THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 14, 2 August 1873, Page 9

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

July 22 to 29. •' In the House of Representatives, Mr Bathgate moved the second reading of the District Courts Act Amendment Bill. He explained •that the Bill was intended to extend the equity {jurisdiction of -the District Courts to L3OO, and thus cheapen (litigation.. After discussion -the second reading was agreed to. The Gold Mining Bill was read a second time, as also was the Canterbury Waste Lands Bill. The Bill for constituting Native Councils ond defining their functions provides that the Bill be permissive, at the option of a majority of the natives whose title to land is .not extinguished. The Councils are to have power to inquire into petitions regarding land disputes, and ■to facilitate the amicable settlement and adjudication of such cases. Th«y are to be recognisable by the Native Lands Court. The Councils are -to report to the Government relative to the observance of Native rights and customs. The Council may frame regulations for health, the cleaning of houses, nuisances, drunkenness, public property, the prevention of fires, dogs, .cattle branding, cattle trespass, boundary fences regulations, and may impose penalties. When the Act is brought into operation in Native districts, the Provincial Ordinances are to, cease to be in operation. f~ On a motion asking for leave of absence for a member for three weeks >being made, Mr Buckland contended that the time was too long, and would virtually disfranchise his constituency Mr Fitzhecbert suggested that the sessions of Provincial Councils should be restricted to the recess. <In the Legislative Council, Mr Waterhouse, in moving the appointment of a Select Committee to report upon the reconstruction of the Council, said the Council could not offer resistance to popular pressure, and could not maintain itself against the elected body. He was in favor of an elective Chamber, which should bear a resemblance to the United States Senate. After further discussion, the motion •was postponed. In the House of Representatives, Mr Fox asked the Government whether, in reponse to petitions, the Government intended to introduce a measure amending the Licensing Bill. Mr Vogel replied that Government were not able to give any definite promise upon the subject raised by Mr Fox, but they would .consider the question during the recess and draft a Bill. Mr Richardson promised to obtain a return of the amount paid •to owners of private property for land taken for railway purposes. In reply to a question by Mr O'Neill, Mr Vogel said that the despatches received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies were unfavorable to the establishment of a New Zealand Mint. In reply to Mr Bradshaw, Mr Vogel said the Government did not intend to introduce a measure this session authorising mining for gold .find Bilver on private property. They desired <to watch the operation .of Victorian legislation on the subject. In regard to the Volunteer Land Scrip Repeal Bill it was said that in the Province of Aucklund the persons who bought up the scrip •bought up blocks of land at auction at half-a-crown an acre. Mr Gillies said he did not appear as the leader of the Opposition, as there was no organised Opposition in existence. A letter from Mr Finnimore, formerly Government Auctioneer at SVanganui, to Mr C. E. Haughton, Under-Secretary for Immigration, was read. Mr Finnimore proposed that laud should be sold to him at the upset price and then sold by auction, and the net profits divided between Mr Haughton and himself. He offered to deposit JBIOOO, but the transaction was to be strictly private and confidential. JtCe said that if Mr Haughton joined him, a large sum would be made. The letter was headed " private and confidential," and signed " Finni•more." Mr 'Haughton replied, stating that he could not regard the fetter as confidential, and therefore handed it to tlie Native Minister. The latter thereupon dispensed with Mr Fiunimore's services. i The Imprest Supply Bill for £250,000 was passed through all its .fitegeß. Mr Vogel moved the second reading of the Provincial Councils Powers Bill. He said the Bill was intended to grant the Councils .power to constitute courts of judicature and prescribe their procedure, paying power to deal with scab disease, the sole of liquors, the 6alw and impounding of cattle, thistles, the making and repairing of highways, levying aDd recovering rates, and boundary fences. After discussion, the Bill passed its second reading. The House agreed to the production of a return of the travelling allowances to Ministers, and the allowances to the Governor during the five years ending March, 1873. f Mr Fox moved the second reading of the National Bank of New .Zealand (Limited) Bill. — Sir J. Cracroft Wilson presented a Petition from the Bank of Now Zealand, against, the name of the Bank. — Mr. Bathgate said the Government would propose some amendments in Committee ; particularly one providing that a list of the shareholders be deposited. — Mr T. L. Shepherd suggested the publication of «he names of the depositors not claiming their interest or principal within -three years. — The Bill was read a Becond time. Mr Vogel made his Financial Statement on Tuesday evening, showing the affairs of the Colony to be in a very prosperous state.