PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2325, 16 September 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

TBr Texbqbaph.] WELLINGTON", September 15. The Order Paper ie clearing by degrees. To-day there are sixty-one Bills in various stages, of which several were disposed of tonight. So far 206 papers have been laid on the table, and 379 petitions presented. The petitions committee reported fo-dor on the petition of Messrs Brogden and Sore, as follows:—"In dealing with petitioners’cate, the committee have availed themselves of the evidence taken by the Public Works and Immigration Commission of 1873. The committee have obtained documentary evidenee from the Public Works Department, and fully examined such witnesses as have been submitted for examination by the petitioners. After carefully considering the evidence, and giving due weight to the circumstances under which the immigration contract was entered into, I am directed to report that the committee are of opinion that the petitioners have no claim against the colony.” (Signed) Taos. Kell”, Chairman, From the minutes of the committee's cracecdings, it appears that Mr Turnbull moved “ That relief be granted to Messrs Brcgd:r in respect of their immigration contract, so as to put the charges for passages on !he same footing as other immigrants have been charged who paid cash.” This would amount to £10,630, less recoveries, &c., £4660, plus £256 transhipment drafts, leaving the net sum payable £6230. Mr Barron moved as au amendment —“That petititioners have uo claim against the colony” ; and this was carried on a division by 6 votes (Messrs Allwright, Barron, Dick, Kenny, Murray, and Richardson) to 1 (Mr Turnbull). The petitions committee also report an the petition of the Dunedin school committee against the present method ot electing school committees, and praying that the committee be elected in the same way as Town Councils. The committee decline to make any recommendation, as the matter is one of public policy. The Stamp Act Amendment Bill imrcees additional duty—(l) Upon every first ‘ conveyance or sale ” of Native lands to a peiscn other than a Native, ten pounds per cent, on the amount or value of the consideration ; (2) upon every lease of Native land to a person other than a Native ten pounds per cent, upon the amount or value, or any consideration by way of premium in respect c£ which the lease is granted, and also ten pounds per centum upon the capitalized value of any rent payable thereunder, the capitalized value where the lease ie fur a ;e.m not exceeding ninety years to be that of an annuity equal to rent interested out at 5 per cent. ; capitalized value may be ascertained where a lease is contingent on a life or lives by au actuary, or jointly agreed upon ; capitalized value in other cases to be £l2 10s per £1 of the annual rent. The Native Lind Duties Act 1873 is repealed. Section 5 of the Stamp Act. 1880 to '*o read subject to section 28 of the Stamp Act 1875. One form of stamp to fcc used fur ill • u ; .;i. As few stamps as possible to Ve used on any one document ;an officer may refuse c.i : if improperly stamped. Receipts f:r Imperial pent-ions arc exempted. In reference to the petitions of several shepherds that sheep dogs may be from the dog tax, the public petitions committee report that, as the subject is now under the consideration of the House, it Is not necessary to make any recommendation. Rapid progress ie now being mare with the business, and unices there is any serious delay over the Finance Bills, including the Property Assessment Amcndmen*, members ore sanguine of getting through by the end of the week.

The House meets at II to morrow, and adjourns at 1 30 to 7 30, to cr-bl* to follow the funeral procession of tie late Mr Moorhouso from his residence to the the steamer which conveys his remains to Lyttelton. Deep regret la expressed on all sides at his death, and the general feeling is that the political world of the colony has sustained a loss that will not easily be replaced.