GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1253, 16 October 1884, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Council on Tuesday, a breach of privilege by the Otago Daily Times, was brought before the Council, but the matter was allowed to drop, A number of Bills were read a first and second time. The Council then went into Committee on the Mortgages Release Extension Bill, Dr Pollen at once moved that the Speaker leave the chair, which was carried. The third reading of the Wellington College Reserve Confirmation Bill was moved by Mr Brandon and agreed to. The Anatomy Bill and Justices of the Peace Bill were committed, read a third time and passed. The Bills of Exchange Bill was further considered in Committee, reported, and passed. The Council adjonrned at 4.45 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the House on Monday, Mr Downie Stewart and the Hon. Mr Stout presented a petition from residents in Otago in favor of the Bible in schools. Mr Holmes presented a petition from the Freethought Society of Christchurch, protesting against the passing of any blasphemy laws in New 'Zealand, seeing that there is no State religion in the *°The Foreign Companies Bill amendment by the Upper House was agreed to.

The Hon. Mr Stout made the following statements as to order of busines The Government looked upon the following as policy Bills, and would push them forward at once, in anticipation of the delivery of the Public Works Statement and the passing of the Estimates : East and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway Bill, District Railways Leasing and Purchasing Bill, Government Insurance Association Bill, and West Coast Harbor Bills. They would push these on at once and get them to the Upper House, so as to avoid a practice that had hitherto gained ground, viz., of important measures of this kind going to the Legislative Council at the closing hours of the session. There were other Bills, but Government would reserve its statement respecting these until a future date. Mr Wakefield resumed the debate on the West Coast Kail way Bill, which he bitterly condemned. He knew he was on the unpopular side of the question, but he meant to do his duty. He said he did not condemn the railway, which would bring together two gr-at centres of population and production, but he condemned the means whereby it was to be carried out. Mr Gillies after criticising the Bui at length, said he would oppose it because he believed it was wrong. Mr Sntter and Mr Holmes supported the Bill. Mr Bryce estimated the cost of the work to complete it to Nelson at three millions of money. He moved as an amendment that it is not expedient to alienate vast tracts of public land and mineral property of unknown value to a private company as a premium for engaging in railway speculation in New Zealand, as railway works when of large colonial consequence ought to be under* taken and executed by the Government. After several other members had spoken, Mr Gregg moved the adjournment of the debate. Sir Julius Vogel objected to the adjournment. As far as the Government was concerned, they were doing everything to hasten the close of the session. Still there were Bills which had to be passed, and this was one of them. He hoped they would not preveht the motion from coming to a division that night. The motion for an adjournment was lost on the voices. The motion for the second reading was put—Ayes, 39 ; Noen, 12. . The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to bo committed the following day. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Tnesday. Replying to Mr Steward, the Hon. Mr Richardson said instructions had been given for passenger carriages built at Government workshops to be fitted up with all such conveniences as are provided in carriages of the American pattern. Replying to Mr Reese, the Hon. Mr Stout said the official report of the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition would be distributed among the Industrial Associations of the colony. Replying to Mr O’Connor, the Kon. Mr Stout said that Government telegraphic correspondence was equal to an annual charge of £21,000, and for that reason alone he could not recommend an increased use of telegraphy in conducting public correspondence. Replying to Mr Rolleaton, the Hon. Mr Richardson said afoot and stock carrying bridge was required over the Rangitata river, and if taken in hand by the local bodies Government might contribute its quota. In replying to other questions it was stated that “J. Ollivier, whoso letter re the unemployed appeared in the Christchurch Star,” was not amenable to the Civil Service regulations, consequently he was not prohibited from writing such a letter ; that the bonus offered for 50 tons of cheese was awarded to the New Zealand and Australian Land Company ; the Government will consider what proportion of the Colonial Trust Fund it is advisable should be invested in New Zealand securities.

Several olher questions of only local importance were also replied to. On the motion of the Hon. Sir Julius Yogel, the report on the District Railways Leasing and Purchasing Bill was reported, and on the motion for reading a third time, Mr J. W. Thomson and Mr Rolleston protested against the Bill. Sir Julius Yogel having replied, the House divided—Ayes, 41 ; Noes, 21. Messrs Rolleston and Wakefield voted against the Bill and Messrs Steward and Sutter for it. Mr Turnbull did not vote.

The motion for goin£ into Committee on the Government Insurance Ascociation Bill was carried after debate,

The Westport Harbor, Qreymouth Harbor, and Government Insurance Bills, were considered in Committee, and the House adjourned.