PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 158, 3 July 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Priday night. In the House this afternoon, Sir W. Pox gave notice that he would move for a clause to be inserted in the Education Act authorising the reading of the Bible in the public schools, subject to a conscience clause and a time table. It was stated that when the vote for the Hansard came on, the Government would state what the# intended doing regarding its abolition. It was stated that the prospectors at work between the Parihanga and Haast rivers, in Westland, had obtained seven pounds weight of coarse gold in seven weeks, but at this season of the year ifc was highly imprudent for a rush to be started. It was stated thafc the Government would nofc impose a duty on maize, which was im* ported from America or the other colonier It was stated that under the property tax no person need state the amount of his debts, whether secured by mortgage or otherwise, unless he wished to have their amounts deducted from the value of his property. S git was stated that the Middle Island Native Claim Commission had cost £1,700, and that the Government bad refused to grant them any further supplies until they had reported what they bad done. They bad not reported yet, and it was not known when they would. Mr Hamlin reported respecting the road across the Waimate Plains, that the only spot where it was impassable was where there was a stream and no bridge. Mr Bryce said that at that place the culverts were nofc filled in. The Election Petitions Bill^and the Pharmacy Bill were both passed. When the House adjourned, the Licensing Bill was being considered in Committee. _, Saturday. lhe whole night was. spent in Committee on the Licensing Bill. it was carried that in every case tbe smallest sub-division be a licensing district. Tbe clauses referring to native districts were altered so as to give the assessor absolute power of veto on the issue of licenses as at present. The clause allowing tha Minister for Public Y/orks to grant licenses to railway refreshment rooms waß struck out. The clauses about bottle licenses and only holding one license were postponed. Clause 27 was altered so as to relieve wholesale license-holders and brewers from the necessity from registering under the Distillation Act. On clause 29 being discussed, Mr Stevens proposed a provision for licenses for the sale of New Zealand wines only. Mr Dick did not consider it practicable. The discussion was unfinished when progress was reported at 12.30.