PRIVATE BILLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1810, 24 July 1913, Page 8

PRIVATE BILLS.

THE SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

PROPOSAL REJECTED.

DISCUSSION ON ACCIDENT INSURANCE.

The Legislative Council met at 2.50 '$.m. The SPEAKER (Hon. Charles Bowen) said that the time had arrived to present the Address-in-Eeply r to his Excellency the Governor. Mr. Speaker and other members then proceeded to Government House, and duly presented the Address. Upon returning, the Speaker announced that his Excellency 'had replied in the following terms: "To Mr. Speaker and Honourable Gentlemen of tho Legislative Council: I beg to thank you for the Address you have presented,' and for your renewed assurance of hearty co-operation in all matters appertaining to tne ultimate prosperity and benefit of the people of New Zealand." , BILLS INTRODUCED. The Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, 1913, and the Amendments Incorporation Bill, 1913, were read, a first time. INQUIRIES RE FIRES. Tho Hon. J. DUTHIE gave notice that on Tuesday next he would ask the Minister whether, in view of the 122 fires recorded in New Zealand during April last, and: the regrettable, excessive number usually occurring, the Government would cause a coroner's inquiry to bo held into the circumstances of future fires; and, further, recognising that'this abnormal 1 number of fires is suggestive of incendiarism, would the coroner be instructed to call upon the underwriters .interested for evidence as to the, value of the risk in question whicli they held covered. At 3.30 p.m. the Council adjourned till this afternoon. 1