Parliamentary.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 July 1901, Page 4

Parliamentary.

(OUR PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER),

The Hokitika Harbor Board. Wellington, This Day.

Mr Pirani asked if it was Intended to take any steps to recover nearly five years’ interest on a loan of £IO,OOO due to the Post Office Savings Bank by the Hokitika Harbor Board.

The Postmaster-General replied that if the Board were given a reasonable time, there was ground for believing that the whole of the liability would be met. In the last 12 months £587 had been paid and on the Blst December last there was £2,118 due to the Government. Sir Joseph Ward went on to say that he did not intend to release the Harbor Board from their obligation to the colony, but recognising that the Board was doing their best under somewhat adverse circumstances, the Ministers intended to help them all they could by giving them time to pay their debts. Noxious Weeds. The Government wore urged by Mr Barclay yesterday afternoon to amend the Noxious Weeds’ Act by imposing a penalty for the sale of chaff or other produce adulterated with noxious weeds. The Minister of Agriculture agreed that the Act required amendment, but doubted whether time could be found for the purpose this session. Mr Bollard complained that the Government had not yet brought the bill into actual operation, and wanted to know when that would be done. The Minister said the? Act came into force very late last spring, and it was not considered: advisable to enforce it at once. Provision, however, had now been made for inspection, and by the time the summer arrived there would be inspectors who would have full power of enforcing the provisions of the Act. “It ,v.mld be as well if the settlers took the hint now,” said the Minister in conclusion.