HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 682, 26 August 1876, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Fbiday, August 25. The House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS. Mr Wood asked if Government intended calling for tenders for the completion of fencing the Bluff and Invercargill Railway ? Mr Richabdson said the line was still in the hands of the Provincial Government, and the Government knew nothing about the fencing. In reply to Mr Teschemaker, the Hon 0. 0. Bowen said there was not enough business to justify the Government in appointing a Resident Magistrate at Waimate at present; but if it was created into a municipality, as was said to be probable, the Mayor could act as Magistrate, In any case, the railway would be soon open, and then fortnightly visits of a magistrate would be arranged. As the Court House accommodation was undoubtedly too small, the present accommodation would be increased. building societies bill. The Building Societies Bill was advanced a stage in committee. BATING BILL. The Bating Bill was further considered in committee. A long discussion ensued on the second sub-section of clause 40 relating to mining property. A division took place on the question whether the following words should be inserted in the second clause, section 40, “ and any land held under lease or license for mining purposes, other than gold mining, shall be rateable property only to the extent of their surface value.” The amendment was rejected by 28 to 24. Sub-section 3, exempting land occupied for public purposes by Crown or local body of the district, Mr Mubbay-Aynsley moved be struck out. Mr Huntbe moved an amendment — «That the exemption shall only apply to such properties occupied by the Crown as belongs to the Crown,” He urged that it was not fair that owners of property rented by Government should escape paying rates. The sub-section was retained as printed. A good deal of discussion ensued as to whether churches, chapels, and religious schools should be exempt from rating, several holding that that clause be struck out. On an amendment by Mr Rowe that the words churches and schools established by religious bodies be struck out, a division was taken, and the amendment rejected by 41 against 16. The House rose at 6.30. The whole of the evening sitting was occupied in discussing the postponed and new clauses of the Rating Bill. A number of divisions were taken on amendments proposed, but few of them were carried. The recommittal of Bill was obtained in order to strike out from the exemption clauses the dwellings of officiating ministers of religion. An attempt was also made to exempt libraries, athenaeums, museums, mechanic institutes, Masonic, Oddfellows, and Good Templar’s halls, but it was defeated. _ On Mr Stout’s motion colleges and universities were exempted from rating. The Premier announced that he would on Tuesday announce to the House the course Government proposed to do with regard to the appointment of Agent-General.