PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 239, 19 September 1884, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Pek Press Association.) Legislative Council. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, In the Legislative Council The Colonial Secretary said Government had no intention this session to repeal the Crown and Native Lands Eating Act, and the Eoads and Bridges Construction Act, nor to repeal or modify the Thermal Springs Act. Returns. On the ’motion of Mr. Lahraan, a return was ordered showing the expenditure out of loan on the Greymouth harbor works during the financial years 1882-3 and 1883-4. House of Representatives. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18. The House met at 2.30. Bills Adopted. The Perpetual Trustees Estate and Agency Company’s of New Zealand Bill was adopted as reported. Replies to Questions. Replying to questions put it was stated As country volunteers had only to parade four times a year, and garrison volunteers twelve times, Government would not make the capitation allowance in the one case the same as in the other. Government had under consideration the propriety of reserving Native lands in the vicinity of the Main Trunk Railway line from sale, and proposals re dealing in lands ten miles on each side of the line would be made during the session. Government was disposed to deal fairly with unemployed persons desirous of securing work. A South Island Native Reserves Bill would not be introduced this session. Colonial coal would be exclusively used in institutions under the control of the Government. The Collingwood mine being private property, Government would not undertake to provide means for connecting it with deep water. There was no intention to elect a committee of North Island members to considei the East and West Coast railway. Sir Julius Vogel further explained that Government proposed to bring down a bill this session to encourage the work being taken up by private enterprise. A bill for imposing a duty on boiled fruit would not be provided for this session. ■ The application of William Fox, goldfields discoverer, would be considered in connection with his petition. New Bills. The following bills were introduced and read a first time:— West Harbor Borough Empowering (Macandrew). To amend the laws relating to native lands (Pere). Middle Island East and West Coast, and Nelson Railway (Vogel). Alienation of Land (Connolly). Second Readings. The Timaru Market and City of Dunedin Leasing Powers Bill were read a second lime. Third Readings. The following were passed through Committee, read a third time, and passed:— Auckland College and Grammar School Act Amendment. Hokitika Racecourse Reserve. Napier Harbor Board Loan Empowering. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The Members Honararium Reduction Bill, which provided that members of the House who sat in the last session should receive only half the honorarium, was thrown out by 42 to 23.

Mr. Steward moved the Licensing Act Amendment Bill, the piincipal point of which were triennial elections for licensing committees, compensation where licenses were taken away, abolishing of bottle licenses, and imprisonment of “ prohibited persons ” should they get intoxicated. Mr. Fergus moved that the Bill be read that day six months. Mr. Smith suggested that the licensing lists be enlarged, and that the franchise be extended so that every man and woman in a licensing district should have a vote in an election for a committee.

The debate was continued until 12.30, when a division was taken on the motion for second reading. Ayes, 38; noes, IG. The second reading was carried. Mr. Smith moved the second reading of the Schools Inspection Bill, explaining that its objects were to provide for the appointment of School Inspectors by the Governor, and for shifting of Inspectors once in every three years. Mr. Ballance asked the House to reject the bill. The motion for second reading was lost by 25 to 21. The bill was thrown out.