GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9195, 24 September 1891, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW ZE ALAND.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, September 23. — Tho Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. It was announced that the Conference on the Crown Lands Restriction Bill had failed to arrive at a compromise. Mr Buckley moved—" That on the occasion of the retirement of Sir Dillon Bell, from tho position of Agent-General for the colony, the thanks of the Council be given to him for the important and valuable services rendered by him, in that capacity." This was agreed to, after eulogistic speeches had been delivered by Messrs Whitraore, Reynolds, Pollen, Grace, and Stevens. , The Council adjourned at 5 p.m., and on resuming at 7.30 p.m., The Coal Mines' Bill, and Naval and Military Settlers Land Bill ,were put through their final stages. The Borough Reserve Vesting and Sales Bill was held over till next session. The Council rose at 8.15 p.m. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, September 23. — Tho Sp aker tootc the chair at 2.30 p.m. In replying to a question, the Government stated that it was not proposed to pay Mr Kennedy Macdonald, one of the Public Trust Commissioners, anything for his services on that Commission, as the amount placed by the Government on the Estimates for that purpose, had been struck off last night at the request o£ Mr Macdonald himself. On the question being put, that the votes from the Committee of Supply be reported to the House, Mr Guineas called attention to the vote of £1141 for paying off Bellamy's overdraft, which ho regretted to see had passed in Committee when there was a thin attendance and ho happened to be absent from the chamber. He moved that this item be recommitted for consideration. The motion was lost by 39 to 11, and the resolution was agreed to. Mr Ballance said the Joint Library Com mittee had recominonded that the Sergeant-at-Arma be also appointed librarian with an additional salary of £100 a year. The Government did not concur in that recommendation, nor did they agree with the proposal that the assistant-librarian be paid £50 additional. The report was discussed by the House, and was a^ree 1 to without material amendment, the increase of £50 to the assistant-librarian being carried. The House adjourned at 3.30 p.m , and on resuming at 7.30 p.m. The Slaughter House Act Amendment Bill, Hamerton Pension Bill, Educational Endowments and Reserves Management and Exchange Bill were put through their final stages. Mr Ballance said the Government had carefully re-considered the question of paying Judge Edwards' costs in the Privy Council, but looking at all the circumstances, they had come to the conclusion that they could not interfere in the matter at present. A similar resolution to that passed by the Legislative Council with reference to the retirement of Sir Dillon Bell, was carried unanimously. Mr Seddon moved that the alterations effected by the Council in the Naval and Military Settlers Land Bill he agreed to. Several members objected to the amendments, which they contended would render the bill a dead letter. Mr Seddon eventually agreed to an adjournment of the debate in order to see whether a conference could be arranged with the Council. The Native Land Court Acts Amendment Bill, to enable an enquiry to bo made into certain native titles by the ordinary Native Land Court of the colony instead of a Royal Commission, was read a second time. • The Appropriation Act and the Public Works Appropriation Act was introduced and read a second time. The House rose at 1i.30 p.m.