PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 983, 25 November 1910, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

THE COUNCIL

STATE BANKING AND CURRENCY. When tho Legislative Council met at 2.30 yesterday afternoon the Stato Bank nnd Paper Currency Committee presented its report (which is published in another } column), with a recommendation that it J bo referred to tho Government for con- 'j sideration. t LEGISLATURE AMENDMENT. ' j The Legislature Amendment Bill was received troiu tho Houso of Representatives, and was read a first time. Other Messages received from the House were tho amendment's made by the Governor { in the Harbours Bill, Taieri Land ] Drainage Bill, and Railways Authorisa- 1 tion Bill. The amendments were agreed to. • , j CROWN SUITS. 3 .The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the 1 secoud reading of tho Crown Suits Bill. The Hon. J. B. CALLAN (Otago) said he took exception to tho invidious distinction which was still being drawn between the State and private employees. He considered that a man working for tho Government should have precisely tho I same rights of recovering damages in tho case of accident as a man who worked for a privato company or employer. In the present state of affairs tho former ' could only claim up to .£SOO, whilst the latter could sue for any amount. The Hon. C. M. LUKE (Wellington) expressed doubt as to whether the Bill went far enough to meet the case of a 1 farmer whoso crops or other propcrty were destroyed by firo resulting from sparks from a railway engine. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, after further discussion, said that it would bo open to argument whether the Crown would bo liable in every proper case of . injury where a private person would be liable under tho same. circumstances. This was as far, as wo could go. The motion was agreed to, and the Bill was subsequently pat through all stages and passed. CENSUS AND STATISTICS. Speaking on the second reading'of, the Census and Statistics- Bill, The Hon. W. C. F. CARNCROSS (Taranaki) urged that tho interval of five years between one census and another was too short. He thought the period should bo increased to ten years. The Hon. J. ANSTEY said the collection of agricultural statistics should bo placed on a better basis. In Committee an amendment was mado at, tho instance of Mr. Anstey giving tho Department discretionary power as to tho timo at which agricultural statistics shall be taken. He did not consider it wiso to, bind tho officers down to the month of February. ■ Tho Bill was reported with amendments and was read a third timo and passed. 1 WORKERS' DWELLINGS. The. ATTORNEY-GENERAL, ,in movirig the second reading of. tho Workers' Dwellings Bill, said the aim of the country should be to enable all workers who earned less .than £200 a year to get their, own homes as. cheaply as possible. The Hon. J. BARR (Canterbury), whilst commending the Bill, said ho looked forward to the time when the only landlord would bo tho State, which would, assist every man to procure a house for himself. He was glad- to think this was tlie line upon which the Government :was' going. The Bill was put through its Committee stage, and reported without amendment, V POUKAWA RESERVE. The Pouliawa Nativo Reserves Amendment Bill was read a second! tiriio and was reported from Committeo without amendment. T'he Bill was. later read, a third time and passed.. . . AUCTIONEERS AMENDMENT BILL. Tlie Auctioneers' Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee.. An amendment was moved by the Hon. C. M. Luke fti strike out the provision as to lots being sold to the highest bidder. The amendment was rejected by 13 to 3. The Bill was reported without' amendment; and was put through its final stages and passed. SCENERY PRESERVATION. The Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill was put through all its stages without amendment and passed. SLAUGHTERING AND INSPECTION. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of tho Slaughtering and Inspection Amendment Bill. ■■■_ Tho Hon. C. M. LUKE (Wellington) said he was not suro that the Bill went far enough in regard to inspection of meat consumed within the Dominion. Pork particularly required a strict inspection. The Hon. J. E. JENKINSON (Wellington) did not think there was . any point on which the Government could be so rightly condemned as in regard to the lack of inspection of pork sent into the cities. For ' their neglect in this matter ' they should be censured. They had pandered to tho wishes of the farmer. He hoped an amendment would be made in Committee to meet this objection.. The Hon. Dr. COLLINS (Wellington) ' thought there was need for inspection of pork. The process of cooking tho meat certainly lessened the danger from infected pork, but did not do away with it altogether. The Bill was put through its Committee stage without amendment, .and was later read a third time and passed. EDUCATION RESERVES. The Education Reserves Amendment Bill 'was further considered in Committee. The following new classes were added on the motion of tho Attorney-General On the expiry of any lease granted by ~ any school commissioners, and existing at the commencement of this Act', .the Land Board may grant tho former lessee a new lease of tho same land or of any part thereof under tho provisions of the Public Bodies' Leases Act, 1908, for a period not exceeding twenty-one years, with a' perpetual right of renewal for periods not exceeding twenty-one years, . but the rent for the first term of' such i lease , shall be fixed by valuation or arbitration in such manner as tho Land : Board determines. All funds vested in i any school commissioners at the coms mencement of this Act, and all mortgages . and other investments representing the : same, are hereby vested in the Public ■ Trustee, who shall hold and administer . the ■ same on tho same trusts on which ' they'were held and administered by the . school commissioners. i Tho revenues derived- from any such , fund or the investments thereof shall [ (after deducting such sum for the adi ministration of that fund as is prescribed) from time to time bo paid by the Public Trustee into tho separate account for tho appropriate district, and shall bo i dealt with by the Minister fori Finance in > pursuance of that section and in accord- ■ auce with the trusts affecting tho said ; revenues. Save as mentioned in this section, all i assets and liabilities of any school commissioners, shall becomo assets and liabili- ■ ties of tho Crown. Several minor amendments wero also ! made, and the Bill was reported with • amendments. It was subsequently read ; a third timo and passed. I EDUCATION AMENDMENT, [ In Committee on the' Education Amendh incnt Bill, Tho Hon.. J. BARR (Canterbury) took - strong exception to some of tho provisions ' of Clause 18, which provides that Educaj. tion Boards may make regulations requiring attendance at continuation and tecli- " nical classes. If tho clauso was put into force it would bo an injustice tn tho ' young people of the Dominion. He doubted if it would ever be put into force, but ; , it would have boon better if it had been left nut. Ho moved to report progress to i. enable further consideration to bo given s to tho clauso by redrafting it. The moo tion to .report progress was' lost. The a only amendment made in addition to those suggested by the Committeo • to ' yhicli .the. Bill .was referred, was ono

suggested by tho Hon. J. .1!. Sinclair, altering the term of "technical high school" t to "technical day school." 1 " The Bill was reported with amend- 2 ments and passed through its final stages, f The Council adjourned at 10.10 p.m. t , . t THE HOUSE. j t NEW BILLS. 1 When the House of Representatives met yesterday Bills dealing with the registration and control of medical practitioners and tho registration of plumbers were introduced by Governor's Messages, These , are for circulation only. Governor's Alessages were iilso introduced dealing with tho Harbours Bill, and the Taieri Land 1 Drainage Bill. j DENTISTS BILL. ! Tho Hon. D. BTJDDO moved that the \ amendments made in- tho Dentists Bill ! by tho Legislative Council be disagreed ' with. It was decided to adopt that course, 1 and Messrs. Davey, Fraser, and tho Hon. ! D. Buddo were appointed to represent tho House at a conference with managers ' from tho Legislative Council. NATIVE RATING BILL. WILL IT HELP THE LOCAL BODIES? Tho Rating Amendment Bill was then further considered in Committee. On the motion of. Mr. Newman , (Manawatu), a clause was added to the effect that Native lands shall not be- exempted from special rates. Thero was some discussion on a clause providing that in certain cases a" person in actual occupation of idlo Native lands shall be deemed to be the occupier. Mr. HERRIES (Tauranga) said. that the clauso was evidently put in to get at someone. (Laughter.) Mr. WRIGHT (Wellington South) asked if a statement which had been mado to the effect that there was difficulty in collecting rates from Natives was a slander on the Natives. (Further laughter.) The Hon. A. NGA'TA: I don't think anybody likes paying rates. "A Disappointing Bill." At Clause 7, which deals with tho mode of compiling tho valuation .roll where land is owned or occupied by owners in common. Mr. MASSEY saitl the more bo thought over the measure the more ho felt tho local bodies would be greatly disappointed over tho difficulties which would hamper them in the collection of rates from "Native owners. To further criticism on the Bill, The Hon. A. KG ATA said that the chief object ot the Bill was to forceNative land into settlement. _ Mr. Massey: I admit that it is a step forward; anil I hope that it will be a success. At Clause 11- (owners to be severally liable for rates due), Mr. Newman (Manawatu) moved a clause to tlie effect that \\;hero the interests of various owners to a' property were not defined, tho Crown should be liable for the rates, which should then' be a charge on the property. The Hon. A. NGATA said lie could not accept the clause, and. at his instance it was ruled out of order on tbe ground'that it was an appropriation clause.. Mr. WRIGHT (Wellington South) contended that the v Natives should be held jointly as well as severally liable for rates due. Ho moved an amendment, in that direction. Mr. MACDONALD (Bay of Plenty) said that if the amendment were carried local bodies would find it more difficult to collect rates from Natives. _ TJie amendment was rejected on tho voices, j * . . ■ Another amendment by Mr. Newman '(Mauawntu) to the-effect that when rates are more than six months in arrears steps should bo taken to make them a charge against tho property was also defeated. Several New Clauses. Several new clauses were added, on tho motion of the Minister, as under:— ' "Lands and buildings used for the purposes of a public school, a secondary school, or technical scliool, and technical classes to be exempted from rating, and for tho purposes oL this exemption a residence provided byi an education board, for a teacher shall bo deemed to be used for tho purposes of a public school.. "The. power, to remit rates may be exercised in the case of rates on showgrounds, and in .the case of rates in respect of land held for the purposes of any outdoor sport and not for profit and gain.". On the motion of Mr. Hanan (Invercargill) it was decided that on the union of two or more boroughs the rating sustem in force in the borough having the larger population shall apply throughout tho combined borough. ■ Mr. WiLFORD (Hutt) moved a new clajiso to tho effect that assessment courts should consist/of a president and two assessors, ono to bo. appointed by tho Governor-in-Council and the other by the local authority, but the member appointed by tho local authority shall not L be a member of such authority. ''' The Hon. D. BUDDO said that the present system had not proved unsatisfactory. The clause was adopted on tho voices. Mr. WILFORD (Hutt)' then moved a new clause that a signature to a demand ■ for rates shall be deemed a sufficient Signature, although printed, type-written, lithographed, stamped, or produced by any other artificial means. Tho clause was accepted. Union of Boroughs. Another clause,' inserted on the motion of Mr. Wilford, was ns follows'"Where a local authority makes more than ono rate on tho basis of the. same rateable value, tho total amount of all such rates may be entered in tho rate-book, instead of cach such rate being separately entered." It was next proposed by Mr. Wilford that an additional charge of 10 per cent, shall be deemed added to all rates unpaid at the expiration of six months and 14 days from the demand, and shall bo payable and recoverable accordingly. . Mr. WITTY (Riccarton) contended that there was a universal demand for the amendment. Mr. MASSEY pointed' out that under tho present law the power to charge the additional 10 per cent, was optional, but under Mr. Wilford's clauso it would be ; mandatory. Mr. Wilford (Hutt) was allowed to alter his proposal to make the addition of the 10 per cent, optional. Tho clauso was agreed to, with a proviso to the effect that the additional 10 per cent, shall not be chargeable unless 1 public notification for at least one month is given. Mr. ELL (Christchurch South) pro- • .posed that when a district adopted the rating on unimproved system of rating, i all rates shall bo calculated on that basis. Mr. MASSEY said' that he, too, bei lieved in rating under one system, but i it should bo tho system of rating on tho ■ capital value. The proposal was rejected on tho voices, i No further amendments were. made to 1 tho Bill. ' PUBLIC HOLIDAYS BILL. " . . SOME AMENDMENTS. i In Committee on the Publio ■ Holidays ;. Bill, ! It was decided that the Bill should i come into operation on its passing in- • stead of on January 1, 1911. 1 Another amendment, made was to d'elete Empiro Day from the list of 1 liolidavs and provide that Empire Day • should" also bo held on tho Sovereign's ■ birthday. Strong objection was . taken to the pro- > posal. to always oslcbrate tho Sovereign's 1 birthdav'on a Monday. I Mr. RUSSELL (Avon) moved as an amendment that the Sovereign's birthday shall be deemed to bo on tho next Monday only when it falls on a Sunday. The amendment was adopted by 42 . votes to 28. Mr. M'LAREN (Wellington East) ; moved an amendment with reference to 5 the observance of Boxing Day. Tho clauso - relating to Christmas, Boxing Day, and - Now Year's Day .was then adopted in - the following form:—"When in any Act ) or award or industrial agreement rcfer- : ence is mado to Christmas Day or Now 1 Year's Day such reference shall when t those days fall ou a Sunday hereafter bo l deemed 'to bo to tlio next succeeding ■> Monday, and in that case any reference i to Boxing Day shall be deemed to bo - to the next succeeding Tuesday." 3 Clauso 5 (amending tho Shops and 3 Offices Act in reforeuce to the Sovereign's 3 birthday) was struck out, having becomo o unnecessary.

A motion by Mr. Dillon to aild St. 1 David s Day (March 1) to the list of t l>ank holidays was lost by 38 votes to i 22, and the schedule was adopted as c follows:—New Tear's Day, Good Friday, tlie day aftor-Good Friday, Easter Mon- : day, Cliriistmss Day, tlKulay after Christ- ; mas Day, Sovereign's Birthday Dominion 1 Day, Labour Day, March 17 (in cclebra- c tion of St. Patrick's Day), April 23 (in c celebration of St. George's Day and St. David's Day), November 30 (in oelebra- I tion of St. Andrew's Day). f MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL, ' The Municipal Corporations Bill was then further considered in Committee. Mr. MASSEY. drew attention to a peculiar position that had arisen in connection with tho Bill. .- Clause 3, as passed by the House, he said provided that a tenant in a city could only exercise the franchise where he lived. For instance, a tenant in Auckland City liv- ) irig in a suburb would be disfranchised 1 in so far as the city was concerned. 1 Hundreds 'of men, Mr. Massey pointed | out, would iu each centre ha disfran-, • chised in the cities, and some of these' were the most useful men" in civic gov-. ■! eminent. i Mr. WILFORD moved an amendment ] which provides that tenants and subtenants can register to voto in the city, although they live in the suburbs.' This was agreed to. Mr. MASSEY said this slip showed th-3 necessity for making haste slowly with such important Bills, even though it was the'end of the session. 'Important Proposals Dropped. The Bill was then re-cominitted to deal with a clause inserted on the motion of Mr. Wilford, and providing that the Government, in tho matter of new buildings, alterations, etc., should be subject to municipal by-laws. Mr. WILFORD (Hutt) said tho remits forwarded to the Government by the Municipal Conference had fallen on deaf ears. This year fifteen remits sent along had been accepted. He was now- in the position of having to give away on his clause in regard to the bringing of the Government under municipal by-laws, or lose the twenty odd clauses that had. been gained "He had coma to tho conclusion that as they could not get the Bill with this clause, it would bo better to t-ake seven-eighths of the municipal . loaf than no bread. The Hon. D. BWDDO said there was a constitutional ■ question involved, . and he was glad Mr. Wilford had taken up tho position lie bad. Mr. WEIGHT (Wellington. South) regretted that, the Minister could not, allow any clause to be inserted in the Bill in regard to sanitary by-laws. The clause was then rejected on the voices. Mr. WILFORD moyeda new clause toprovide that when local .bodies combine for tho purpose of superannuation funds, the liability shall be based on" the amount of subsidy to tho fund. The clause was carried. A Napier Matter. Mr. BROWN (Napier) moved a new clause, to the effect that tho provisions of-,Section 117 of tho Public Works Act, 190S, shall not ajiply to any street or private v;ay in Scinde Island, which was laid out before the, commencement of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1900. The Minister said lie could not accept the clause. Mr. LUKE (Wellington Suburbs) raised the question that the clause was equivalent to a local Bill or a private Bill. ' Tho Chairman upheld the point. .Mr. BROWN (Napier) said that all that was proposed was that the Council should act as trustees to carry out &. trust. The Hon. D. BUDDO said the property was to be held as a reserve, to which a charge was to be made. Any property that, was vested in local bodies should be ■ a public reserve. He. would ask the House to reject the clause. Mr. HERDMAN (Wellington North) said that ho could not see. why the clauso ■ should not be adopted. It would frive local bodies the powers to accept such gifts. They need mot accept them unless they liked. A successful appeal was then-mader atthe instance of Mr. Fisher from tho Chairman's ruling. ~= ! , Mr. ELL (Christchurcli Soiith)' was' of opinion that the clause' should not. be . adopted. He would give the history of the position. : Members':" Oh,' don't. Sir Joseph Ward: Let us get on with the Bill: we can't delay like this. Mr. Ell: All I will'say is that the clause has been very cleverly 1 drafted. The MINISTER said he would agree to such part of tho proposal as would enable the ■ Council to take over the property. ■ Sir Joseph Ward (impatiently): Let us take a division; Upon, a division the olause was rejected on . the voices. Further Proposals. | Mr. M'LAREN (Wellington East) moved a new clause to the effect to permit of expenditure by councils upon museums, I but it was lost on the voices. • It was then-proposed by. Mr. Craigie (Timaru) that provision 'should be made for the licensing of .butchers' shops in boroughs. The clause was, however, rejected. Mr. DAYEY (Christchurch East) moved a now clauso to the effect that the larger of a cluster of local bodies should be ; authorised to license and:collect the-fees under the heavy traffic by-laws, and that they should be apportioned at a conference, or failing .agreement, by a magistrate. The MINISTER promised. to have the i matter dealt with in the Council, and i tho clauso was then withdrawn. , Mr.' T. E. TAYLOR (Christchurch i North) moved a new clause to the effect i that notwithstanding various clauses of [ various Acts the course of any public or • private street or way in any " borough shall be shbject absolutely to tho permis- [ sion or approval of the council. Mr. HERRIES (Taura'nga) said the . local authority might prevent the owner I of land cutting up his land in the best j way with a view to the disposal of it. Mr. WITTY (Riccarton) said the clauso t .would malco for uniformity of streets and > prevent them running higgledy-piggledy. Tho Hon. D. BUDDO said tho local : authority had lull'power over tho courso j of streets under Section 169 of- the t Municipal Corporations Act. J Mr. T. E. TAYLOR said that was not so. Tho Christchurch Council had been ) defied time and again. ' i The clause was rejected on ths voices. | PUBLIC WORKS AMENDMENT. . i In Committee on the Public Works Amendment, the Hon. R, il'Eenzio . (Minister for public Works) moved to 3 omit tho first part of Clauso 5 (dealing , with the taking of land as for a public . work), and substitute tho following:— . "Before any Order-in-Council is issued t authorising tho Minister to construct any 3 water-race or water-supply works,' the owners or occupiers of all lands.likely to . be benefited therejiy shall be given an ) opportunity to enter into contracts with his Majesty to take water from, such works when completed; and such contracts shall specify the quantity of water to be so taken and the price to be paid. If less than one-half of tho total number of the owners or occupiers are willing 1 to enter into such contracts, no' Order-in- , Council authorising the construction of such works shall be issued, but if at least one-half enter into contracts to take such quantity of water as tho Governor c thinks reasonable, at such price as the . Governor may approve, an Order-in- !, Council authorising the construction of ' the works may be issued. - In eucli case tho Governor may, at any time, prior to j the completion of tho works, talle as ' for a public work, in tho manner pre--1 scribed by the principal Act, tho whole . or any portion of any land with respect 1 to which neither the owner nor, the occupier is willing to enter into such con--2 tract, and which can, in tho opinion of the Governor, bo usefully irrigated by ) means of such works: and for tho pur- ) poses of this sub-section all tho pro--3 visions of Parts II and 111 of tho prin--1 cipal Act shall apply." i Mr. MASSEY said tho Ministor was t taking a great deal of power. He asked - if a man's land could bo taken without liis consent, and without his having tho l right of appeal.' 3 Tho now clause was added to the Bill. ; Sub-clause C of Clause 5 was, after some 3 discussion, struck out. clause pro--3 vided that compensation should be based upon the value of the land immediately 1 prior to tho construction of tho water--5 race. 3 Mr. MASSEY had desired to amend the clause so that compensation should be i

based upon the value of the land at the [ timo of such taking, less the increased value (i£ any) given by tha construction of the v:ork. ! The Minister accepted a further -amendment that no greater area than 200 acres of irrigable land shall be sold or leased to any one person, without the consent of the Minister. The amendment consisted of tho v.-ords "of irrigablelacd." Clause 10, which proposed to confer . powers on local authorities constructing ) foothpaths to cliargo one-half tho cost ri upon owners of land fronting same, was a struck out, 011 tho voices. s (Left. Sitting.) * ■ * 0 t POLITICAL NOTES. a T MR. MASSEY IN NO HURRY. •'{ "Get on with the Bill!" "Get the 1 move oil!" repeatedly cried Mr. Parata, . the member for the Southern Maori district, whilst Opposition members were criticising; the ■ proposals in the Eating Amendment Bill last niglit. , "Now 'don't be impatient," rejoined j Mt. Massey, who r.ddscl that there was < no particular hurry—now.. He explained ; that he had hoped to attend the Auck- \ land show this week. . , The Prime Sinister: So did I. j Sir. Masssy: Well, it is quite impos- -, sible for either of us to attend. "Oh, get on with the Bill," again in- . : terjccted Mr. Parata. 1 Mr. Massey: I don't care if we have to sit on,'••till Christmas. The Hon. T. Mackenzie: Tou kept us hera till then last year. Mr. Massey: It was my duty—an unpleasant one, I admit. PETITIONS. The Public Petitions Committee, reporting on the petition.of Thos. Nicholson, of Taxauaki Street, for an. old age pension, strongly recommends the' Government to grant petitioner .£52, equal to two years' old age pension, and place this sum on the Supplementary Estimates. The Public Petitions Committee has recommended tho petition • for'a grant of iC3OO for the purpose of cleaning, widening, and deepening a drain near To Aroha (Piako. Canal) to. the favourable consideration of tho Government.' The petition of Donald Kerr,n of Tinakori Road, was reported on yesterday. Petitioner asked- that his claim for. salary and compensation be referred. to arbitration. The recommendation of the Agricultural, Stock, and Commerce Committee is that in ordeir to reach' finality if possible petitioner's claim for salary during suspension between Juno 24, 1898, and October 30, 1902, should be referred to arbitration —preferably before a sti- . pendiary magistrate. ■ Reporting on the petition of Thomas Walker, of "Wereroa, claiming ,£2OO for work performed and material supplied in connection with the Wereroa- Boys' Training 3?arm, and also compensation for alleged wrongful dismissal, the Education . Committee says it has no recommendation to make. . '. HARDING'S ROAD BRIDGE. The Public Petitions Committee, reporting on the petition of the Woodville County . Council, for a subsidy of .£IOOO for the Hardings' Road bridge, says it is of opinion that the petition should be referred >to ths Government for favourable consideration, with a recommendation that a clause to the following effect bo inserted in the Appropriation 1 Bill:— "Whereas the Woodville County obtained from the Minister for Finance during: tho year 1907 a loan of '.£3OOO under the - Local Bodies' Loans. Act, 1901, for the construction of a bridge across the Manawatu River, known as Harding's Road bridge, and whereas owing, tp .£IOOO as -a subsidy towards, the cost of the bridge : .having been granted in 1909, the whole ' of the. .sum of .£3OOO borrowed for the erection. of the bridge was not required, 1 and whereas it is desirable to permit the 1 sum of £1000 returned by the county to 1 -be,applied.in part repayment of the loan, ■ be it enacted as follows: The sum of ' ,£IOOO shall, by the Minister for Finance be paid out. of the Public Works. Fund ; ' ('without-further-appropriations than this. 1 Act, and applied in reduction of the loan." -i n' ori'f •' : RAILWAYS"AUTHORISATION. 'An amendment to the Railways' Authorisation Bill introduced yesterday-pro-poses to authorise a duplicate line abont two and . a quarter miles long between i .Ravensbourno and Hanover Street, Dunedin. ' . DELAYED STOCK TRUCKS, A' question is being put to the 1 Minister , for Railways by Mr. Field as to whether he will, as far as possible, prevent injury to and suffering of stock occasioned by long delays of stock-laden trucks at> 1 Paekakariki, and if be will give directions that where delay, is inevitable it shall,, as far as possible, be confined to goods- ! rather than stock. 1 Mr. Field is also asking the Minister ■ if he will give, instructions that proper liorse-trucks shall be provided for horses, > instead of their being, as is too often tho ' case at present,' placed in cattle-trucks in 1 which they knock their heads about when. ' being raised, and in some cases become I seriously injured,'if not-absolutely ruined. > ' . JOTTINGS. t Reporting on the petition of Haps Renata and others, jf Masterton, . for an inquiry re the title to Te Unuunu Block, the Native Affairs Committee > says it is of opinion that the Bill should j bo referred to the Government for inquiry. 1 A Bill, introduced by ' Governor's t Message, embodies tbe main''recraif mc-ndations, of the Royal Commisr sion which' reported recently on the silt--1 ing, of the Ohinemuri and Waihou - Rivers. It is not at present intended to amend. tho terms upon, whicli the bonus of 3d. l per gallon to encourage the production of J kerosene oil was offered on November 10. a The matter of a daylight-saving scheme 1 will be considered during the recess, but . (the Prime Minister stafe) no undertak--1 ing can be given to introduce a Bill a dealing with the subject, as there are a numerous practical difficulties to be met.