PARLIAMENTARY

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1931, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY

THE COUNCIL. i'By Telegraph —Per I’ress Association) WELLINGTON, October 31. The Legislative Council met yesterday and passed the Hawkes Bay Earthquake Relief Funds Bill, Native Land Bill, Land Transfer (Hawkes Bay) Bill. THE HOUSE. WELLINGTON, October 31. In the House of Representatives, the Mountain Guides Bill (Mr Hamilton) was introduced and read a first time. Local Legislation B/,11, and Mining Amendment Bill were introduced and read a first time. Mr Jones said the latter measure dealt with the question of water rights which hrd arisen mainly in Central Otago. The House went into committee and passed the following estimates;

Prisons’ Department 104,019 Pensions’ Department 162,649 Marine Department i 10.614 Westport Harbour Account ... 29,736 Agricultural Department ... 414,255 Nauru and Ocean Islands Account ... 505 Mines Department 24,679 State Coal Alines Account ... 301,279 Department of Industries and Commerce 138,273 Internal Affairs 210,816 Department of Labour 62,942 Post Office Account ... ... 2.649,161 Members urged further Government assistance and encouragement to the gold mining industry when the vote for the Mines Department was submitted. Mr Jones said there had been the keenest possible interest in connection with mining, particularly gold mining during recent months. The amount of gold won last month had exceeded in value by 910,000 sterling the amount won during the corresponding month last year, in spite of the fact that the big dredge on the West Coast had not been working. It was apparent that private prospectors were working effectively and obtaining a considerable amount of gold. The House rose at 9.30 p.m. till Monday evening.