GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1540, 3 August 1886, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Council on Friday, The Native Land Administration Bill, and Native Land Court Bill were read a third time. The Public Bodies Leasing Bill, anil Administration Amendment Bi'l were rea' r a first time.

In reply to Sir Frederick Whitaker the Speaker said thut considering the Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill was a Money Bill, he could by leave of the Council direct it be laid aside.—The Speaker directed accordingly. The Otago Harbor Bridge Bill wa* read a second time. The Counties Bill and First Offenders Probation Bill were read a third time auri passed. The Civil Service Reform Bill, Port Chalmers Fire Brigade Site, Bill, Otago Harbor Leasing Bill, Auckland Hnrbor Loan Biil, City of Christchiuch Municipal Offices Bill, and Oamaru Harbor L J ourd Loan Bill were further considered in Committee and progress reported on each Bill.

The Council at 5 p.m. adjourned till Monday.

HOUSE OF KEPRESENIATIVES

The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. The Cathedral Site (Parnell) Leasing Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Moss brought up the report of the Public Accounts Committee relative to the purchase of Stark's property at North Shore, Auckland, for defence purposefvto the effect that Government were just tied in paying the price they did, and that the weight of evidence went to show that the property could not bave been obtained for a less amount in the Compeusation Court.

Replying to questions it was stated that. no land had been given for the track of the North Island Main Trunk Railway by Wahanui or any other Maoris, and that instructions had been given that any men employed by Government in future should not receive more than 6s per day. Tain referred to unskilled labor.

The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill was further considered io Conimi'tee.

The Premier said the only amendments as to diHtricts that he would agree to'were to constitute the north of Auckland and Waikato into hospital districts. He would opt agree to amendments respecting Nelfton, Buller, and Inangahua dinr.ricis. Mr DargaviUe moved an amendtrn-ut to add the counties of Wang>irei, Uohson and Otamatu to the North of Auckland and this was carried.

Mr Steward moved to separate Waimate from the South Canterbury district, but this and several other amendments were lost and the Bill was reported with amendments, which were ordered to be considered next sitting day. The Premier moved that the House at its rising adjourn till 2.30 on Monday.— Agreed to. The Beer Duty Act Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee, and reported with amendments. The Bill was afterwards re-committed, and clause 9 was amended to provide that a license may be refused to any biewer who shall be convicted of any offence under the Act. Progress was then reported. The Deceased Persons Estates Dutiei Amendment Bill was recommitted and finally paßsed. A message was received from the Governor recommending that a sum of £175,000 should be added to the schedule of the Loan Bill and appropriated to the railways in the Middle Island. The Loan Bill was further considered in Committee. Mr Rolleston moved that the debate might be reported in Hansard. This was lost.

A long debate ensued, Major Atkinson, Mr Montgomery and others contending that the Government should state to what specific purpose they proposed devoting the £175,000 struck off the schedule on the previous day. This the Premier refused to do, and a division was taken- -Ayes 32, noes 34.

The schedule us amended with a total of £1,325,000 was then passed. Sir Julius Vogel aaid the vote just given would have a very serious effect on the general finances of the colony, as it would contract the expenditure unless a further loan was for next year. Major Atkinson said if the Premier would" state specifically what he wanted the money for the Opposition would be willing to vote it.

Messrs Dedson, J. McKenzte, ilabbs, and W. F. Buckland having spoken, the motiou that the amendments made in the Bill ba agreed to was carried, and at 2.15 a.m. on Saturday the House rose until Monday at 2.30.