THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1215, 25 August 1911, Page 6

THE HOUSE.

LOCAL BILLS. The House met at 2.30 yesterday afternoon. Tho Onehunga Borough Vesting Bill (Mr. Lang) and tho Waikoikoi Public Hall Transfer Bill (Mr. Malcolm) were read a first time. Tho Hon. T. Y. DUNCAN (Oamaru) moved the second reading of the Papakaio Water Race District Validation Bill. The seeonl reading was carried on the voices.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BILLS. The rest of the sitting was taken up by a discussion of the Chief Justice's report on the administration of tho Cook Islands and the opportunity of introducing private members' Bills was lost. On the motion of Sir W. Steward it was agreed that the Elective Executive Bill should be made an order of the day on We<"Cuesday week next. Mr. Fisher's Sunday Labour Bill was also set down for that date. The House rose at 11.35 p.m. AN UNUSUAL PETITION. A petition was presented in the Legislative Council yesterday by the Hon. Major Harris, from Richard James Foltus, a resident of Auckland. Petitioner alleges that he has been ill-treated in the Avondalc Mental Hospital, and prays for relief. He states that an attendant at the hospital seized him. by the neck, brutally*assaulted him, and knocked his teeth out of his mouth, and, again, he was dragged naked by the heels down a flight of stone steps .to his coll, and was also put Hurler a tap and whackcil with a broomstick. The attendant, he adds, was dismissed. Petitioner also 6tates that he has been violently assaulted 0:1 several occasions by a dangerous lunatic. A further petition by Fcltus asks for a refund of certain expenses alleged to havo been incurred on public service.

NAI NAI. Mr. Hordman has given notice to move for a return showing the cost' of iha Nai Nai Estate, Hutt, purchased by the Government, the amount paid in interest since the purchase, all tho expenditure on tho land since the purchase, and all the moneys received from the land. _ Tho same member will also ask for. a. similar return in connection with tho Mudgway Estate. Hutt.