PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1100, 15 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

i [PER UNITED PRE*SS ASSOCIATION.] Legislative Council. Wellington, Friday. In the Legislative Council yesterday, Mr Olliver stated that the Government would favorably consider any application for refund of £3O duty charged on a Chinese lady, the wife of a Dunedin merchant, and two children who had returned in the s.s. Bowen from a visit to China. Tho Government did not intend this Session to introduce any Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill. The Railways Construction and Land Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The debate on tho Pension Bill was resumed, and on a division tho Bill was thrown out by 13 to 12. House of [Representatives. Wellington, Thursday. In the House of Representatives, replying to questions, Ministers stated that Government could not relax the Arms Act as to purchase of sporting material in one part of tho Colony, but hoped soon to be able to relax or repeal altogether. Of tho vote for defence of ports, only about £9090 is unexpended. The Government have been disappointed in that Col. Scratchley is unable to return to the colony to complete plans and ro-organise the local forces, which was the reason the late Board was appointed. They hoped in a few days to make a statement in regard to the defence of the colony. They would take steps to make I known the danger of poisoning caused I by solder being used inside preserved | meat tins. They ‘ w'ould carefully consider ' means of preventing further accidents i on the Wairarupa line, but could not I

promise to cease running mixed trains on it.

Several new Bills were introduced, and unopposed motions for returning agreed to. The Westland Education District Subdivision Bill (Seddon) was, after considerable discussion, thrown out by 37 to 21.

Nelson College Act Amendment Bill (Shepherd) was finally passed, and the Harbor Board further Empowering Bill was again talked out in committee.

Mr. Smith moved the second reading of the Fencing Act Amendment Bill, which would enable bush settlers to clear half a chain on each side of fences. Mr. Stevens supported the Bill, but Messrs. Beetham, Pyke, Bryce, Hursthouse, and W. C. Buchanan opposed it. The Bill was read a second time without division.

Mr. W. Green moved the second reading of the Hawkers and Peddlers Bill, the main object being to allow hawkers license for any provincial district lo be issued for £3, or for the whole colony for £6. Levestam, Pyke, Fish, Trimble, DeLautour, Duncan, and H. Thompson spoke against the Bill as unfair to local bodies, and to those who paid rates and taxes. Bracken, J. C. Brown, and Shrimski spoke in favor of the Bill, but the second reading was negatived on a division of 56 to 16. On the motion for going into committee on the Gold Duty Abolition Bill (Seddon), Rolleston and Connolly opposed the measure, and Pyke, J. C. Brown, Munro, Hursthouse, and Petrie supported it. On division for motion to go into committee, it was negatived by 40 to 34. Width of Streets and Roads Bill (J. W. Thomson) passed through Committee with slight amendments. The Vagrant Act Amendment Bill (O'Callaghan) was read a third time and passed. Tomoana moved the second reading of Native Committees Empowering Bill. The Maoris wanted authority to settle their own personal differences and their quarrels about land. Bryce did not think these separate Courts for one race desirable ; the subject required great care and consideration. Moss, Turnbull, and Sheehan, expressed approval of the Bill, and Tawhiao, Buchanan, Macandrew, Montgomery, and M. W. Green, spoke in favor of it; while Kelly, Trimble, Pearson, Isaac Wilson, Rolleston, and others spoke against it. The second reading was carried on a division of 38 to 24. The House rose at 1.10. Friday. The House met nt 2.30. Nearly tlie whole afternoon was spent in discussion on the third reading of the Wellington Harbor Board and Corporation Land Act Amendment Bill (private). Ultimately the Bill was read a third time on the voices. Ashburton Couuty Council Empowering Bill (private) was read a third time. A discussion took place on receiving petitions of an informal character in not being signed on each sheet. Feldwick suggested that printed forms and instructions should be sold at nominal prices at each Post Office. Mr O’Callaghan thought instructions might be posted up at Post, Telegraph, and Railway Stations. Major Atkinson undertook to disseminate information on the subject.

The Payment of Members Bill was received by message from tho Governor. The proceedings iu Council were merely formal.