Parliamentary.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43116, 20 July 1907, Page 2

Parliamentary.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, This Day. In (j the House the following bills : Petone Water Supply Conservation, Wanganui Harbour Magistrates Court Act 1893 Amendment, were read the first time. The Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill No. 2 was read a second time pro forma and referred to the mines committee. Pure Food and Public Trust Amendment Bills were read a third time and passed. Rotorua Town Bill was taken in committee. Hon. J. Carroll introduced the second reading of the Tohunga Suppression Bill. On resuming at 7 30, the Land Laws Amendment Bill, Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill, National Endowment Bill were brought down by Governor’s message, were read for the first time Mr Wilford resumed the debate on the Tohunga Suppression Bill, was was continued bv Messrs Ngata, Major and A. Fraser The second reading was agreed to and referred to the Native Affairs Committee for their report. The second reading of' the Police Offences Act Amendment Bill and Products Export Amendment Bill were agreed to on the voices. The Farriers’ Bill was read a third time and passed. The House rose at 9.30 p.m.

STATE COAL MINES. The annual report of the State Coal Mines Department shows that during the year ended March last, the total quantity of coal dealt with was 196,509 tons valued at £158.097. The Point Elizabeth colliery supplied 163,478 tons, valued at £133,525 and the Seddonville colliery 33,030 tons, valued at £24,571. The report states : The excellent quality of this coal is now being realised, and it is much sought after, not only for household purposes, for which it has few, if any, equals, but also as a steam-producer. The demand at present far exceeds the supply, but patience has to be exercised as the development of such a large field has to be gradually and carefully carried out.” The net profit for the year is given as £8460.

UNOCCUPIED LANDS. During the consideration on Thursday night of the Publis Trust Amendment Bill, which gives the Public Trustee certain power in respect to uncared for property, Mr Herries referred to a number of unoccupied areas in the Auckland district, upon which he said noxious weeds were growing. He suggested that power should be given to the Public Trustee to deal with these lands. Mr Tanner said that the matter was already provided for in the Act, and he suggested that there must be some laxity in the Auckland district in dealing with these matters. The Pi t xiier defended the agent of the Public Trustee in Auckland and he was supp jrted by Mr Massey and Mr Bollard, both of. whom, speaking with personal knowledge of that official and his strict attention to duty, said they were sure that there was no dereliction of duty on his part. Mr Massey said that one of the difficulties was with lands the owners of which were known, but which were unoccupied. In many cases, he said, the agent for the Public Trustee was powerless. [