GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 1860, 16 October 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.]

Wellington, Oct. 15. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. t The House met at 7.30 this afternoon . The new Ministers occupied the Treasury Benches. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leare of absunce for 14 days was granted to Mr Taiaroa. DISQUALIFICATION. Mr Fox, as Chairmun of the Privileges Coramitteo m Mr Lusk's case, giive notice to more — " That Mr Lusk's conduct was derogatory to the dignity of Parliament, and that he be required to refund the foes received by him from the Auckland City Council." NEW MINISTEHIAL STATEMENT. Sir George Grey made a Ministerial statement, and said Mr Larnacli liad requested Hie assistance m forming a Ministry. He had dorm so, and endeavored to reconcile the differences arising from a division of the Hou*e into three partii-s. The Ministry was nol. yet complete, but it was intended Bhorl.ly to add two more members, as well as certain Native members. A thorough consideration of the financial position of the colony and every possible retrenchment were, he thought, the most important subjects before the country. They had not had much time to look into the finances of the colony, but what had been seen showed that retrenchment was absolutely necessary, and m the course of a few days a ■further Imprest Supply would be required to meet current expenditure, as the last £100,000 grunted was more than half expended when they took office The colonial liabilities also were found to greatly exceed what they had expected to find. The Colonial Treasurer would to-morrow make a full statement on the subject. Any financial difficulty waß, however, only likely to be temporary. Retrenchment could, ho thought, be best effected by the changing to some extent the mode of administration throughout the colony. Th» Provincial Governments had been absolutely destroyed, but not the Provincial system of administration, which caUBBd a vast|and useless expenditure. If the administration wxb concentrited m the hands of the central Government very largo reductions m expenditure could be "made. Large saving* could a' so be made m railway management, and to both these subjects the best attention of the Government would be given. Smaller matters would also be fittended to m the way of retrenchment, and Ministers intended to set the example of economy by beginning with themselves and reducing their own salaries as far as possible . Salaries of a small amount would not be interfered with. No publio works of importance would be neglected. The immigration and public works policy would be carried on fully, and by a judicious administration they hoped to be able to carry on that polioy more energetically and more successfully than had ever yet been the case. Having the benefit of the experience of the former Government, who had entered on what was a novel polioy, he hoped the Government would profit by that experienne regarding Native lands. They proposed to withdraw the Native Land Sales Suspension Bill. The Act of 1873 gave tho Government full powerß to prevent any improper trafficking m Native lands. The Government policy to the Natives generally would be to oultivate most friendly relations, and m doing this the Government had the advantage of a Native Minister born m the colony and brought up amongst the Natives. He denied any hostility to Wellington as the seat of Government. If any mm was entitled to represpnt Wellington interests it was himself, as he had been connected with it almost from its foundation. He was a firm friend to Wellington, and even if ulti mately no Wellington man found a seat on the Government Benches, its interest* were quite safe. He was unable to give, any pledge regarding the Land Fund, but tho Government would fully, carefully and calmly consider the whole question m order to come to a conclusion satisfactory to the colony and just to all parties. The Government desired to bring the session to a closo as toon as possible. They would take up the Land BUI, Mines Bill, Slaughter Hou«e Bill, Consolidated Stocks Bill ; and others, the Land Drainage Bill, Fencing Bill, Charitable Institutions Bill, Harbors Bill, Settlement Works Bill, would be dropped Every facility would be given to private members to push on their Bills consistently with ending the session m three or four weeks. The Government intended to give a great' deal of attention to the goldfielda, and -would take the sense of the House on making a separate Department of Mines under a responsible Minister. It would be proposed at as early a date as possible to place tho representation of the country on a more satisfactory baris. He would not attempt to go beyond the popular ijrill of the country iv any matter, or impose hit own views on an unwilling country. Wherever a mass of the population desired certain things to be done, they would carry it out if they approved of them ; and if they could not conscientiously give effect to those demands, they would retire and allow others to carry them out. They did not this session propose to bring forward any great measure j but would during the recess give attention to the best means of dealing with great questions. It would be for the House next session to pronounce an opinion on the raeasnres, and say whether the Ministry should be entrusted with the task of giving effect to tba will »f that august

Assembly. The Government would take the House and the country into its fullest .confidence. No information as to its finances or o'her matters wonld be withhe'd, and he appealed to the House for fair and reasonable ejnditions.

Football. — A general meeting of the S'oulh Canterbury Football Club will be held ii«xt Friday afternoon at the Ship Hotel. Agkicultubaii a.id Pastoral Association.—Mr W. Wills, of Tenmka, nnd Mr Frank Slee, of Waimate, are appointed ajents to receive entries for the forthcoming Agricultural Show. An advertisement m nnotber column gives the dates on which the entries must be made. Cbicket Club. — The annual meeting of the Tiinn.ru Cricket Club will be held at the Grosvenor Hotel at 7.45 p.m. to-morrow. Concert. — The choir of the Wesleyan Church will hold a concert m the Mechanics' Institute to-inorro.v evening The programme, os will be seen by a reference to our advertising columns, is a long ami varied one, and we uave no doubt that those who attend will be able to spend a most enjoyable evening. Masonic. — The Caledonian Lodge, No. 534, S.C., will hold an emergency meeting at the New Hall, Bunk-street, this evening, at 8 u'clock. Cable Intekituption. — Communicition by the Tasmanian cable is at present, interrupted, but messages can bo posted from Molbourne. To Or/H Headers. — Ox Friday next will appear m our columns the firßt of a Brrirs of articles on the Eastern Question, contributed by <*• gentleman thoroughly well able to deal with the subject. They will be published every Friday and Monday, ond will, we feel sure, prove of great interest to our readers. They will be written from an entirely independent point of view. Geraldine Eaces.— The settling meeting of the Geraldine races was held last Saturday. 'I he largest winner Tvas Mr JR. Bay, owner of Danebury ; Mr J. H. Lunn, owner of Grey Momus and Phantom, and Mr T. B. Jones, owner of Fishhook, came next. The result of the meeting was satisfactory to all concerned. Tiuaeu School Committee. — A special meeting of the Timaru School Committee was held yesterday afternoon m Messrs Tate and Hall's office. Present : Mesßn Tate (chair- J man), Cliff, Fyfe, Sutter, and the Eev. Mr Gillies. The meeting was called for the purpose of considering a letter received from the Board of Education, Christchutch, authorising the Committee to advertise for a successor to Miss Hamilton at a salary of £120 a rear. After some discussion the following resolution, proposed by the Eev. Mr Gillie*, and seconded by Mr Sutter, was curried — " That m the opinion of this Committee a salary of £120 a year is altogether inadequate for one capable of filling the position vacant m the school, and, m view of the impending changes under the new Act, rather than make a permanent appointment to the detriment of the school at the salary authorised, the appointment shall be postponed and a temporary arrangement made for cirrying on the work until a new Board for South Canterbury is appointed. The Committee would further express regret and Burpriße at the action of the Board m attempting to|enf«rce regulations which have not yet been sanctioned by the Governor, and m the event of the Education Act, at present before Parliament, not being finally passed during this session, this Committee resolve to memorialise the Governor not to give his sanction to the proposed regulations until they have been laid bolore School Committees for the expression of their opinions thereon, the salaries of first and second teacheis being altogether disproportionate. The Committee would also point out that under the proposed scale of Btaff and salary, page 60 of the report to which the Board has referred the Committee for explanation of the reduction of salaries m the Timaru girls' school, it being a separate school from the boys' school, and having on average attendance of 195 girls for the last month, which average will be greatly increased immediately after the Chrißtmasholiday«, owing to the drafting m of a number of girls from the infant department — the head mistress would be entitled to £218-£235, while the present mistress is only getting, £200, co that £150 might be allowed for the second mistress. There being no o f her business, the meeting closed. Jocket Ciub. — A meeting of the Course Committee of the South Canterbury Jockey Club was held last night m the Criterion Hotel. Present: Meßsr» T. Hnll (m the chm'r), Jonus, R. Stansell, J. Meikle, and J. E Stansell. On the motion of Mr E. Stanstll, seconded by Mr Jonas, the Secretary was instructed to write to Mr Stevenson request ing him to make the fences of the race course impassable to cattle, m accordance with the terms of his lease. Mr Meikle proposed, and Mr Jonas seconded, and it was carried— <: That the Secretary wait upon Mr White m reference to the rent due from Mr Stevenson, and that the money be paid to the Club at once. Letterß were read from Messrs Gardner and Stock, Nicholas, aDd King intimating their willingness to subscribe 10 guineas towards a sires' produce stakes. A letter^ was read from the Secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club stating that they did Dot recognise disqualifications unless endorsed by the Metropolitan Olub of the district. A letter of apology was read from Mr White, stating that he was unable to attend the meeting. It was resolved to thank Mr White for his services with regard to the agreement between the trustees and the South Canterbury Jockey Club, for which ho had made np charge. On the motion of Mr E. Stansell, seconded by Mr Jonas, the offer of Messrs Gardner and Stock, C. Nicholas, and J. King, of ten guineas eaoh, was accepted for Talisman Kauri, and Detractor the money to be paid at once for the purpose of investing it as a special furd, and that the secretary advertise the same to be run for m 1881, all owners of horses willing to subscribe to be allowed to do so by the Ist November, 1377, the club to add 50 joys., starters to pay a, sweep of 5 bovb. to go to the second horse, nominations to be oneguinea, payable on or before the Ist of January, 1877. On rhe motion of Mr Meikle, seconded by Mr Jonas, it was resolved to request Mr Williamson to lay off a course with a. straight run m, to finish m front of the hill at the aouthnrn end of the section, the distance to be one and a quarter miles, and thab the erection pf a grand stand be proceeded -with at once. This concluded the business, and the meeting adjourned. Pbactioal Joke.— Some of the residents at the Thames recently attempted to play a trick on a certain Sergeant Mulville, the circumstances of which, according to the Advertiser, are as follows : — It appears that it was intended by a few to get the sergeant to attend a 'so-called presentation, and, having done the usual preliminary speechifying, to have presented him |with a box containing !' Maw's Feeding Bottle for Infante of Tender Years" and a pack of Joker cards, tied up m black crape, indicative of the death of the came at the Thames through the exertions of Sergeant Mulville. Fortunately he was too old a bird, to be caught with chaff, and when tfl» " testimonial" was afterwards sent round to the police-station the messenger was gla,d to beat a hasty retreat without stopping to complete his errand. PkIZE -BOS SHEBP SffßAßllfa.^-AmOnggt other special prizes to be offered for competition at the forthcoming Agricultural and Pastoral Sbow at Timaru, we notice three by the President (Mr Fulbert Archer) for sheep shearing m English style. The first prize will be £5 5«, the second £3 3s, and the third £2 2s. Pens, each containing three iheep, will be drawn for, the shearing to commence at 2 p.m. on October 31. Each competitor must send bis name to the Secretary by Saturday, 27th ine«-. >lr Archer, m off.-.«Uirr

thfso prize*, desires no doubt to find out i-xti'.-tiy what men there ar>- m the district capable of shearing m thy Eng'isli styl.-. Now ' that lonuwoollsheep are eomin<; into so much fnvor it is lrghly neci-ssary that owners of valuable animals of the breed slio;ikl be :ih!e to calculate uron procuring slxaivrs who "ill tin them justice and will not injure thfir stock. Because a man cm take the fleece? off 150 merin es m v day, it doe a not follow that, he is fit to tiickle lonawools, for the two antotully di'tinct brunches of the shearing art. Holtiinu those facts m view, then, we feel assured that a large number of men will come forward and compete for the p-izes, as it will be a valuable advertisement to them m the future.