PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 669, 22 June 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, June 21. BU.LS. The Trades MarJra Bill and the Wai-

kato Native Reserves Bill were read a first time, and the Friendly Sooietiia Bill a third time. The Auckland Harh t Board Bill (Mr Williamson) was read a second time, without debate. RETURNS. A return was ordered of the number of sheep, amount of sheep assessment, amount of fines under the Sheep Act, and the number of sheep inspectors and their salaries for the past year. WEST COAST PEACE PRESERVATION BIEL. The debate on the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill was resumed. Ultimately the second reading was carried, on a division, by 26 votes to 3. INDEMNITY BILL. The second reading of the Indemnity Bill was then carried without discussion, and the House rose at a quarter to five. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, June 21. The House met at 2.30. THE people’s JOSEPH. Mr Ivess, the newly-elected member for Wakanui, was introduced by Mr Montgomery and Mr White, and took his seat. A GOOD IDEA. Mr O’Oallaghan gave notice that he would ask if facilities for railway travelling would be given on Wednesdays, the same as on Saturdays, by means of the issue of return tickets. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions it was stated ■ Government were aware that Mr J. Forsyth, of the Public Works Department, Otago, had invented a method of destroying rabbits, for which great merits were claimed. Mr Forsyth would be transferred to the Rabbit Department for two months, and afforded every facility for thoroughly testing the value of his invention.—Government did not intend to provide for members going before their constituents on taking office. new bills. . . ' The following Bills were introduced and read a first time:— Bluff Harbor Waterworks (Mr Joyce); Education Districts Bill (Mr Dick). NEW ZEALAND “UNCLES.” Following motion carried : —(Mr Tole) Return of licensed pawnbrokers in the colony. VISIT TO THE EXHIBITION. Mr Shrimski moved that the adjournment of the House for the purpose of visiting Christchurch Exhibition be from Friday, the 30th June, to Wednesday, the sth July. The Hon. Major Atkinson moved as an amendment the addition of the words “and Wednesday evening be devoted to Government business.” Sir George Grey- objected to the Government depriving private members of one of their days. He suggested that they should fix a sitting for Monday in lieu of the day that would be lost. The House divided on the amendment. Ayes, 52 ; noes, 20. After further discussion, Mr Tole moved, as a further amendment —“ That the House sit on Monday, 10th July, at 7.30 p.m., for the purpose of taking up private members’ business.”

Mr Seddon protested against the whole arrangement, stating that the House and country had been made to dance to the tune of two mere adventurers, Messrs Twopenny and Joubert, and he would be no party to it. The amendment was carried on the voices, and the motion as amended was agreed to.

BORROWING. Mr Barron moved —“ That any proposal for the increase of the public debt of the colony by further borrowing should be submitted to electors, and receive the approval of three-fifths .of their number before being finally sanctioned by the Legislature.” After a long discussion the motion was put and negatived on a division. Ayes, 25 ; noes, 44. TECHNICAL EDUCATION. Mr Hutchison moved that the House resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider an address to the Governor, praying he will recommend for appropriation this year the sum of LI,OOO, to be divided among the Education Boards of the colony, for the purpose of encouraging technical education by means of night schools or otherwise, and for the establishment and encouragement of female classes for sewing and cookery. Put and carried on the voices. THE ELECTRIC LIGHT. It was resolved that, during the recess, the Government should cause enquiries to be made as to whether the Parliamentary buildings could, with advantage, be lighted with electricity. GOLD DUTY ABOLITION BILL. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Gold Duties Abolition BilL He argued at some length that the miners were a most desirable class of colonists.. The duty represented at least per cant, upon their moneys. If every other class of the community was similarly heavily weighted they could dispense altogether with the Customs duties. After a long discussion the motion was carried on the voices. EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES. The second reading of the Employment of Females Act Amendment Bill was carried. ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES. Mr Steward moved the second reading of the School Committees Election Bill. Mr Peacock and Mr Hutchison supported the Bill. Mr Munro defended the cumulative vote, but otherwise supported the Bill. Mr Connolly and Mr Watt supported the Bill as printed. The Hon. Mr Dick approved of the provisions of the Bill as to the date for election. He agreed that the cumulative vote was objectionable, and ought to bo abolished. He would like to have seen the absence from three consecutive meetings declared a disqualification. He would support the BUI, but asked that it should be adjourned, to enable members to give their opinions on its provisions. Mr Rutherford, Mr Fulton, Mr Smith, Mr William Green, and Mr Dodson supported the Bill. The motion was put, and carried on the voices. The House rose at 12. 50.