EVENING SITTING.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3024, 24 October 1878, Page 2

EVENING SITTING.

This day. TOWNS ON FBITATE LANDS BILL.

In the House last night four hours were spent in Committee on the Towns on Private Lands Regulation Bill. One section of the House determinedly re* sisted the passage of the measure through Committee, and at every stage divided on amendments designed to shelve the Bill. The only material amendment made was one reducing the maximum width of streets to sixty-six feet instead of ninetynine.

At a late hour Mr Sheehan appealed to the member in charge of the Bill (Mr Thomson) to withdraw it, in order to allow more important business to be prooeeded with, promising that the Govern*

ment would consider the question during the recess. .

Dr Hodgkinson hoped the Bill would not be sacrificed to a tyrannical minority, and that Mr Thompson would nail his colors to the mast. ' '

Mr Barff charged the opponents of the Bill with being actuated by motives of Bel f"interest in private townships retrospective and prospective. Mr Thomson said the importance of the measure, and the support it had received justified him in pressing the Bill. i Several other motions in rapid succession for reporting progress, and that the chairman leave the chair were negatived on divisions, but ultimately Mr Shrimski I again moved that the chairman vacate the chair, which was carried by 35 to 34, and | the bill was shelved. . OTHER BILLS. The District Law Societies' Bill and Ashburton High School Bill were passed. Progress was made with the Ohehunga Grammar School and Thames High School Bills.

SATTJBDAY BITTINff. The Premier gave notice to move that the House sit on Saturday. The House adjourned at 1.5 a.m.