LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9140, 12 June 1891, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. TH E QOVJSUNOB'S ADDEESS. Hn?' Bff XCf 6h y* u B G°ve ™°'was announced, and after the members of the House of Representatives had been sent for, his Excellency read the Address already given, and then retired. On the Council resuming at 3 o'clock MESSAGES. ' His Excellency the Governor announced by Message that ho h..d granted leave of absence for the session to the Hons. Waha Woha and Oliver. His Excellency also intimated that the seats of the following members had become vacant by death !-Filzherbert, Reeves, «nd Peter. The seat of Mr Wigley had become vacant owing to absence without leave for two sessions. NOTICE. The Attorney-general gave notioe that next day ho would introduce the Legislative Council Reform Bill. The Council at 3 5 adjourned till next day. The Council will adjourn immediately on assembling to-morrow out of respect to the memory of the recently deceased members. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY, JUNE 11. The House met at 2 25 p.m. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. A Message was received from the Legislative Council requiring the attendance of members to hear the Governor's Speech. On the House resuming at 2.45, " NEW MEMBEE. Me M'Quire, member for Egmont, took the oath and hi 3 seat. NOTICES. _ A large number of notices of motion were given by various members, also notices of a number of bills to be introduced Mr M'GUIRE gave notice that he would next day move the Address-in- Reply to the Governor's speech. Ministers gave notice of the appointment of the usual sessional committees for next sitting day. B Mr FISHER gave notice to move that a committee bo appointed to inquire into the circumstances connected with the appointment to the Legislative Council of the Hons. Sir H Atkinson, Messrs Bowen, Ormond, Whyte, Fulton Downie Stewart, and Johnston. THE TE ABOHA SEAT Tjje SPEAKER read the report of the judges on the disqualification of Mr W S Al en as member for Te Aroha. The Hon. J. B ALL ANCIS gave notice to move that the report and certi6cate bo entered in the journals of the House. The Hon. J. BRTCE thought this would inflict a stigma on Mr Allen whioh was not deserved, especially as Mr Allen was absent from the colony at the time the election was proceeding He hoped the Premier's motion would be held over till the petition referring to Mr Allen's disqualiacation had been received The Hon. B. J. SEDDON said the House would make a mistake if it interfered with the decision of the judges in a matter of this kind Mr FISHER agreed with the view taken by Mr Bryce, and thought Mr Allen should not suffer such a stigma for an offence which he had not personally committed. After some further discussion, The Hon. J. BALLANCE said id was in order that the House should not be taken by surprise that he gave notice to move next day in the matter, but the Speaker had ruled that the act provided that the papers should be entered in the journals of the House. He held, however, that no stigma whatever could attach to Mr Allen by the course he proposed, as the judges themselves had taken all possible steps to reinstate Mr Allen's character. The motion was then put—" That the judges' report and certificate be eniered in the journals of the House."—Agreed to. The Hon. J. BALLANCE then moved that the Speaker issue a writ for the election of a member for Te Aroha.—Agreed to. THE ADDBESS-IN-BEPLT. The Hon. J. BRYCE suggested that if the Government decided to go on with the Address-in-Reply next day, they should allow the mover and seconder to make their speeches and then adjourn the debate till Tuesday He suggested this because a large number of the members of the Opposition were absent from the House, ana the matter contained in the Speech was very important. The Hon. J. BALLANCE said the Government were not aware the Opposition intended debating the Addieso. The Government were anxious to get on with the business, but they would not object to have the fullest discussion on the Address, and they would not in any way endeavour to curtail the debate, but would give the House every opportunity of continuing it The House adjourned at 4 p.m. till 230 nm next day. *