PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 73, 15 July 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[by electric telegraph.] _ 0 Wellington, Saturday. The House met at 2.30 yesterday. EAST COAST ELECTION". A fortnight's extension of time was granted to the Committee inquiring into the election for the East Coast. CANTERBURY WASTE LANDS. A Bill was introduced by Mr. Wason to regulate the leasing and disposal of the waste lands of the Crown within the Province of Canterbury, when the present leases expire. THE RATING BILL. ' Before going into Committee upon the Rating Bill, the Premier announced that the Government proposed that runs should be rated at one-half, the estimated value in accordance with a plan arrived at, after much discussion on the Highways Act, 1871. He also said the Government proposed revaluing the Canterbury runs, with a view to offer them to the present holders. They considered the promises given, and the understanding was such that this was a fair mode of dealing witli the question. The Government considered the circumstances in Otago widely different to Canterbury. The term was much less substantial respecting Otago runs, also the law specifically declared that there should be discretion as to granting new leases and as to cutting up into smaller runs, and that all new leases must be put up to public tender. The Premier also stated that when there was a new power to rate mining property, it would not be exempt. A long discussion ensued, several Goldfields representatives objecting to mining property being rated. There was a great diversity of opinion as to general, rating. The interpretation of the clause" fixes "rateable value " to mean five percent, on the year by rental, but in no case to be less than five per cent., and in case of unoccupied, lends five per cent, on the value of fee simple. Amendments were proposed by Messrs. I

BUTTON and STOUT, the the view of making the clause 1 country districts only; the formJ the rateable value of any land at fi| cent, upon its unimproved value time it was assessed. Other anieJ were suggested, though not moved animated discussion was kent n',s 5.30. * At 7.30 the House resumed j. mittee on the Rating Bill, andconsij. discussion ensued on the question of! land, there being great diversity oh,; Mr. BUTTON objected to impto! being taxed ; but the clauses m were carried without any very ja alteration. The 'debate was until half-past one, by which time ft! mittee reached to clause 10, which with some slight amendment. THE FINANCIAL BILL, The SPEAKER then annom* message from the Governor, the R Bill. The PREMIER explained t*o, in it, saying that Abolition woulj' into force on the 29th September j of the Ist October, in consequence ( latter date falling upon Sunday, m September being a holiday. Tin was that provision would be madefj Superintendents, but out of the res of the Provinces, instead of oui|| Colonial revenue. The Bill vasu first time, and the House adjoin 1.45 a.m. THE 'FRISCO MAIL SERYIfI Further correspondence re Califo mail servic is published. The Sydney Government give u mation of their views respectbj charges in the service, though asls this Government.