LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5465, 2 October 1878, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tuesday, Oct. 1. The Hon, the Acting-Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. PETITION, ETC. The Hon. Mr. HaLLi presented a petition in favor of a second bridge over the Rakaia. A report 'was read re the employment of boys at Bellamy’s, who were declared to be well treated, and that there was no foundation for the paragraph published in the Evening Post . THE SPEAKER. Leave of absence was given to the Speaker until the 15th inst. CHARITABLE INSIITUTIONS. The Hon. Mr. HALL asked the Colonial Secretary what steps the Government proposed to take for the purpose of placing the management of charitable institutions upon a more satisfactory basis? The session was now eo far advanced that he thought the Council might reasonably expect some information from the Government in regard to what steps they meant to take in this matter. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE said it was not intended to bring in a Bill to deal with the subject. The Government were prepared to advance one-half of the cost of the maintenance of these bodies out of the Consolidated Revenue, but the other half would have to be contributed by the local bodies in some form or other. They hoped to have the management left entirely in the hands of the localities. Hitherto, on the whole, local management had proved to bo a success. The Government did not wish to assimilate the New Zealand law to the English Poor Law. • * THE VOLUNTEERS.

The Hon. Colonel BRETT moved for a return showing the strength and armament of all volunteer and cadet companies in the colony. In introducing the motion he expressed his desire to see every corps armed and field magazines introduced. He spoke strongly in favor of Gatling guns, one of which he considered equal to 100 men. He aLo recommended the introduction of repeating rifles.

The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE said that a report would be prepared to supply the information asked for. Gatling guns were constantly being improved in form and detail, as were repeating rifles, and ho could not recommend their introduction at present. It was very difficult to manage these matters satisfactorily in the face of the reductions made ia the estimates for defence. As a further reason against repeating rifles he might say that it was quite possible to give soldiers an arm that would tempt them to waste their ammunition. He paid a high tribute of praise to the volunteers of the colony, and especially to* the corps at the Thames. The Hon Mr. BATLLTE was glad to hear that cadets would be supplied with arms, as no doubt it would tend to increase the value of the training supplied. After a short discussion the motion was agreed to. BILLS INTRODUCED. The Electoral Act was read a first time; the second reading was fixed for Thursday next. The Management of Savings Banks Act was read a first time ; also an Act to confer temporary powers upon the Governor-in-Council for the purposes of certain Acts of the General Assembly. THE CALL. The Hon, Mr. ROBINSON explained that his absence had been caused by a matter of business affecting other persons’ interests besides his own. lie had fully expected to be able to return in time for the sitting of the Council. SECOND READINGS. The Ormond Military Settlers BUI was brought forward by the Hon. Mr. Wilson for the second reading.—The Hon. Mr. Frasf.r desired to bo assured that this laud had been acquired in strict accordance with the law. The Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Waste Lauds Committee. The Bluff Harbor Endowment Bill was read a second time and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. The Patea Harbor Bill was read a second time and referred to the Harbor Committee. IN COM3IITTEE. The following amendment was made in the Rating Act Amendment Bill Provided that any county may, wth the sanction of the Governor iu Council, in the month of March in every year, not being a year in which a county valuation is made, require that a new valuation roll iu such county be made. The Oamaru Waterworks Act was passed through committee, and progress reported. The Public Reserves Act passed through committee.

At the evening sitting the second reading of the Windham Cemetery Bill was proposed by the Hon. Dr. Mbnzies, and met with no objection It was explained by the mover that the object of the Bill was to give over tho management of the cemetery into the hands of a locally appointed committee The Hon. Sir F. DILI,ON BELL moved the second reading of the Mount Ida Water Race Trust Bill.

The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE thought the Bill had a tendency to withdraw from the control of Parliament a wholesome supervision exercised by them over these water race trusts. He was inclined to look with some suspicion noon the measure, and hoped the mover wou'd be able to show some sufficient reason for its introduction. The Hoo. Mr. REYNOLDS moved that the Bill might be adjourned, to give time to the Hon, Colonial Secretary to inquire into the matter, so that at a later stage he might be able to advise the Council upon the course he would recommend. The Hon. Sir DILLON BELL said he was quite prepared to allow the second reading to be postponed. It was furthered in the Lower House by the Minister tor Public Works, and lie had not anticipated any opposition to its progress. A report from the committee to whom .the Bill had been referred was read. Subject to certain stipulations, the report recommended that the experiment of converting this into a lofial trust might he tried avith advantage. The second reading avas postponed. The Wyndhatn Cemetery Bill avas passed through committee ffpho Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE objected to the Bill being read a third time, as he intended to move for its recommittal with a view to amend it in accordance with tho report of the Local Bills Committee. The third reading was postponed. The Waitaki High School Bill avas made an order of the day for next day. The House adjourned at 8.20.