PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1035, 30 August 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, August 29. BILLS. The Native Land Act Amendment Bill was received from the House and read a first time. The third reading of the Taiaroa Land Bill was carried on the voices. EDUCATION REPORT. A motion of the Hon Colonel Brett, that the evidence taken by the Education Committee be printed, was, after a long discussion, carried. ! SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ ELECTION BILL. This Bill was thrown out on a division by the casting vote of the Speaker. The Hon Mr Campbell voted against the Bill in error, but discovered his mistake too late. The Council adjourned from 5 to 7.30. EVENING SITTING. BILLS. The Westland High School Bill and the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bills were passed through Committee, the retrospective clause being struck out of the latter. The Land Act 1882 Amendment Bill was received from the House and read a first time. The Thermal Springs Act Amendment Bill, the Kailway Construction and Land Act Amendment Bill, and the Auckland Hospital Reserves Bill were read a second time. The Auckland Harbor Act Amendment Bill, the Land Transfer Act 1870 Amendment Bill, the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Bill, the Kawhia Township Sale Bill, the Volunteers Act Amendment Bill, the Licensing Act (No. 2) Bill, and the Charitable Gift Duties Exemption Bill were all read a third time. The Council rose at 10.30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, August 29. The House met at 2 30. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, Ministers said: —That there was no occasion for Brogdens appearing to give evidence in support of their claims now under investigation, as the enquiry was a departmental one—That in future marine departmental reports of improvements effected for the protection of vessels in the ports of the colony would, if practicable, be issued in connection with the wreck chart.—That the bonus of LSOO for fifty tons of colonially manufactured cheese would be renewed, and the question of renewing the bonus for petroleum would be considered. —That most of the immigrants to be introduced at the Government expense were single women or nominated immigrants, who would not compete with unemployed artisans, etc., in the labor market.—That the Government did not think it advisable to open small contracts on railways so as to secure work for the unemployed, as these contracts might be taken up by others than the unemployed, and other provisions had been made fa men willing to work but who could not secure fwork, otherwise the Government would only offer wages below the regular scale. That without Parliamentary sanction the vote for immigration could not be diverted si as to open public works and give work for the unemployed in Christchurch, but inquiries would be made to see what could be done in regard to those people, if any necessity existed. That the AgentGeneral had a right to make representation to the British Government as to this colony being in favor of the Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill.—That if, after inquiry, it was found advisable, a railway siding would be made between Rangitata and Orari. —The Government hoped the legislation now before Parliament would give effect to the report of the Committee on the alleged evasion of the Land Act by refusing the licenses, and at a later date Parliament would be informed whether or not a Royal Commission would be appointed. That Southern members’ wives were entitled to free passages to and from Wellington at sessional time, the same as was conceded to Northern members. —That the Government would favorably consider the advisability of reducing railway fares on suburban lines, and i new tariff would be in force shortly. In quiries were now being made as to acquir ing the l<nd required to increase accom modation at Green Island railway siding, —That the propriety of holding an Exhf bition in London of Australian product! in 1885 was under consideration. Tha the coat of administering the Contagion Diseases Act in Auckland was borne b] raiepayers, and by the colony in Christ church. The Act was brought into opera tion at the latter place under the old pro ▼incial arrangements, and the expensi was very slight, whereas in Aucklanc separate accommodation had to be pro vided.—That the Government had n< intention of increasing the capitation fo: the country volunteer corps from LI t( L2, and they would not increase th< allowance of ammunition to cadet corps, —That whether an additional Ministei was appointed or not during the recess, arrangements would be made for placing the agricultural interest under specif ministerial supervision by the creation ol an Agricultural Department. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time : —lnspection ol Machinery Extension (Mr Dick) ; Public Works Act, 1882, Amendment ; District Railwajs Act, 1878, Amendment ; Railways Improved Land (Mr Johnston): Crown and Native Lands Rating Act, 1882, Amendment, to amend the Property Assessment Act, 1879 ; The Industrial Societies (Major Atkinson). BILLS DISCHARGED. The Hon Major Atkinson moved “ That the following Bills be discharged from the Order Paper, which was agreed to :—Settled Lands, Auctioneers, Fisheries, Legislative Officers’ Salaries, Local Courts, Savings Bank, Fire and Marine Insurance Companies, River Board Bill, Municipal Corporations, Impounding ard Married Women’s Property. The Hon Major Atkinson said tomorrow or next day he would formally announce the other Bills he proposed to drop, MISCELLANEOUS BILLS. The following Bills were read a second time and ordered for immediate committal :—Otago Harbor Board, Town Districts Amendment, Law Practitioners Act Amendment, Destitute Persons Act Amendment, Otago Dock, Road Boards Act Amendment. Interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. NATIVE RESERVES BILL. The motion for the committal of the Native Reserves Bill was carried. BANKRUPTCY SILL. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Bankruptcy Bill were considered in Committee. The amendments made in clauses 30, 41, 44, 231, 232, were disagreed to. The other amendments were agreed to, OTAGO HARBOR BOARD BILL. This Bill was considered in Committee, and afier amendments had been made, was reported. I VARIOUS BILLS, The following Bills were passed through Committee, with slight amendments : Town District Amendment, Law Practitioners Act 1882 Amendment Bill. Clause 2, subsection 2, altesing date of elections frota May to June, was struck out on a division of 21 to 37. The first

r 4 week in May was inserted. Several other amendments were made, and the Bill re* ported. On the Native Reserves Bill in Committee a clause desired by Mr Taiaroa, exempting native owners from paying compensation for improvements, was ad led, and the remainder, of the Bill was agreed to. In Committee on the Wanganui Bridge Bill, Mr Watt moved to reduce the annual contribution to be paid by the Borough Council from L 230 t • LIOO a year. Lost on a division by 25 to 7. Mr \vatt then moved to reduce the time for which it 'was payable from 21 years to 7 years. Lost on the voices, and the Bill was reported with slight amendments, read a third time and passed; as were also the Town Districts Amendment Bill, Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill, Destitute Persona Relief Act Amendment Bill, and Native Reserves Bill. BANKRUPTCY BILL. Messrs Conolly, Peacock and DeLautour were appointed to draw up reasons disagreeing to the Bankruptcy amendments. The House rose at 2.25.