GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1130, 4 August 1883, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the Legislative Council la«.t Wednesday, The Timnru Racecourse Reserve Bill was passed through Committee with amendments. Mr Chamberlin moved that, in the opinion of the (Jouncil, having regard to the future welfare of th** colony, it is desirable that the Government should take immediate steps to largely increase the area of forest lands, and set apart permanent reserves. He argued that the present rapid denudation of the forests was lessening the rainfall very materially, and that if the forests were not] carefully conserved we should he obliged in the near future to import timebr, The Hon Mr Whitaker said the Government were fully aware of the im • portance of the subject, and the 4 Minister of Lands had made and would continue to make reserves '**" for forest conservation, and effcrfs would be made to prevent the destruction of the forests by fire. Beyond that he did not lee what the Government could do.

Mr Holme* thought there should be " a heavy royalty on sawn timber.

A desultory discussion was taken part in by Mr Scotland, Mr G, It, Johnoton, Mr Williamson, Mr Nurse, Mr Henderson, and Mr Richmond, and the debate w« adjourned. The Council rose at 4.30 p.m. In the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Mr Pargaville gave notice of hit intention to move on Wednesday next * that a Select Committee be appointed to enquire into the circumstances connected with an alleged payment by the Bank of New Zealand ot a sum of L 10,000 or thereabouts, to Messrs Whitaker and Russell, or either of them, in connection with the financial op3rations of the Government in or about the year 1867, such Committer to consist of Major Atkinson, Mr Montgomery, Mr Wynn Williams, Mr Barron, Mr Fulton, Mr Macondrevr, Mr Turnbull, and the mover, and to report within two weeks.

The following report was read :—Th« Select Committee appointed to consider

the best means to stop the draught and improve the ventilation of the Chamber, has devoted considerable attention to the matter. It has also taken the evidence of Mr Thomas Turnbull, architect, and Dr Gillon, as experts, by whom it is estimated a perfect system of heating and vantilation could be obtained at a cost not exceeding LSOO. As, however, no efficient remedy can be applied much before the session is likely to terminate, the Committee is ot opinion that during the recess the special attention of the Government should be directed towards effecting such improvements as will obviate the evil, provided the cost does not exceed to sura mentioned.

A long discussion took plact on the matter, members stating that the present state of the Chamber was worse that it was before the alterations made last recess [had been carried out. The report was adopted. Replying to Captain McKenzie, the Hon Mr Dick said if any means for the extermination of the rabbit nuisance by the introduction of a disease amongst the rabbits, or in any other way could be suggested, the Government ronld willingly listen to the proposal, as they quite recognised the enormity of the evil. They would give a substantial reward for an effectual remedy. Mr M. W. Green moved that a return be obtained from Education Boards and High School Boards of those parents in favor of having the Bible read in schools.

After several members had spoken on the subjee», the mover wished to withdraw the motion, but was not allowed. Mr Swanson characterised th<? present system ns perfection, and in this he was upheld by Mr Whitaker and otheis. The motion was negatived on the voices,

ihe Eoads Through Private Lands Bill, and the Drainage through Private Lands Bill, were read a second timr, though opposed by the Hon Mr Rollcston.

Mr Shaw moved the second reading of the Gaming and Lotteries Araendment Bill. Despite the provision made to the contrary by the Act already in force, it was a well-known fact that sweeps were still common events in this colony. What was proposed was to prevent newspapers and printers from advertising sweeps, The queetion of discouraging that system had been already discussed in the House and decided in the affirmative. Ihe other part of the Bill aimed at enabling persons attending race meetings to indulge in the more innocent pastime of a half-crown sweep, or one up to 20s. In prohibiting the mode of amusement, the Legislature had licensed the totalisator, which in its operation was a much more pernicious system of gambling.

The majority of the members were of opinion that it would be unwise to legalise gambling, and in reference to the publication of sweeps in New Zealand papers, it was thought that the effect would simply be to drive the advertisements to the Australian papers. The second reading was lost by 32 to 25.

Mr T<>le moved for the second reading of The Juries Act Amendment Bill, providing for the abolition of Grand Jurios, It also provides that jurors in civil cases shall be paid by the State. To this a few of the speakers objected. The Bill wa» read a second time. The Railway and other Employees Bill was read a second time, Mr George Grey sppaking in a very eulogistic manner of the civility an 1 efficiency of the railway staff of the colony. On Thursday in the House of Representatives,

Major Atkinson tabled the following motion :—That the hon member for Auckland City West, Mr Dargaville, having charged the Premier and Treasurer with using for years their political position for the purpose of promoting legislation not for the good of the colony, but for the interest of the Bank of New Zealand, especially in assisting to pass the Public Debts Act, 1867 ; and further, having accused the Premier of receiving the sum ot LIO,OOO or some portion of LIO,OOO, as payment for such services rendered in passing the Public Revenues Act 18C7, a Select Committee be appointed to enquire into and report to the House-—(l) Have the Premier and Treasurer, or either of them, used their or his political position improperly in assisting to pass the Public Debts Act 1867, or in any other way in promoting legislation favorable to the interests ot the Bank of New Zealand and against the interests of the colony ; (2) Did the Premier receive directly or indirectly the sum of Llo,ooo,'or any larger sum or smaller «um, for helping to promote the passing

of the Public Debts Act 1867 or any other Act eiVe 1867, in which tho Bank of New Zealand was interested ; the Committee to consist of Messrs Driver, Hurst, Macandrew, Montgomery Steward, J. E. Brown and J. G. Wilson, four to form a quorum to report in a fortnight.

The Hon Major Atkinson moved that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire and report which of the roads gazetted under section 7 of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act should be approved as main roads ; the Committee farther to enquire and report whether there are circumstances which would justify the granting of all or any of the applications made since 31st March last to have roads declared main roads so as to enable the local bodies applying to participate in tho fund available for distribution under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act ; also whether it is desirable that applications should be entertained for the current year from Counties not having applied during the year 1883 to have additional roads placed on the schedule of main roads.

Mr Fulton proposed the following amendment, which was carried, ' and generally to consider in what direction the Roads and Bridges Act requires amendment." With that addition he supported the motion. The debate on this subject lasted the gieat part of the evening and ultimately the motion as amended was carried.

Rome Bills of no great importance having been dealt with, the Ilouse adjourned at 1 a.m.