HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 3, 4 July 1894, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

In the House this afternoon considerable discussion ensued upon the motion of the Premier's to lay certain papers on the table in reference to Captain Hannah's reports on fire prevention appliances. QTTEBIIONB In reply to questions, Ministers said . — lt was intended to give power in tbe proposed __ unicipal Corporation Bill to amalgamate local bodies. Legislation would be proposed to enable Village settlers to convert holdings to leases io perpetuity, to abolish distraint for rent, and to compel natives to pay- towards dividing fences. The Railway Commissioners did not intend to cushion second- class carriages. Government would get the Engineer to report on protective works at Meanee, Hawke's Bay. The bringing back of Leonard Harper was nnder consideration as well as refund of the trust money paid to the Union Bank by G. Harper. ABOLITION OF IMPRISONMENT FOB DEBT. The debate on the second reading of the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill was resumed by Mr Crowther. Mr Montgomery did not think thay should bring in a law to abolish imprisonment as a punishment for those who could pay but who would not pay. Mr Pirani opposed the Bill, saying that a man might be able to jingle money in his pocket and laugh at his creditors. ■-■ The adjournment of the debase was then moved by Mr Pin.erton, supported by the Premier, and carried. HAWKERS AND J^EDLEBS BILL. The Premier said such a Bill as this was urgently necessary to deal with hawker and pedler nuisance caused in this Colony because of the influx of these people in consequence of legislation in other colonies, Mr Duthie pointed out the injury done to legitimate trades by travellers who went from town to town renting shops for a month or so in each plaoe to sell jewellery and other wares. The second reading was agreed to. AUDIT OF COMPANIES' ACCOUNTS. The Premier, in the absence of the Colonial Treasurer, moved the second reading? of the Companies' AccountAudit Bill. He said that by the lax system of audit not only company shareholders, but the credit of the colony suffered. Mr Duthie agreed with Sir Robert Stout that. the Audit would be of no account if the values were fictitious. The second reading of the Bill was agreed to. The House adjourned at 10.50 p.m.