GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7569, 21 May 1886, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, May 20. The House met at 2.30 p.m. BEFLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Fergus, The Hon. E. RICHARDSON said the accident at Dowling street was reported to Government iv the ordinary way. The relief works were carried out under the direction solely of the Corporation, and the Government had nothing to do with them. Replying to Mr Fergus, The Hon. E. RICHARDSON said a vote of £150 was passed last session for the Martin's Bay track, but it was fouud to be useless for the purpose required. The matter v.-as now under the consideration of the Government. Replying to Mr Turnbull, • Sir JULIUS VOGBL said he was advised by the officers of the Properly Tax department that it would be impossible to give accurate information at present to show what amount of mortgage was on rural and town lands separately. Replying to Mr Seddou,

The Hon. W. J. M. LARNACH said a bill had been introduced by the Colonial Treasurer with the object of reducing or abolishing the export duty on gold. Replying to Mr Dargaville,

Sir JULIUS VOGBL said the Government were aware of the dissatisfaction that exists with regard to the management of the Government Insurance Association, aud he considered it was natural. The question wis now before the policyholders as to a change in the present constitution of the Association. He was not prepared at present to state what decision the Government , had arrived at ou the subject, but the question would have to be dealt with this session. NEW BILLS. The following Bills were introduced: — Boundaries of and Waugauui Education Districts Bill (Mr Wilson); Land Association Bill (Mr Ivess); Eight' Hours Bill (Mr Bradshaw) ; Employment of Females and Others Act ISBI Amendment Bill (Mr Bradshaw) ; Native Equitable Owners Bill (Hon. J. Ballance) ; Bill to Authorise the Purchase or Other Acquisition of Private Lands for Purposes of Settlement (Sir G. Grey). HETUKNS. Mr MONTGOMERY moved that returns be laid before the House showing the number of allotments and total acreage of laud in each land district surveyed and now ready for occupation on the homestead system. The Hon. J. BALLANCE said he had no objection to give the return asked for. He desired to give the homestead system a fair trial throughout the Colony. A lengthy discussion ensued on the whole question of settlement of the land and the homestead system generally, in which a large number of members took part, most of whom advocated that the homestead system should be allowed a trial.

The motion was eventually put and agreed to. Mr HOBBS moved for a return of all mone3 rs expended up to the present date by the Colony of New Zealand in connection with Samoa.— Agreed to.

Mr W. J. HURST moved that there be laid before the House a return showing separately the amount expended during the last financial year upon repairs and maintenance, upon additions, and upon furniture for each Wellington Ministerial residence.

The Hon. B. RICHARDSON suggested that the return should be a continuation of the return asked for last year.

Mr HURST said he wished the return to be an annual one.

The Hon. R. STOUT moved that the words "in continuation of last year's return" be added to the motion. He was not opposed to the motion if these words were added.

Tho motion as amended was put and agreed to.

Mr W. J. HURST moved that there be laid before the House a return showing the travelling allowance drawn by each Minister and attendants during the last financial year. Agreed to.

THK BABBIT PEST.

The Hon. W. J. M. LARNACH moved that a committee be appointed to inquire into the best means of dealing with the rabbit pest with power to confer orsifc together with any similar committee which may be appointed by the Legislative Council, and to agree to a joint or

separate report; the committee to consist of Messrs Buchanan,_ Cowan, Dodson, Fulton, Kerr, Lance, J. M'Kenzie, Capt. Russell, M'Millau, and the mover.—Agreed to. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. MUNICIPAL CORPOIJATIONS KILL.

The Hon. R. STOUT moved the second reading of the Municipal Corporations Bill. It was amended to represent the Bill passed by the Legislative Council last session with a few amendments. Among the alterations were tte incorporation of the Public Health Act with the Bill, a clause encouraging town districts to become boroughs, a provision for mayors to be ex officio J.P.s, and new provisions regarding the disqualification of contractors and others. Mr DOWNIE STEWART hoped the Bill would not be committed for ten days, as there were some provisions which he pointed out required careful consideration. Mr SUTTER made some remarks to the same effect.

The Hon. Mr STOUT said the bill had been be.ore the House for two years and copies had been sent to all the municipalities in the Colony.

The bill was committed for Tuesday next.

LOST DEBENTURES HILL. This bill passed through committee, was read a third time and passed.

THE MIDLAND .'RAILWAY. Mr G. F. RICHARDSON moved for plans showing the blocks of land proposed to be given to the Midland Railway Company. After debate, the motion was lost THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Major ATKINSON asked if the Government could name a day when the financial statement would be delivered. Sir JULIUS VOGEL said he could not definitely fix a date, but it would be early. THE NEW HEBRIDES. Hon. Mr. STOUT read cablegrams regarding the New Hebrides, having previously announced that his motion for a committee to confer on this question would be postponed until tomorrow. The House rose at 10.30 p.m.