GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1532, 15 July 1886, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Council on Wednesday, Mr Reynolds presented a petition in favor of reading the bible in schools. The debate was resumed on the question that ihe Females Employment Bill be read this day six months. The molion for the second reading was carried. The Native Land Administration Bill and Native Land Court Bill were read a second time, and referred to the Native Committee. The East and West Coast Railway Bill was committed. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. In the evening the Midland Railway Bill was reported with one verbaL amendment, and ordered to be sent back to the House. The Counties Bill was read a second time, and the Council adjourned -at 8.30 p.m. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 7.30 p.m. on Monday. The Police Force Bill was read a third time and passed. The Defence Bill was further considered in Committee, Postmasters, telegraph clerks, telegraph clerks, letter carriers, and persons engaged on the railways, were exempted from service in the militia. Colonel Trimble moved to strike out of the clause the words fixing the grant to garrison corps at £3, and to country corps at 30s. After some discussion Mr Ballance accepted the amendment, the effect of which is simply to affirm that capitation shall be paid, without fixing any amount. The remainder of the Bill passed without discussion. The Civil Service Referm Bill was further considered in Committee, Clause 17, Royal Commissioner to report periodically as to adjustment of, salaries according to cost of living, was thrown out on a division. Clause 12, dealing with the retirement fund, was amended to provide for the rights of female civil servants, and also that the State might appropriate money , for the fund. The Bill was repo'ted with amendments. The Animals Protection Act Amendment and Codlin Moth Act Amendment Hills were then committed.. Progress was reported and the House adjourned at 12.50 n.m. In the House on Wednesday, Replying to questions it was stated that in making future appointments to thte Legislative Council the propriety of nominating members for mining will receive consideration ; that Mr Arthur Olayden, as immigration agent, was tinder the control of the Agent-General and money would be paid lohim, not as salary but for expenses. Mr Pyke, on the Premier’s suggestion, withdrew his motion relating to the , rejection of a Tax Remission Bill by the Legislative|Council, and the Premier said that the Minister of Mines would bring in a Bill dealing with gold duty abolition. The Defence Bill, Civil Service Reform Bill and Animals Protection Act, Amendment Bill were read a third time and passed. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill was further considered in Committee. In Clause 13—the Treasurer not to lend to local bodies in excess of sums stated—it was decided that the sum to be lent to County Councils should not exceed £6000; to a Road Board not exceeding £3000; to a Town Board not exceeding £3OOO ; to a River Board not exceeding £IOOO. Several new clauses making special provision for school buildings, elicited some discussion, which was interrupted by the 6.30 p.m. adjournment. At 7.30 p.m. the discussion was coniinued, and The proposed clauses were rejected on the voices. The Bill was reported with amendments, and re-com-mitted tor ihe further consideration of three clauses, which were passed. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply Mr Scobie Mackenzie moved to rescind the resolution of October, 1884, by which practicing medical men were disabled from acting as coroners. He urged that doctors, being skilled in medical knowledge, were the best persons who could be chosen as coroners, and he did not think there was any fear of their abusing their position. He added that the original resolution was passed in this House. The resolution was lost by 35 to 36. In Committee of Supply the estimates were considered. Education vote — On item £9500 boarding out children, the Premier, in answer to a question, said this was an increase of £2500 on last year’s vote. The system had been found highly satisfactory. Mr Turnbull moved to strike out item £3400 for high schools. The vote was retained by 42 to 12, Total vole, £382,914, was passed intact. Class 9, Native Minister, £20,104, was passed without reduction. Class 12, defence £189,030, was passed without amendment, and the House rose at 1,15 a.m.