PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 190, 22 August 1901, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wbdhbsdat, 218T August. The Council met at 2.30. The Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1901, was re»d a first time. Hon. Oi mocd moved for a return of all sire horses imported by the Government f o date, wi*h their cost landed in the colony, the class, where each horse > was stationed, and fees. The mover sad there were ma y better'horses in tbe coloDy than those imported, aud he doubtel if sufficient care had Doen taken in selecting the horses imported. The Minister for Agriculture said the boras were selected by the best men in tbe Government service, and the hoi B*B were carefully chosen with a view to introducing the best new bleod strains. He promised to furnish the returns asked for. Hod. Ormoad's motion asking for a return bhowing the quantity and nature of lands purchased under the Lasd for Settlement Act was further discussed, and carried. The Wellington Harbour Board Act, 1879, Amendment Bill passed its final s'ages.

Amotion by Hon. W. C. Walker that the Council do not insist on its amendments in the Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill was carried, and the Council rose at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Wedhesday, 21st August. Tbe House met at 2.30. In tbe absence of Sir G. M. O'Rorke, Mr. Guinners toak the chair. Threw days' of absence was granted to Mr. Withef ord en account of illness. Hon. J. Carroll gave notice to introduce the Maori Ltnds Administration Act Amendment Bill. The Greytown Reserves Vesting acd Disposal Enabling and Levels, and th« Waimate Counties Boundaries Bills were introduced and read a first time.

Replying to questions, Mr. Seddon, who. was asked if he would consider the advisableness of amending the Workers Compensation for Accidents Aot with a view of making it clear as to whether farm labourers came under its provisions, saH he was quite satisfied tba Act did not apply to that class J of labourer, and that it was owing to the action of self-interested insurance agents that an impression to the contrary effect had been spread amongst farmers. Other Ministers replied to questions, slating that funds were not at present available for establishing an iron fonnkary at the Hill aide Workshop;; that an effort would be made to have native names of railway stations correctly spelt; that inquiries would be made .as to the necessity of erecting a lighthouse at Oeo Point, TaranaM; that the question of pay and hoars of service of attendants at lunatic asylums was under consideration by the Government. In reply to questions as to how it is that SI ar'isans and 1052 labourers a'e employed on the North Island Main Trunk railway line, while only 18 atisans and 404 labourers are employed on the Midland railway, nine artfeans and 248 labourers on the Blenheim-Waipsra line, and 36 artisans and 484 labourers on the Otago Central line, Hon. Hall-Jones said

that-facilities for placiog men on the #.- ground and the importance of the work 1* was the reason why the North Island trunk line was so fully manned. Other quest ioDB elicited answers that. in the event.of the Government sc-' quiring 16,000 acres of the Lyndon estate a report wou'd be obtained aR to the advif ableoess of reserving land for 8 Mil way from Culysrden to tbeHanmer plaißs; that the Native Lands Administration Act passed last session wou'd shortly he brought into force. The House adjourned at 5.30.