GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1579, 10 May 1887, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. The Pharmacy Act Amendment Hill was read a second time. The Banks and Bankers Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Council went into Committee on the Counties Act Amendment Bill, but reported progress in order to enable a new clause, which the Colonial Secretary proposed to insert, to be printed. The Council adjourned at 2,.45 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

The House m*t at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. Replying to questions, it was stated that if the list of independent members were furnished to the Premier he vrould consult with the Speaker .to obtain a small room in the Parliamentary Buildings for their use ; that proposals would probably be brought down providing for the payment of penalties for the infraction of muuiHnal bye-laws without attendance at C>uit; that the Railway Department had frequently tried to compete with waggon traffic but without avail; that the question of reform in railway management would be dealt with in the Public Works statement; that senior police sergeants in several towns were i allowed to conduct police prosecutions, ' as it led to promoticn ; that the SurveyorGeneral had been aßked to arbitrate; for Jovernment in Mrs Fraser's case, but demurred, as be had already dealt with the case on Mr Percy Smith's report, and that Government was not aware of any representation having been made by Colonel Fraßer respecting Mr Cooper aa an arbitrator; that no complaints had reached the Railway Department respecting the revision of the railway tarifMor carrying agricultural produce. The Premier asked that the Representation Bill be postponed till Tuesday* as he was in hopes that some arrangement might be come to by that time on the Bill.—Agreed to. Sir Julius Vogel moved the second reading of the Local Authorities Jubilee Expenditure Bill. He explained the object of the Bill, which was to enable local bodies to contribute to objects in celebration of Her Majesty's Jubilee.—Major Atkinson and several other members opposed the Bill, and Sir Julius Vogel, saying the feeling of the House was against the Bill, moved for its withdrawal, which was agreed to. The Ward Conservation nf Rights Bill and the High School Reserve Act Amendment Bill were passed through Committee, read a third time, aad passed. The Premier moved the second reading of the Wellington University College Bill, which he explained was intends I to extend the benefits connected with higher education to Wellington, Taranaki, and Hawkes Bay. districts.—Agreed to. Mr Tole moved the Infanta Guardianship and Contracts Bill, the object of which was that after the father dies the mother may obtain the gaardiansoip.— Agreed to. The Premier moved the second reading of the Kermadec Islands Bill, the object of which was to annex the Islands to New Zealand. -Agreed to. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m., and resumed at 7.30 p.m. In Committee, the Employment of Females Bill was passed with slight amendment.

The Premier moved the Becond reading of tbe Regulation of Elections Act Amendment Act. Its chief prorfsions were that all ballot papers from the polling places were to be handed to the chief Returning Officer and mixed up before counting, and that instead of putting the voter's number on his ballot paper it was put on the counterfoil, and strict ecresy thus observed. He. believed that some objectionable features of the present syotem would be got rid of by this Bill. Mr B. F. Buckland objected to tbe Bill, and moved it be read that day six months. Several member? spoke against the Bill, all urging that the delay incurred in it would be serious. Major Atkinson believed that the Bill suggested a batter method than the present one. He deprecated hasty dealing with the measure, especially as there were some other reforms which might well be introduced into it. He moved the adjournment of the debate to give further time for consideration. Mr Buckland withdrew his amendment, and the adjournment was carried. The Premier explained that the Bill was introduced in consequence of numerous complaints that reached him from outlying districts. The Post Office Act Amendment Bill, making it penal to have in possession any counterfeit stamp, was read a eeoond time.

Mrßallance inowi the second reading ot the Naval and Military Volunteers Land Bill, It embodied the result of the labors of the Commission appointed last session to enquire into the claims of old soldiers and volunteers.—The Bill »•■ read a second time*

The Electors Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee. Clause 3, Registrar may remove from the roll names of persons who have changed their residence, elicited a long discussion.—lt pas passed slightly amended. Major Atkinson suggested that a good way of purging the rolls would be by striking off the names of persons who had not voted at elections. Clause 6, polling hours to be extended to 7 p.m. Mr G. F. Richardson moved j»h amendment, restricting the extension to boroughs and cities. Major Atkinson said that country members did not want the hours extended. He moved to report progress. The motion was agreed to, and the House rose at 1-5 a.m.