LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 209, 2 October 1878, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wkltjngtos, Tuesday. A report was read re the employment of boys. The Electoral Bill waa read the first time.

In reply to Mr Hall, Col. Whitmore said that the Government did not propose to introduce any new Bill to deal with the subject of charitable aid institutions this season. The Government would be prepared to provide for one half the cost of charitable aid and hospitals in each district, but the locality would have to provide the other half in some form or other. The Government desired to leave the management of the Hospitals entirely in the hands of the local bodies. The subject was a difficult one to deal with but as the existing system had been more or less successful in the past it did not demand reform at present. In reply to Col. Brett, Col. Whitmore said that a return would be prepared showing the streugth of the Volunteer aud Cadut corps, and other particulars ou matters of defence, lie did not favor the introduction of Gat ling guns or repeating rifles as proposed by Col Brett. The Hon. W. Robinson explained that his absence from the call of the Council had beeu caused by urgent privatejbiisiuess affect ing other people's interests more than his own. The Ormond Military Settlers and Blufc Harbor Endowment Bills were read the second time and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. The Patea Harbor Biil was read a second time and referred to the Harbor Committee. The Oamaru Waterworks Act passed through Committee. The Public Reserves Act passed through Committee.