PARLIAMENT.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 26, 16 August 1890, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE CF REPRESENTATIVES, (PER UNITKD P.RESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, August 14 The House met at 2.30. The Law of Libel Bill waa received from the Legislative Council and read a first time. The Borough of Devonport EEmpowerr r ing and Endowment Bill, Wellington School of Design Bill, Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill, Timaru Charitable Aid Institution Bill, Tuakitoto and Kaitangata Lakes Bill, Palmerston North Reserves Bill, and Kihikihi Cernetary Reserve Leasing Bill were committed, read a third time, and passed. Replying to questions it was stated thai there was nothing in the Rating Act which would exempt Volunteer Drill Sheds from taxation. That the Government were not aware whether any Friendly Societies had applied to havetheir accounts audited by the Audit Department. — That the Government weredoing their best to preserve from sale all natural curiosities in the shape of hot and mineral springs. On the motion " That the House go into Committee," Mr Taylor moved, as an amendment, " That the Government should take the necessary steps to obtain a permanent location for Legislative capital of the colony, by purchasing 1500 acres of land on the Canterbury Plaing tobe laid out as a township. The amendment wag lost without discussion. The House then went into Committeeof Supply for consideration of the Estimates. Justice Department; Supreme Court,. £7500.— Mr T. Thompson moved that the vote be reduced by ±,590, carried by 36---to 33. Bankruptcy, £7053.— Captain Russell said he should accept a reduction in thevote of £445, and the total vote as reduced by £445, then passed. District Resident Magistrates and Wardens' Court, £43,982.— Mr T. Thompsonsuggested that Mr Fish would withdraw his motion, and that the Minister should accept a reduction of £659 on the total vote. Captain Russell agreed to thisMr Fish withdrew his motion, and th& total vote, as reduced by £650 passed on the voices. Prisons, £40,615.— Mr Fish moved toreduce this vote by £2955. Mr Fish's motion was loßt by 20 to 161 The Minister agreed to a reduction of LISOO, which wasaccordingly made. Miscellaneous services, L 3253. — Mr Goldie moved to reduce its item by LSOO--—Garried. Progress was reported at 12.55, and theEouae rose. August 15. Mr Harkness brought up the report of the Committee on the several petitionsthat had been presented with reference to the adoption of Vaile's system of low rates on the railways of the colony. The report stated that as the railways were voted by Act under the complete control of the Railway Commissioners, they were the best judges of the proper method of working them. The Committee considered that all petitions should be referred to the Ra lway Commissioners for their consideration. In answer to Mr Thompson (Marsden)', the Hon. Mr Fergus said that the total abolition of the Public Works Department was an impossibility. A letter was received from the AuditorGeneral to the effect that, owing to th» reductions recently made in the AuditDepartment, it was impossible to carry on the duties of the office satisfactorily,, and asking the Government to make provision for the proper auditing of the public accounts. v"f The House went into Cotiirnittee of Supply, when an Imprest Supply Bill for L 150,000 was passed through all itsstages. The Post and Telegraph Estimate* were passed without the slightest reduct; r>n. The House rose at 1.25.