GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1578, 7 May 1887, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on WedI nesday. The C«mbrHge and Hastings Borough Act, imd the Counties Act Amendment Bill wtb read a first time. 1 Mr Buckley moved the second reading of the Pharmacy Act Amendment Bill, which was intended to provide for the registration of the members of tho Pharmaceutical Society of. Ireland in New Zealand.—The motion was adjourned till Friday. The debate on tu«» second reading of the Legislative Couoci' Speaker's Bill whs resumed. -The motion for the second reading was lost by 19 (o (5. The Kermadec Islands Bill passed through its remaining stages. Mr Reynolds moved the second reading of the Divorce Act Amendment Bill, explaining that it was not a Government measure.—The discussion was adjourned till next day. The Council rose at 3.50 p.m. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. The petition of 2455 residents of Christchurch against the employment of barmaids was (.reseated. The Divorce Act Amendment Bill was strongly opposed by Dr Grace, Mr Buokley, Mr and others.—The Bill was thrown out. The Council rose'at 4.10 p.m. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Mr Ormond gave notice to ask whether Government intended during the present session making any.propoßal for reducing the honorarium, of members of the Legislature. The Speaker announced that ho had received a oable message from the AgentGeneral in London containing the resignation of Mr Leonard Harper as member for Avon, and on the motion of the Premier it was agreed that a writ be issued for a new election. Replying to questions, it was that there was iro truth-in the report that Government intended to reduce the wages of engiue-drivers, shunters, and laborers by one shilling per day ; that the White Terrace was found to be covered with 70 feet of mud ; that inquiry would be-made into the recent explosion in the Wallsend mine in the Grey district. Mr Locke introduced the Gisborne Harbor Board Empowering Act Amendment Bill. The Premier introduced the Regulation of Elections Amendment Bill. Replying to M- ißollnston, with reference to the £1932 paid to Mrs Eraser, Mr BalLince said that the block of land was 92,775 acres, and payment was made out of the vote of 1886-7. The SurveyorGeneral and Assisiant Surveyor strongly urged the acquisition of the block for settlement. The survey of the block w«s authorised by Mr RoHeston in 1881. Mr Taipua introduced a Bill to amend, the Native Land Administration Act, 1886. Mr Turnbull moved that a return be laid before the House of Ihe costs incurred by the Crown in the prosecut'oo of Thomas. Ha ! l, showing sepamtely, on each occasion, the sums paid to the Crown Prosecutors anc witnesses in the two j cases, (1) of tho attempted murder of Mrs Hall, and (2) of the murder of Captain Cain. He spoke at great length on the recent trial of Thomas Hall, and said it was the general opinion of the whole country that a great failure of justice had occurred in the second trial. The Premier denied that the Government had neglected their duty in the matter. As for the change of venue to Dunedin, which Mr Turnbull complained of so much, he said that the juries in Christchurch and Duuedin had both convicted tho prisoner. He regretted the action ot the House last session in refusing to pass the Criminal Code Bill, as that Bill would have given power to the Ceurt of Appeal to order a new trial. ! Mr Sutler condemned the change of venufe to Dunedin, and considered the trial was a gross, miscarriage of justice. Mr Taylor Baid that if Hall had not had money to go to the Court of Appeal, he would have been hanged without ceremony. Mr Samuel, Mr Connolly, and Mr Downie Stewart considered the decision of the Judges quite right. Sir George Grey said this discussion had given ample proof that the AttorneyGeneral should not be the Premier of ,-the coloDy. The Premier should at once retire from practice. The debute was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The debate was resumed at 7.30 p.m. on the Representation Bill. Mr J. Mackenzie's amendment to limit the number of members to 71, was carried by 37 to 33 without any further discussion. Messrs Rolleston, Sutter, Turnbull and Steward voted for the reduction. Mr G. F. Richardson moved an amendment in the same clause that a nominal addition of 20 per cent shall be made to the population of special districts. Despite the opposition of the Premier, town districts were retained in the clause relating to " special districts. " Mr White moved the insertion among special districts of municipalities contain, ing not more than 1500 inhabitants. The Premier suggested 2000 and this was carried. Mr Richardson's amendment was then discussed, and after the supper adjournment, was carried. The clause will now read : "The total population of the colony (other than Maoris) shall have nominally the following additions made—namely, 20 ;per cent i to all country districts, excluding all municipalities." Mr Pearson moved that the margin of 500 allowed in adjusting the electoral divisions should be increased to 1000. The motion was carried by 46 to 31. The Premier said that the Bill had been so altered that he would move to report progress in order to further consider it. In answer to Mr Seddon he said ho was prepared to accept the reduction made io the number of members. Progress was reported and the House rose at midnight. The House mot at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. Replying to questions, it was stated that Government did not intend deajing with the quesion of salary and allowances to ho paid to future Governors ; that no • doubt umngemeuts could be made J

wheroby forms of claim for enrolment of shall be obtainable nt all poßtdfficeH in the colo'iy; that l\>e question of red notion of honorarium of members would be dealt with in the Financial Statement. Several Bills were introduced. The Premier said be desired to make a ntate»ent with reference to the Representation Bill. After the amendments carried iQ the Bill last evening, the Go--1 vernment did not see tlieir way to proceed nDy further with the Bill in its present shape. At the same time he recognised, and the House also understood, that the Bill was not a party measure, and /is he was anxious to have some Bill dealing witn Representation passed this session, he would be glad if those members who desired to see an amended Bill passed would meet him so tint some compromise might be effected which would be satisfactory to all parties. After some debate it was arranged that,the Bill should be further discussed at a future lime. The Sydenham Borough Council Empowering Bill, and the Nelson Foreshore Reserve Bill, were read a second time. Mr Billance moved the secon'l reading of the Wanganui Harbor Bill. He said it wan a similar measure to that introduced last year for raising £100)000 for harbor improvements. The motion for the second reading was carried by 35 to 23. Mr Turn bull's motion for the return regarding the cost of the prosecution of Thomas Hall was agreed to. The Premier moved that the papers r* Owhuoko and Kaimanawa Native Lands (Sir W. Buller's statement) be printed. After some discussion the motion was agreed to. Sir George Grey moved the second readiogfof the Law Practitioners' Bill, and said he hud in the previous session explained the Bill in every detail. Aftor an animated debate the second reading was carried by 29 to 20. On the motion of Mr D. Stewart, the Friendly Societies Act Amendment Bill wis read a second time. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Limitation of Votes Bill, providing for electors voting in only one electorate.—Agreed to. Sir GeDrge Grey moved the second reading'-of the the Contagious Diseases Repeal Bill. Although no doubi. brought -forward with tho beßt motives, he -held I hat the Act should apply to both sexes. The debate wns .interrupted by the supper adjournment. On resuming, the House adjourned again for half-in-hour, to enable a meeting to be held regarding the Representation Bill. A division whs then taken, on Mr Calbighan'a amendment, that the Contagious Diseases Repea I Bill be read th«t day six months, which was carried by 52 to 11, and theßill was thrown^out. The Land for Settlement Bill was introduced by Sir George Grey and read a first time. The House rose at 11.45 p.m.