of the Premier. . r

The Pacific Islands Trade Encouragement Bill was discharged from the Order Paper. The Premier said that the Government1 deemed it inadvisable to proceed with the measure at this late period of the session. The Premier stated ..also that, for a like reason, the Government did not intend proceeding with the' Qualification of Electors Bill. It was evident that tlie details of the Bill would occupy a great deal of time in discussion. ; ' : ~ '■■■-■'•'.■'-■:":•-,

Mr Wales opposed the Premier's proposal to withdraw the measure, and 'aopedthe G6-i vernment would reconsider its decision, and' proceed with the Bill, which would, place upon the electoral roll a large class of young men of judgment and education who did not happen to hold prviperty qualification. Aeiongsfc this class were miners, and He regretted to say that the principal.opponents of, the Bill were goklfield members. He .wished the Bill made one of the questions to be submitted to the country if there' was a diss 1 ction. . ,

Mr Tribe was also desirous the Bili should, be proceed* d with this session, but as it appeared to be inconvenient to go~ on with it now, he" hoped it would beibrougnt on early next session.

The Premier stated that the Government approved of the Bill, and had ey;ery desireHo support it, but owing to the; period of the session and the business still before them, they did not see their way togo on wittTthe Bill. ■■..•.:.■.■.-. .:-■ .

It was then discharged. , . " Mr M'Lean moved the second reading of the Volunteer Act Amendment ; BUI; It enables Volunteer corps to acquire'land for various purposes, and vesting the same in Commanders of Corps arid their; successors, and also provides" that licenses may be granted to Volunteer Corps for the purposes of rifle or artillery practice. The Act also applies to land before purchased. .--..'.'■ •,! The Bill was read a second time.

The House went into Committee upon the Immigration and Public Works Bill. : ,

As an amendment a new clause was introduced, providing for the repair or reconstruction of the road between Hofeitika and (Jhristchurch out of the Middle Island railway fund account for Canterbury arid Westland respectively. • ■ -.; -: '.-:. .-."'....' This was opposed by Mr Rolleston and Mr Wil-on, but agreed to. '

The Ofcago Waste Lands Bill and the Harbour. Works Bill were passed. A draft Bill was brought down, recom mending a retiring allowance to Wilson Gray, late District Judge of Otago. The Premier spoke in high terms of his services to the country, and said he would be prepared to increase the allowance if the House so desired, as his {Mr Gray's) health was utteily shattered, and he had again and again refused a higher position than that he occupied.

Mr Macandrew warmly supported the recommendation, and said Mr Wilson Gray had sacrificed his health in the service of the country night and day. He would gladly support the proposal to make the amount larger.

Messrs Fox, O'Neill, and M'Glashan each spoke in a like manner.

The Premier said that the Government proposed to give him a year's leave of absence on full salary. :

MrO'lWketook that opportunity of expressing a hope that the House would recon.«idpr its decision regarding Sir James Martin's allowance, which was too small for the first Chief Jintice of the Colony. _ Mr M'Lean said it would be a deep reflection upon the Colony if it did not regard the services of its first Chief Justice in no better way than it would do for a chief clerk. The House then adjourned for dinner.

INTEEPROVINCIAL NEWS,

Wellington, August 21st. In the Hous^ of Representatives, Monday afternoon will be given to private business. The evening sittings of the rest of the week, with the exception of Wednesday, will be devoted to Government business. The prorogation is expected next week.

The Committee of Enquiry have decided that Mr Yon der Heyde's election is void. A new writ has been issued, and Mi- Yon der Heyde went North this afternoon.

Auckland, August 21st. Fat cattle, £1 Us 6d to £2 per 100 lbs ; sheep, sil to s£d per lb; steers, £5 to £7; choice dairy cows, £10 to £12. The market is dull. Oats, os 3d to 5s 6<l; maize, 5s 6d ; bran, £7 10s ; poUard, £S ; wheat, Cs 3d to Cs 4d ; barlty, 5s 9d ; flour, il3 to £13 10s ; potatoes, £7 to £8 ; cheese, Sd ; butter, Is 2d to Is 3d ; hams ai;d bacon, lOd.

Geauamstowx, August 21st. The Star's correspond nt at Whukatapai stages that tit a korero duriDg the last few

days, nearly all tfte principal chiefs spoke. They wanted Government advances placecl on Cape Colville and other blocks of land, and denied having received money forOhinemun and Te Aroha land. Mackay mentioned the names of several leading chiefs who had received advances, which Te Ora denied. Mackay showed that he had received money and goods through his relatives, and told the old chief lie could keep his own pieces of land at Ohinemnri and Te Aroha. bat could no longer hold the tribal lands. -

Greymouth, August 21st. An enthusiastic public meeting was held last night in favour of the Abolitien of the Provinces. Resolutions were' unanimously passed praying, the Premier to extend the proposed reform to the Middle Island.

_ -■ TiiLUttr, August 2IsL.. me limes, in am article supporting the proposed abolition of the yinces, advocates the estabnshmenfc of '■■■» Board of Works similar to tliafcof Tiniara. and Gladstone, but with extended powers