PARLIAMENTARY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 688, 14 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, July 13. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions it was stated : The Government would consider a measure in the recess providing for the administration of hospital and charitable institutions, and would introduce it next session, as there was no hope of passing it this session.—The. Government believed they would be prepared to state, within a few days, their proposition as to the English mail service on the expiry of the present contract. BILLS DEALT WITH. The Railway Construction and Land Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed : the Justices of the Peace Bill was passed through Committee. PENSIONS BILL. The Hon. Mr Mantell spoke against the Pensions Bill, and the Hon. Mr Reynolds having replied, the Bill was thiownout by a majority of one. For the Bill—Hons. Bailie, Brett, Frasdh, Hart, Henderson, Lahmann, M‘Lean, Pharazyn, Reynolds, Scotland, Whitaker, Whitmore, Wilson. Against—Hons. P. A. Buckley, Dignan, Holmes, G. N. Johnston, Mantell, 'Martin, Menzies, Miller, Ngatata, Nurse, Peacock, Richmond, Stevens, Williams. MISCELLANEOUS. The Dog Registration Act Amendment Bill passed through committee ; the Affirmations in Lieu of Oaths Bill was received from the Lower House and read a first time ; the Auckland College Grammar School was read a second time. The Council rose at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, July 13. The House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions it was stated that the Government were considering the propriety of relaxing, or even soon repealing, the Arms Act, but until that was relaxed or repealed they could not give greater facilities in one district than in another. To allow Southern districts to have free trade of sporting arms and ammunition would be the same as allowing it in the whole colony. The time had not yet quite come for this.—The Government were considering the question of rearranging passenger rates, and would then consider the issuing of return tickets on free days at single fare on the Auckland lines.—The*whole question of the defence of the ports of the colony was under seri-’ ous consideration of the Government. The sum of L 44,000 already voted had, been expended, with the exception of about L 9,000. The Government had not received plans for batteries from Colonel Scratchley, and had been greatly disappointed at that officer having been unable to carry out his intention of visiting the colony again to re-organise the defence force and perfect his plans of defence. It was owing to this that the late Volunteer Board was appointed. Govenment hoped to be able to make a statement to the House on the subject of defence.—The Government was not certain whether arrangements could be made for the Resident Magistrate to hold fortnightly sittings of his court at South Rakaia, but it might be possible to get three Justices of the Peace to sit once a month there.—The Government had noticed the case of poisoning reported from Christchurch through uking tinned meats. They would cause the widest possible circulation to be given to the circular from the French Government on the danger arising from the use of solder in such tins, and would cause samples of tinned meats to be analysed.— The suspension bridge at Rakaia Gorge would bo finished in three months. FIRST READINGS. The Boiough of Hamilton Boundaries Bill, Municipal Corporation Act Amendment Bill were read a first time. ELECTION PETITION COMMITTEE. Mr Sheehan moved—“ That the Select Committee appointed to report on certain cases tried before Election Petitions Courts Consist of the Hon. Mr Hick, Capt. Morris, Messrs Turnbull, Wynn Williams, Fitz Gerald, Weston, Oonolly, Shrimski, Macandrew, and the mover. Three to be a quorom, and to'report in three days.”—Agreed to. OTAGO HARBOR BOARD. The Otago Harbor Board Further Empowering Bill was further considered in Committee. • Mr Wright opposed any further expenditure on the upper harbor. * On the motion to fix the amount to be borrowed at L 200,000, the Committee" divided—Ay§s, 59; noes, 14. Further consideration of the measure was interrupted by the dinner hour. THE FENCING ACT. Mr Smith moved the second reading of the Fencing Act Amendment Bill, explaining that its object was to enable settlers in the bush country to clear a greater width on each side of their fences than was at present allowed. Mr Stevens supported, and Messrs Beetham, Pyke, W. C. Buchanan, Hursthouse, and Bryce opposed the Bill. The Bill was read a second time. HAWKERS AND PEDLARS BILL, Mr M. W. Green moved the second, reading of the Hawkers and Pedlars Bill. Mr Bracken supported the Bill, and Messrs Levestam, Pyke, Fish, Duncan, De Lautour, H. Thomson, and Colonel Trimble opposed the measure, which was thrown out by 56 to 16. GOLD DUTIES ABOLITION BILL. Mr Seddon’s motion to go into committee on the Gold Duties Abolition Bill was negatived by 40 to 34. STRB ETS AND ROADS BILL. This Bill passed through committee with amendments. NATIVE COMMITTER EMPOWERING BILL. Mr Tomoana moved the second reading of the Native Committees Empowering Bill, and said he did so at the earnest solicitation of many of the Maori people. Messrs Kelly, I. Wilson, Watt, Pearson, Trimble, Hurst, Buchanan, Bryce, opposed the Bill, and Messrs Turnbull, Moss, Sheehan, Stewart, Weston, Tawhai, Taiaroa. Messrs Macandrew, Buchanan, Montgomery, Harris, Smith, Swanson, Dodion, and Green supported the Bill.

The House divided—Ayes, 38 ; noes, 24. The House adjourned at 1.10.