GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 767, 29 September 1900, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2,30 p.m. MONDAY SITTINGS. The Council resolved to sit on Monday. LOOAL BODIES LOANS. The Local Bodies Loans Act Amendment Bill was passed through committee with the addition of a clause providing that in the case of a district being divided into ridings or subdivisions, nothing shall prevent the paymeut out of any separate rate levied in any such riding of the charges on any loan raised within such riding. INDICTABLE OFFENCES AMENDMENT BILL. The Indictable Offences Summary Jurisdiction Amendment Bill was considered in Committee, and clauses were added providing that at the close of a preliminary hearing of a charge for an offence not punishable by death, the accused may plead guilty and be committed to the Supreme Court for sentence, and shall be brought before a judge for sentence in open court as soon as possible, and bail may be granted-as in commitment for trial. Power under these clauses is only given to a court of which a Stipendiary Magistrate is a member, and no accused may withdraw a plea of guilty so given. INSPECTION OK MACHINERY BILL. The luspsction of Machinery Act Amendment Bill was passed through committee, machinery worked by gas being deleted from the definition of machinery. POST- OFFICE RILL. The Post-office Bill after debate passed the second reading. OLD AGE PENSIONS BILL. The Old Age Pensions Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. The Council adjourned at 5 till 7.30. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. PETITIONS. A number of petitions were presented in favour of vesting the Mount Cook site in the Victoria College Council as a site for a University. PACIFIC CABLE BILL. The Pacific Cable Authorisation Act Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time. Mr Ward explained that the Bill merely authorised the payment of oneuinth of the cost of the cable ou the contract account instead of on the amount named in the Act—one million eight hun-, dred thousand. . QUESTIONS. Replying to questions. Ministers said that the Government fully recognised the importance of the colony being represented at the foundation of the Australian Commonwealth, as marking ono of the greatest epochs in the history of the Empire and the Australian Commonwealth, and as soon as a decision was come to on the subject the announcement would he made to the House. As to amending the law to enable Crown tenants to obtain reasonable advances on their improvements without the delays to which they arc now subjected, Mr Ward said if it was a mere defect in the law on the subject, he would endeavour, by legislation, next session to effect an alteration.

In answer to a question by Mr Graham, who asked if the event of the inability of the Victoria College Council to obtain a site for the University buildings in Wellington, the Government would take steps to procure a site in Nelson, Mr Seddon said an attempt had been made to treat the proposal as not being seriously made. The Government had done all it could to find a site that would meet with the approval of the Council. The Government required Mount Cook for defence purposes and would not give that. If the Council would not accept one of the sites offered, it would set up a commission to enquire into a site elsewhere than Wellington. That'a Land Bill would be introduced in a few days and that provision would be made exempting Crown tenants from paying rent half-yearly in advance, who have effected improvements to the value of 20 per cent. Mr Collins moved the adjournment of the House, expressing dissatisfaction with the answer given by the Premier to the question by whose authority certain extracts of the Premier's speech in Hansard reflecting upon him hud been distributed in Clirifitchui'oh, The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p in. adjournment. MAORI COUNCILS BILL. The Maori Councils Bill was lead a first time. LOED ROBERTS' VISIT A letter was read from Lord Roberts in leply to the invitation sett by Parliament to visit New Zealand. He returned thanks for the invitation, and stated that if opportunity offered Lady Roberts and himself would be happy to take advantage of the invitation. rOBLTC HEALTH BILL. The amendments made by the. Council in the Public Health Bill were disagreed with, and managers have been appointed to confer with the Council. COOK ISLANDS. Mr Seddon moved a resolution in favour of the annexation of the Cook Islands. Capt. Russell said that until he had more information on the subject he could not support it. The motion was put and carried by 37 ro 4. The Premier left singing the National Anthem, winding up with three cheers. The House roso at 2.40 a.m.