GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1529, 8 July 1886, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Council on Tuesday, Dr Menzies presented a petition from the Presbyterians of Waikoumti in favor of reading the Bible in public schools. The New Zealand Bible ami Tract Society, and the Cathedral Site (Parnell; Leasing Bills were read a second time. The East and West Coast Railway Con-' structioo Bill was received from (he House of Representatives, and read a first time. The second redding was made an order of the day for Friday. Mr Reynolds moved the second reading of the Local Bodies Loan Bill, which, after debate, was agreed to. The second reading of the Gold Duty Abolition Bdl was lost on a division —Ayes 15, i o a 16. Tne principal business in the Council in the evening was the consideration of the Municipal Corporal ions Bill in Committee. On the motion of Mr Skrimski the general rate was reduced from Is 3d to la. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 7.30 p.m. on Monday. In answer to Mr Bryce the Premier said an opportunity would be given this week for discussing the Public Works Statement. The Counties Bill was further considered in Committee. The Premier moved to insert to following new counties Hobson, Rotorua, Otamea, and to change the names of Wairarspa East and West into North and South, Considerable discussion ensued, several members deprecating the creation of the counties. Mr Wakefield moved to add Ellesmere county, but the motion was lost. The Premier’s motion was carried by 40 to 30. Mr Ive»s moved to omit town districts from county jurisdiction, and this being lost, Mr O’Connor proposed to include boroughs in counties, which was n'so negatived. Clause 168, separate accounts to be kept for ridings comprising rovl and town districts, was struck out on the motion of the Premier, and clause 275, the council may contribute out of county funds for school buildings, was struck out on the voices. A number of new clauses were added, among them being one giving councils power to spend money in eradicating the Californian thistle or other noxious weeds. A clause was added permitting travel! ing expenses to county chairman up to £IOO per annum. In the House on Tuesdsy tke second reading of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Additions! Capital and Debentures Validation Bill was agreed to. Replying to questions it was stated, that there was no truth in the rumor that Government intended mak ; ng any further appointments to the Legislative Council' at present ; that debates and places could be filled in at the left hand top corner of the new telegraph forms without charge, alio that the color of the receiving forms would be altered ; that Government would put « small sum ou the Estimates for assisting the more pressing cases of suffering by the recent volcanic eruption, but they did not intend to assist in every case ; that 293 men out of a total force of 483 constables were married and weie’provided with quarters, the remainder were provided with quarters as vacancies occurred. Mr Hislop introduced, the Chattels Securities Act 1880 Amendment. Mr Ormond introduced the Napier OJ dfellows’ Lodge Site Bill. Mr Ballnnce n oved the third reading of the Nativ* L>nd Administration Bill. . Messrs Bryce, Rollesion, Hobbs, and Russell opposed the measure. The debate was interrupted by the 5 30 p.m, adjournment, and oa the House resuming at 7.30, Mr Larnach made his annual statement as Minister of Mines. . He began by impressing on members the Importance of other mineral products than gold or coal, to which attention in the past bad been solely devoted, and remarked that onefifth of the total exports of the colony was in minerals. Seven millions of capital were invested in this industry by 451 companies, besides the value of works, such as water-races, undertaken by the State. There were 11,178 gold miners iu the colony, a decrease on the previous year, but the product of gold was greater. Every year the quartz raining industry was receiving greater attention. The earnings of miners last year showed a decrease of £3 15s in the north, which was attributable to a want of proper appliances. There was, he urged, a vast undeveloped field in the Thames district, which it would be easier to work than hunting for gold in Western Australia There were 3000 Chinese on the goldfields, who produced one-sixth of the total quantity of gold exported last year, Turning to coal-mines, he said they were steadily increasing their output. Las' year 511,062 tons were turned out, and 130,202 tons imported. He regretted that the export was so small, and said that if the West Coast harbors had. been put on the same footing as other public works we should now count the exports by tens of thousands of tons. There were now 95 mines being worked, with an average output of 515 tons per man. Last year the produce of the Westport; coal had decreased 36,000 tons, owing to a strike. On the other hand the Brunner mines produced 50,000 mors tons

than in the previous year. He expected next year these mines, with the addition of new ones just about to begin ,work, would double the output. Oollingwood was also extremely rich in minerals, but the difficulty of communication presented the district being properly worked. C"al, iron and limestone were there to be I'muid side by side. He was in communication with manufacturers in America regarding an improved form of drill which could be carried on a man’s back, and would bore to the depth of 500 feet. He referred to Professor Black’s tour among the (mines, and eulogised the labors of that gentleman, and their good result. The Mines Department had sent a collection to the Exhibition in London,which Lad been described by the English papers as second to that of no other colony. The Department had also taken in hand the publication of a hand-book of mining, the want of which had been much'felt. The debate on the Native Lands Administration Bill was , then resumed, Messrs Hassell, Trimble, Moss, and Buchanan opposing it, and Messrs , Hakuene, Dargaville, Wi Pere, Smith,. Montgomery, and Pratt supporting it. Mr Balbmce then replied.