LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 1, 26 September 1907, Page 6

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

DOMINION DAY. , THE HOLIDAY QUESTION. \ , "When the Council met yesterday afternoon, ; after • preliminary formalities, the'--Hon.; T. Kelly- moved That, in the opinion of the Council, it is desirable_ that the Government takeinto consideration the ■ report of a Joint Committee >of both' Houses, dated September 11, 1894, with the view of determining whether it is practicable that Dominion Day be observed on the same day as the annithat the anniversary of the foundacolony, and thus; avoid the establishment of an additional holiday." The Committee of 1894 recommended that the anniversary -of the foundation of the colony should be'celebrated as a general public holiday, and that the date should bo January 30, in accordance : with the historical fact, this being the date of' Qaptain Hobson's proclamation at Kororaroka in 1840. • ■ The Attorney-General (Hon. Dr. FiricUay) said he had conferred with the Premier on' this matter, and tho Government desired to so arrange matters that those holidays, which all felt' should bo preserved, might bo duly, kept, without' increasing' the number of annual public holidays.' Tho Government hoped to introduce legislation on f the subject. this • session. Members wore aware that, in somo parts of. Australia, all. holidays were observed on Mondays, but that plan might hot perhaps be'deemed satisfactory in this country. The Government -had considered the suggestion to combine tho observance of the- anniversary of the colony with Dominion Day, but did not think th'at the two days would lend themselves to a joint celebration. As the Governjment was already considering the whole' question, he suggested that Mr. Kelly should withdraw his motion. " Tho Hon. T. Kelly consented to this course. The' Hon. W. Beechan gave notice to move in favour of the erection by tho Government of a statuo of Captain -William Hobson at Auckland.". FIRE 3RICADES BILL. Tlio Fire Brigades Act Amendment Bill (Hon. Dr. Fimllay) was. read-a first time. TARIFF BILL. Tho amendments in tho Tariff Bill,' as agreed to in tho House on the vious night, v/ero received and passed l by the Council. OTAKI AND PORI'RUA TRUST BILL. Tlio Otaki and Porirua Trust Empowering Bill was received from the House of Representatives and read a first time. '

WAITARA HARBOUR BILL. The Hon. C. Louisson moved the second reading of Mr. Jenning's Waifc. tara Harbour District and Empower- ' ing Bill, which is intended to constitute the. Waitara Harbour District out of the area now included in the New Plymouth Harbour Board, and-to comer certain powers on tho Waitara Harbour Board. Tie Hon. 0. Samuel suggested that tho Council should pause before penuictiii?: the Waitara Harbour id, which was already heavily bnvd' ned with debt, to undertake the buii iir. I of a largo bridge for the benefit o!' the ratepayers and bur-gds.M-.-i of the Borough of- "Waitara.

Ho.said that .tlioro.wfls,, also. a move* .meiit at 'jOpinaiko. to' form a now harbour" district, "and yet both Waitara and Opuliako wero'r'eprcsentcd on tho New .Plymouth Harbour Board.' .Ho declared,.that tho Bill, if passed, Wonld result in fho province or.Tarariaki being iinablo to coniploto its harbour'works' New Plyiliotith. • The dcbato'.was adjourned aftor further discussion, and-at-9.40 p.m. tho Couucil adjourned until Friday aftornoon. ■ ~