PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2873, 9 June 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [By Telegraph.] Wellington, Juno 8. The Council met at 3p.m. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr Stevens, tlio Hon Mr Oliver said Government would take all possible steps, to prevent the introduction of phylloxera into New Zealand, and would obtain information from Victoria with reference to it. < KETUEN. On Mr G. It. Johnston’s motion, a return was ordered of the expenditure and revenue in connection with the Native Land Court for the last two years - HILLS. - The Sheriffs Act 1858 Amendment Bill (Mr Whitaker), and the Education Act 1877 Amendment Bill (Mr Moazies) were road a first time. The Corrupt Practices* Prevention Act 1881 Amendment Bill, was read a second time, and the Bank and Bankers Act Amendment Bill a third time. . THE ROTORUA LANDS. Mr P. Buckley stated that the conditions of leases to bo executed by the purchasers of Rotorua, were far more stringent than they had been led to believe from a book on the subject published by the Government. On his motion a return was ordered of all documents on the subject. THE WESTPOUT COLLIERIES. Mr Holmes moved that this Council is of opinion that in order to utiliso tbo extensive deposits of steam and gas coal on iho Wcsf Coast of the Middle Island it is desirable Unit steps should bo taken without delay to complete the improvement of the harbor of Westport so that ships of large tonnage may be able to take in full cargoes for foreign ports and proceed to sea without delay.

The debate on the motion was interrupted by the adjournment. of the Council at 4.45 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ; The House met at 2.30 p.m. MOTIONS. ' Mr Moss gave notice that he would introduce a -Bill entitled the Tenants Fixtures Act, 1882. Mr Weston moved the adjournment of the House at its rising at 5.30 p.m. until to-morrow;,-and. it was.arranged that private members’ Bills set down for to-day should be taken up to-mor-rowr NEW BILLS. The following Bills were ’ introduced and read a first timeOffences against the Persons Act Amendment; Westland High School (Mr Weston); Christchurch Alignment of Streets (Mr H. Thompson) ; To permit City and Borough Councils to Insure "'Buildings within their respective Boundaries against fire; ; the-Contagious Diseases Acti TofiJ (Mr Hutchison). , BILL PASSED. The Auckland Harbor Board Empowering Bill was passed through Committee, read a third time, and passed. THE KAITAKGATA RELIEF FUND, Mr Joyce moved- that a committee should be appointed to enquire whether the conditions on : which: money had been subscribed to the fund had’ been fulfilled. He disapproved, in common with'many subscribers, of the manner in which the trust bad" been Administered. Hie Hon. Mr Dick defended the trustees. -The surplus was now in their hands ponding a .recurrence of colliery accidents. This arrangement ’ was understood by subscribers, Mr Kelly thought the authority of Parliament was required to reassure the public. Otherwise no one would respond to appeals of .the kind from fear of misappropriation of funds by trustees. •..;■■■■■ Messrs Peacock and : Holmes supported this view, as did Messrs Shepherd and Rutherford. The Hon. Mr Rolloston saw no occasion for interference, now the matter had been brought up the trustees would be sure to give a full statement of ,theip reasons. Mr Montgomery pointed out certain wordsmthe motion about misappropriation of public funds. He suggested that that allusion should be expunged. He moved, an amendment affirming the necessity for enabling the trustees to appropriate the surplus funds. ■ Mr Fitzgerald considered the motion premature,and considered as unwarrantable the aspersions which had been cast upon the trustees. Mr Joyco intimated he would accept the amendment. He meant to cast no reflection upon the. trustees except as to the mode in which they had administered their trust. • The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment.