GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1046, 3 November 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] [PEE PBEBS AGENCY.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Fbidat, November 3. A Bill for setting at rest doubts on laws relating to wills and other testamentary instruments affecting personal estate executed by persons in the colony, was read a first time. The Lyttelton Harbor Board Land Bill was read a third time. The other business was of a formal haracter, and at 4.30 p.m. the Council adoumed till the usual time on Tuesday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, November 2. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Sir R. DoTTGLAS, without notice, asked if the telegram were true that the G-overnor had refused the use of the Government House grounds in Auckland for an Indian Famine fete. Mr Laenach said the telegram was not accurate. The papers would be laid on the table. PRIVILEGE, The privilege debate was resumed. Mr Travers said that, to enable the House to consider (lie matter impartially, it had been suggested that a Committee of Privilege ■presided over bv the Speaker, should bo appointed to search for precedents and report to the House. He moved the appointment of a Committee consisting of Sir W. Fitzherhert, Messrs Stafford, stout, Travers, Rollcston, oisbornp, Moorhouse, V 7 ’akefield, Reader Wpod, Harper, Eallance, Johnston, Roes, O’Borke, and Montgomery, to report on Monday. In this way the subject need not Vo dijcuioed cow, %cd could be cocfidered by

the Committee in a judicial manner without any party feeling. Mr Stout, while agreeing with the appointment of a committee, thought the resolution should affirm that the privilege of the House had been invaded, otherwise it looked as if there was some doubt on the subject. They had nothing about which to search for precedents unless the privilege had been invaded. The motion was agreed to. ADJOURNMENT. Sir G. Grey moved that the House do now adjourn. Major Atkinson thought that, although a very important question, this matter of privilege was not one which at the present period of the session should interrupt the other important questions before the House. He would not, however, press his objection if the House really desired to adjourn. He felt it his duty, however, to ask the opinion of the House. Mr Travers pointed out that the question was one affecting the whole relations between itself and the Governor, and therefore ordinary business should not be proceeded with till it was settled. The time between this and Monday was not too long to allow the committee fairly to consider the question and agree to a report, which would form a most important precedent. He believed that time would be saved by at once agreeing to adjourn. Mr Sutton opposed adjournment, Mr Fox supported adjournment, hoping a distinct understanding would be come to that the committee should go to work at once, so that business might be proceeded with on Monday. Messrs Pyke, Barff, and Reader Wood supported the adjournment. The adjournment was agreed to, and the House rose at 3.15 p.m.