GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1256, 23 October 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Monday last. On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, the Animals’ Protection Amendment Bill and the Eradication of Lice in Sheep Bill were introduced and read a first time. It was resolved that the evidence taken before the Sheep and Rabbit Acts Committee be printed. The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the District Railways Bill.

Sir George Whitmore spoke in opposition to the Bill. The Hon. Mr Waterhouse moved as an amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. The Hons. Mr Oliver, J. B. A. Acland, Miller, Chamberlain, and others spoke against the Bill, and at 9.30 the amendment was carried by 21 to 9, and the B'.ll was thrown out.

The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, A message was received from the Governor intimating that leave of absence had been granted to Mr Matthew Holmes for the remainder of the session. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary announced that the Governor had been pleased to call Mr AVilliam Reeves, of Christchurch, to the Upper House. The Ferpenal Trustees Estate and Agency Companies Bid, and tne Harbor Board Loans 0 'nsolidiition Bdl were read a third time and passed.

The Greymouth and Westport Harbor Boards Bill was introduced, and read a first time.

Sir George Whitmore moved the second reading of the Gisborne Harbor Bill. — Carried.

The Tauranga School Site Bill was also read a second time.

The Council then considered the Employment of Females Bill further in Committee. Dr Pollen at once moved that progress be reported without asking leave co sit again. The motion was carried by 15 to 14.

The Cruelty to Animals and the Workmen’s Wages Bills were also considered in Committee and reported with amendment*.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the House of Representatives on Monday, The Civil List Amendment Act Bill was introduced in Committee by the Hon. Mr Stout, and read a first time. The Hon. Mr Stout moved that the amendments made by the Committee in the East and West Coast (Middle Island) Railway Bill be agreed to. The Hon. Mr Rolleston moved the recommittal of the Bill with the view of inserting a clause to the effect that no other railway than those specified be constructed under the provisions of the Act. Mr Barron said if the Bill were re-com-raitted he should move that the words “30 per cent, of the cost of the railways” be inserted in clause 9 instead of 50 per cent. He thought members voted on this question on Friday night under a misconception. Mr Menteath supported the re-com-mittal with the view of moving that the words the “ Arthur’s Pass route” be struck out.

Mr Macandrew hoped the Government would stick to the Bill, and not consent to its re-committal.

Mr Bryce advised the withdrawal of the amendment. He said if the Bill were recommitted it would certainly not get out of Committee again that afternoon. Mr Eolleaton then rose, and said he would withdraw his amendment for the re-committal of the Bill.

Sir George Grey thought the Bill should not be allowed to proceed without further information from the Government as to the land to be taken for the construction of the railway. He moved that the Bill be re-committed, so that the several amendments might be discussed. Captsin Russell said he would like to move in clause 9, if the Bill were re-com-mitted, that the words “ without any regard to any prospective value that will be°givento such land by the proposed undertaking,” be struck out, and the words “ with due regard to” be inserted. The motion for the re-committal of the Bill was put and lost on the division— Ayes, 40 ; Noes, 15. The amendments were then agreed to, and the Bill was read a third t<me.

The Westport and Greymouth Harbor Board Bills were then reported with amendments, read a third time and passed.

The Government Insurance Association Bill was further considered in Committee, and some amendments made. The Hou*e met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. The Hon. the Premier, on behalf of Sir Julius Vogel, gave notice to move next Friday that the House go into Committee to consider the following resolution—“ That the difficulties surrounding the railways constructed under the District Railway Act, and the hardships to which the ratepayers are subjected in connection therewith, are such that this House considers the Government should seize a favorable apportunity to acquire the said lines, the cost not to exceed the value ascertained by a Court of Enquiry presided over by a Judge of the Supreme Court, based on the actual coat at which, at the time of construction, the railways could have been constructed, less depreciation and deterioration since from a reduction in the market value and wear and tear, plusfl ny amount the owners of the said railways have been or may be authorised to levy on the ratepayers up to 31st March last; it being made a condition that all proceedings against ratepayers shall be stopped, and all amounts received from ratepayers be returned to them, the Government to pay over a third in cash for the said railways, the balance to bear four per cent interest, and to be paid in four equal annual instalments ; the Government next session to introduce a Bill to make the ratepayers liable for one half of any amount short of four per cent, which the railway yield after paying working expenses, plus the cost of raising the rates.”

Replying to Mr Downie Stewart, the Hon. Mr Tole said there was some necessity for improved accommodation for tho safe keeping of deeds, books, etc., in the Dunedin Deeds Registry Office. Enquiries were being made at present and steps would be taken to effect the object m view'.

Replying to Mr Cowan, the Hon. Mr Richardson said there were two or three serious ohiections to the issue of railway return tickets on all days other than Saturdays at a price equal to two single tickets. The expense attached to it would also ba considerable.

Replying to Mr Beatham, the Hon. Mr Tole said Government did not intend to put a sum on the Estimates to reimburse Alfred Holt’s expenses at the Marton, Supreme Court. The Government would look into the matter as to whether subpoena forms issued to witnesses in criminal cases should not contain a notice that the drawn would be responsible for witnesses’ expenses, and if possible they would give the necessary directions for doing so. Replying to Mr Wakefield, the Hon. Mr Ballance said the long service men of the armed constabulary were sent into the police force. Replying to Mr Guinness, the Hqn. Mr Richardson said new regulations would be shortly issued, which would fix the scale of charges for school children travelling by rail. Replying to Mr O’Callaghan, the Hon, Mr Stout said that it was too late this session to bring in a Bill to abolish the duty on binder twine. The duty would not be collected till the Ist January. A number of other questions were replied to. The Government Insurance Association Bill was considered in Committee.

Clause 7, as amended by the Premier the previous day, was passed, and after some discussion clauses 8 to 19 wore passed without material alteration. In clause 20 for remuneration of Directors, Mr Montgomery moved to amend the clauses so as to render elected directors

disqualified from being members of either Houses of Parliament. The amenbnent was lost on a division.

Sir George Grey moved to add the following provison to the clause— l£ provided that no Member of either branch of the Legislature shall be capable of being nominated by the Governor to the paid office of director in breach of the Disqualification Act.” The Committe divided, and the voting was equal—Ayes 27, Noes 27. The Chairman gave his casting vote v/ith the “Noes,” and the amendment was therefore lost.

On clause 22, providing that the Colonial Secretary be Chairman of the Board, a long discussion ensued, but it was ultimataly passed. Clause 24 was amended with the consent of Government, making the quorum five instead of three.

In clause 33 a sub-section was added that all policy-holders of the age of 21 will be qualified to vote for the election of local directors in such manner as the Board may direct. The remainder of the Bill passed with verbal alterations, and was reported with amendments.

The Otago Harbor Board’s Loan Consolidation Bill was reported from the Legislative Council with amendments, which were agreed to. The Public Works Amendment Bill was considered in Committee. The House went into Committee on the Public Works Amendment Bill, and a number of verbal and unimportant amendments in several clauses were agreed to. Clause 18, relating to the licensing of unused roads by local authorities was struck out. Clause 21, providing that permission be given to persons occupying land near a railway to use a private level crossing shall become ipso facto revoked upon his ceasing to occupy the land or premises in respect whereof permission was granted, was struck out. Clause 22 “ This Act to apply to finished railways ” was struck out. The Bill was reported with amendments and the House rose.