LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3122, 30 June 1881, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wednesday. The Council met at 3 p.m. CHINESE IJIMIGEANTS BILL Mr Whitakov moved the second reading of the Chinese Immigrants Bill. After some debate the Council divided on the motion—Ayes, 13 ; noes, 10. The bill was read a second time. BANKRUPTCY BILL. Mr Whitaker gave notice that ho would introduce a Bankruptcy Bill. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICES? OF MOTION. Mr Oliver gave notice to move for a committee of enquiry into the management and working of the New Zealand railways, with power to report its opinion as to any changes desirable. Mr Stewart gave notice to move for a committee to report on the removals and redactions in the police force during the past year. QUESTIONS. Keplying to questions, it was stated that in dealing with the report of the Inspector of Prisons care would be taken to do no injustice to subordinate officers, and that each case would be dealt with, relative to new appointments, on its own merits, irrespective of the report; the Government were of opinion that it was best to allow County Councils to impose a dogtax of not less than five shillings ; the matter of selecting historical text books for the use of schools rested with the Education Boards, the Government having provided a list of such books for the Boards to select from ; the Government would be prepared to provide facilities for free vaccination and re-vaccination of grown-up persons ; the Government had no desire to see the Public Trustee competing for business by means of newspaper advertisements, and enquiries would be made into his authority for issuing such advertisements. TIBST HEADINGS. The following bills were introduced and read a first time: — Taranaki County Council Loan Act 1878 Amendment Bill; Waitara Harbor Board Loan Bill (Trimble) ; Cook County Eivera Bill (M'Donald) ; Bill to further enable affirmations to be taken in lieu of oaths (Grey). BATES TOR EAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. Mr Hursthouse moved that districts throughwhich Government railways have been constructed or are being constructed should be rated to pay the differense between the working expenses—including interest on cost—and the receipts. He argued that the proposal was part of the Public Works policy as originally proposed, but unfortunately it had not been acted on. While the lands through which the railways had been taken largely benefited by the lines being constructed, other places where there were no railways had actually been injured in proportion. Under these circumstances it was absurd to argue that they should all be taxed alike for the deficiency arising in the working expenses. ; Mr George thought the motion impracticable, but argued, by way of equalising matters, that the Government should take over the responsibility for the maintenance of the main roads throughout those districts through which railways had not been made.