THE NIGHT SESSION.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 1705, 5 August 1875, Page 3

THE NIGHT SESSION.

The Bouse resumed at 8.5 p.m. Private Bills. \ m. jonly business consisted of orders of } the day, which were mostly private bills, and the consideration of a number of them was

postponed through not having been printed earlier.

Regulation of Towns. The second reading of Pians of Towns Regulation Bill was moved by Mr. o'lSTeill, and created a considerable debate. The hon. gentleman pointed out at a considerable length the many benefits alike of a pecuniary and sanitary character such measures would confer upon the country, and concluded by saying the time was not far distant when the country would find to its cost the error made in not having passed such a bill sooner. As railways extended North and South, towns would spring into existence along every line, and without some measure to regulate the building and laying out of towns the Government would one day find that it would have to spend as much money in rectifying past errors in laying out towns as will have been spent upon the railways themselves. The hon. member referred to the widening of Princes-street as an illustration of what would be constantly taking place. Several members spoke to tbe Bill, but, while agreeing entirely with its principle and upporting the second reading, they said its was a very imperfect measure, and would require a deal of amendment.

The Minister of Public Works did not wish to oppose the second reading, as he agreed in a great measure with the principle of the Bill, but he could assure the lion, member who introduced the Bill that, in its present form, it was not worth the paper it was printed on, it was so unworkable and impracticable in many of its provisions. He trusted the Bill would not at present be pressed beyond second reading. Mr O'Neill expressed willingness to avail himself of the assistance of hon. members to amend the Bill and put it into a workable shape while incomplete. The Bill was then read a second time. The House adjourned at 10 p.m.