PARLIAMENTARY

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 36, 3 September 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

HOUSE OP BSPBESENTATIvES

[PEB UNITED PBESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington. Sept. 1. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Keplying to questions, it was stated that all goldfields wardens had been periodically removed that could be done with convenience to the wardens, and in the interests of the colony. — Inquiries would be made as to the erection of a courthouse at Westport. — Steps weuld be taken to prevent the spoliation of the islands in Otago Harbour. — There would be no> difficulty in supplying Volunteers with ammunition at cost price.: — A portion of the contract for the North Island Trunk railway has been offered to the Maoris, and it had been .done in a very satisfactory manner.— A sum was " on the Estimates for clearing the Mokau River.

MZW BILLS. . Sir George Grey introduced. a bill to reduoe the number of rotes given for the election of members of county councils.

Sir Julius Yogel introduced the Public Eevenues Bill.

The Hon. Mr Tole moved the second reading of die Criminal Code Bill, explaining thai it was a consolidation measure which had. passed the other branch of the Legislature several times. The bill had been prepared by the most eminent lawyers in England, and as from its nature it must be taken largely on trust, he would ask that the bill be adopted by the House without debate. — Messrs Downie Stuart, Conolly, Moss, Oarrick, and Samuel spoke on the bill, all, .with the exception of Mr Connolly, re commending that the bill should be postponed till next session.

In Committee on the Counties Act Amendment BUI — Clause 6, providing that the counties of Eden, Manakau, Raglan, Oroua, Marlborough, Ashley, and the Peninsula shall be suspended from the operation of the act) Mr Macarthur moved that the portion of the clause be struck out, which provided that the council may petition for a reversion of the act... The amendment was lost on the voices.—In clause 11, providing that the chairnan of counties is to be elected by county electors annually, the Hon. Mr Stout said he had received a large number of letters from county councils on the subject,, and he was bound te say they nearly all opposed it. — Clauses 28, 29, and 30 were postponed after a long discussion. Wbujkotok, This Day. The Counties Bill, clause 35 re limitation of bank overdraft, was struck •ut on the voices. Progress was then reported and leave obtained to sit again.

The Property Assessment Bill waa continued. Clauses 13 and 18 relative to property subject to and exempt from taxation, were postponed at the suggestion of Major Atkinson. Other important clauses were postponed in accordance with the suggestion of Major Atkinson, who suggested that the most important clauses should be still held over. Progress was reported on the bill.

The Auckland Baihray Land Compensation Bill waa road a third time and passed. The House rose at 12*5 p.m.