LATEST PARLIAMENTARY

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3013, 11 October 1878, Page 2

LATEST PARLIAMENTARY

(Per Pbess Agency.)

HOUSE OJE\ REPRESENTATIVES

After Dinner Sitting. ■

WELLINGTON,

This day. BILLS PASBED. In the House last night the following Bills were passed:—Repeals, Friendly Societies, Otago and Southland Education Reserves, Public Reserves, Sale of Dangerous Goods Amendment, Disqualification IN' o. 2, Thames Harbor Board. PUBLIC LIBBABIES. On the second reading of the Public Libraries and Literary Institutions Bill, Mr Bowen condemned the bill, as centralistic. Mr Stout said the bill was necessary in order to constitute distributing bodies to spend the money voted this session. The bill was postponed in consequence of the Speaker tuling that the Upper House had exceeded" its privileges in dealing with the appropriation clauses in the bill, which should have originated, in the Lower Chamber. . OTAGO SCHOOL BILL. The Otago School Commissioners Empowering Bill was read a second time. COMPANIES ACT. When the House was in Committee on the Joint Stock Companies Amendment, which proposed to enable benevolent and religious societies to be formed on a nonspeculative basis; and carry on business for "purposes of promoting commerce, arts, science, religion, charity, or any other useful object/ Mr Pyke took exception to the intended application of terms, which would enable these societies to go intoeven goldmining, and moved that the Speaker leave the chair, which was carried on a division by 25 to 15, shelving the bill. PEOGEESS OF BUSINESS. The Debtors and Creditors Amendment Bill was read a-, second time, aud- the Local Judicature Bill was withdrawn. The Bicecutive Councillors and Licensing Bill's.were also withdrawn. '

Mr Stout said the Government would ■prepare a Licensing Bill for next session, and, if possible, circulate copies before the meeting of Parliament. He said also the Government intended to proceed with the Native Lands Bill, and also the bill to regulate the sale of alcohol in. native districts.

The Special Powers and Contracts Bill was read a second time, and the Jury Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, Mr Stout promising to consider the •expediency of abolishing the grand jury system, and render special jurors liable to serve on common juries. The' District Kailways Act Amendment Bill was read a second time ; the Otago University Amendment Bill ditto, and, the House adjourned at one. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Electoral Bill was postponed in tie Council last night in consequence of a question being raised whether exceptional legislation in respect of the Maori franchise is not antagonistic to the Constitution Act. • '- In the Municipal Amendment Bill the minimum width of private streets was fixed at forty feet.