The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 231, 4 October 1878, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4.

In the Legislative Council on Tuesday last, some light was thrown on the action intended to be taken by Government with regard to the distribution of Charitable Aid and the management of Hospitals. In reply to the Hon. J. Hall, Colonel Whitmore stated that the Government did not propose to introduce any Bill to deal with the subject of Charitable Aid institutions this session. Government would be prepared to provide for one-half the cost of Charitable Aid and Hospitals in each locality, but the other half must be paid in some way or other by local bodies, and further remarked that, though the subject was a difficult one to deal with, the existing system had been found to be more or less successful in the past- and therefore did not need reformation at present; a statement which must have been received with some surprise, as it has, we think, been generally the impression that these matters were somewhat foremost in needing further legislation and reform. In the Lower House the debate on the second reading of the Judicial Commission Bill has occupied the attention of hon. members, and has been a subject causing keen argument and discussion. The main points of the debate are the power and position of the Judges. Messrs Bowen and Gisborne spoke strongly against interference with the independent action of the Judges, and deprecated any attempt to lower their status, while Messrs Rees, Moss, Tole, and the Premier took the opposite side, and contended that the power which has from centuries past been tacitly allowed to be associated with the position of Judge should be curtailed, instances being cited of gross malpractice and abuse resulting therefrom. On a division being taken, the Bill was lost by 39 to 27. In speaking on the subject Mr Moss said that the Judges bad established a sort of reign of terror even over the Press, which was afraid to touch on a subject or case that was subfadice lest the publishers should be punished for contempt of Court, and imprisoned at the will of the Judge without any power of appeal. The revelations that the discussion of the question have brought to light are, if true, sufficient to cause regret that the second reading has been negatived, and that the Bill has not become law. The result of the deliberations of the Waste Lands Committee on a motion of Mr Ormond's, which was introduced some time ago, with regard to land sold on deferred payments prior to the passing of the Land Act last year, viz., that it should be put on the same footing as land sold under that Act, in one third being devoted to roads, &c, in the district, is, that the committee endorse the resolution, and recommend the Government to give effect to the same. A Bill bearing out the principle of Mr Ormond's motion is being drafted, and will shortly be introduced. ,