PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 4 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, August 3. In the Legislative Council to-day, The following Bills from the Lower House were read a first time :—lmprest Supply, Maori Prisoners' Detention, Banks and Bankers, Mercantile Law, Chattels Securities, Bills of Exchange, Procedure, Arms and Census Act Amendment. Mr. Reynolds gave notice for a return of all who draw pensions from the JSew Zealand Government, the amounts, and for what services awarded. Mr. Wilson gave notice to ask Government what they intend to do re purging the J.P. roll, and for a return of all J.P.s who have gone insolvent during the last 10 months. An adverse Committee report was brought up on the Oamaru Harbor Bill. The Port Molyneux Reserves Leasing Act was read a second time, and the Pharmacy Bill recommitted and further amended. In the House of Representatives today, Sir W. Fox presented a petition against a retention of the bottle : licensing system. Mr. Rolleston laid on the table correspondence with the Agent-General relative to immigration. Mr. Wright moved that the report of the Committee on the Ashburton County Council Waterworks Bill be agreed to. Mr. Hurst submitted that it was most improper to authorise further borrowing by local bodies. He also pointed out that the security proposed was not by any means adequate, arguing that this was a point for the consideration of Parliament, inasmuch as that the creditors would look to the Colony in the event of the local body not being able to meet its engagements. Mr. Hall said that the water was wanted for irrigation purposes, and the settlers were willing to rate themselves for the purpose. What they wanted was to borrow L 50.000 on the security of their rates, and he thought it would be a cruel wrong to refuse it. The motion was carried. Mr. Finn drew attention to a letter which appeared in the Chronicle alleging cruelty on the part of the officers in the Nelson gaol. Mr. Rolleston replied that he did not attach any great importance to the lester in question. Still he had taken cognisance of the matter. Mr. Rolleston said he would move for a committee to inquire by what means the correspondent of the Press (Christchurch) got possession of the copy of Dr. Skae's report on Lunatic Asylums last night. Mr. Pyke moved for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Education Act, 1877.

The motion was carried on the voices, and the Bill read a first time. The following Bills were also introduced and read a first time :—Bill to permit the Boroughs of Caversham, South Dunedin, and St. Kilda to amalgamate (Barron), Miscellaneous Native Claims Bill (Bryce). Mr. Hall said the Public Works Statement would be brought down to-morrow evening. They would then go on with the Public Works Estimates, and having got them through, the Government would state what Bills they mean to pass and what they meant to withdraw. When the House rose he would ask leave to sit tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock. The consideration of the Native Lands Court Bill in Committee was resumed, and a number of clauses were passed. The House adjourned at 5.30. On resuming, the Native Lands Court Bill was further considered in Committee. providing that natives aggrieved may apply for a re-hearing within six months, was altered to three months on a division of 23 to 44. Colonel Trimble moved an addition to clause 49, empowering the Court to tax bills of cost incurred in connection with these proceedings similar to the power exercised by the Supreme Court. Sir W, Fox would go a step further and make it an absolute penal offence for any land agent or solicitor to take more than the amount allowed by the Court. It was no uncommon thing for arrangements beforehand to be made for a lump sum, and Maori chiefs in-some cases were so very honorable that they would pay these exorbitant sums rather than appear to break their word. The clause as amended was carried. In clause 57, Mr. Lundon wanted the word "interlocutory" struck out. He complained that the same word had cost him LIOOO, and the word that cost the country so much money ought; no.t to be retained in the Bill. Mr. Bryce explained that the word simply meant an interim order, and could not of itself be productive of expense. The clause as printed passed. In Clause 60, Mr. J. B. Fisher moved that the Governor be substituted for a chief justioe, In supporting the proposal, Mr. Sheehan said that the appointment of an interpreter was a most important one, and therefore he should be free from the influences of the Court. Mr. Rolleston said he was strongly of opinion that the appointment should be with the Court, and not, as proposed, by the Governor. Mr. Gisborne moved the addition of' the words, " on the recommendation of the Chief Justice." Negatived on the voices. It was further moved that the words " Chief Justice" be inserted after the word '' Governor." Lost on a division of 26 to 31. Clause 61 was amended to make it correspond with the amendment made in the preceding clause. In Clause 63 an amendment that the words " and the Court may at any stage withdraw suoh assent," was on a division rejected by 85 to 31. A further amendment that no counsel or agent be allowed to appear in Court was negatived on a division of 32 to 22. Mr. Stewart then moved that the clause be struck out. He said that no respectable practitioner would come to attend a court from whioh he might be excluded at the whim or caprice of the Native Land Court Judge. The motion was lost on a, division of 13 to 44, andgthe clause as printed passed. In Clause 64, Mr. Bowen moved that the clause read, t( No person be allowed spirituous or fermented liquors," &c., instead of making their sale optional at the | discretion of the judge. In support of the olause as printed, Mr. Sheehan said that he had just come from an attendance of two months at one of these courts, and he could say from obser-. vation that if the hotel had been shut the work would have been gone through in half the time. At the solicitation of a number of persons he had been instru-. mental in getting the hotel closed for nine days, a,nd more work was gone through in one day than had been got through in the rest of the time. Still it was necessary the closing should be optional in the hands of the judges. It was moved that these courts should have the powers accorded Licensing. Courts. The last-named motion was carried, and the cla\is,e as amended passed. The remainder of the Bill passed as 1 printed, and at 1 p.m. the House adjourned.