Evening Sitting.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3387, 30 October 1879, Page 2

Evening Sitting.

The House resumed at 7.30. ONE OF THE LITTLE MO3 TO THE FJIONT AGAIN. Col. Trimble moved the second reading of the Waitara Harbor Board Land and Borrowing Bill. i Mr DeLautour objected to the Bill; He said the Government had neglected its duty in not deciding what harbors were of colonial importance. That ought to have been the first step, and it was monstrous that.harbors of importance, like.those of Dunedin, Wellington, &c, should be, practically speaking, neglected, and minor harbors richly endowed. This was only one of a whole flood of similar Bills with which the House was in danger of being inundated. He would oppose the framing of the Bill.

Mr Moorhouse protested against the borrowing powers sought for by the Bill.

Mr liichardson pointed out that the borrowing powers had to be exercised under the provisions of tlie Act of 1878, and that was, to his mind, a sufficient safeguard.

Mr Turnbull contended that fuller information,, together with plans, etc., ought to have been placed before the House, He would not; however, oppose the motion.

Mr Hall said this was a Bill the Government had carefully considered, and the surrounding circumstances were such as to justify them in thinking the measure should pass. The motion was put and carried.

Mr Macandrew rose to a question of breach of privilege.. A motion had been tabled by Mr McLean in reference to the Island of Kawau, and he considered it a gross insult to one of the most distinguished members of the House. The Speaker, interrupting Mr Macandrew, ruled that he could not be heard further on tho point. Mr Macandrew said that he wished to move a motion on the subject, and the motion was to this effect, that the member for Waikouaiti in placing a motion of this kind on tbe Order Paper, and then deliberately absenting himself from the House so as to allow it to lapse was guilty of the grossest breach of the privileges of Parliament, and merited the severe censures of the House. The Speaker ruled the motion could not be listened to, and the subject dropped. FOB TVOEKING MKN'B CLUBS. On the motion of Sir Gr. Grey, Sites for Working Men's Clubs Bill was read a second time. PBOMCTIOK FOB BBAIW WOBK. Mr Sheehan moved the second reading of the Dramatic Works Copyright Bill. Mr Bolleston said Government approved of the Bill and thought it was one which should be framed. The motion was put and carried. Mr Steven* moved the second reading of the Chmtchurch Drill Shed Bill. The motion was adopted. . Mr McDonald moved the second reading of the Native Lawsuits Bill. .Motion adopted.

BILL PASSED. The Masterton and Grejrtown Lands Management Act 1871 Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. LICENSING LAWS. The adjourned debate on the Licensing Laws Amendment Bill was renewed. Mr Dick said he believed the feeling in New Zealand, like the feeling in the Home country, was in the direction of local option. He did not consider it a complete measure, still he looked upon it as a step in the right'direction. -The objection taken to certain provisions in the Bill could, and might very properly be remedied in committee. He thought that once a year aa provided for by the bill was sufficient for opportunities being had to establish licensed houses. He thought the Compensation Clause under judicious restrictions was a wise provision, for men hayioft erected houses at considerable expense, and the license being only granted from year to year gave a kind of % claim for compensation if tho renewal of the license was refused without any fault on the part of holder. He agreed with j the objections stated to the constitution of the Licensing Court, but ho did not Tery well see how the.defection was to be remedied. Mr Oliver said that this was not a Government question, but believing as he did that a number of the more objectionable clauses would be amended in Committee, he would support the motion. Mr Speight approved of the restraining principles of the measure, • but strongly objected to the question of compensation. Mr Shrimski opposed the motion. Mr Seddon spoke in favor of local option, also Mr Pitt, and Mr Fulton, who followed, spoke in support of the Bill. The House was left sitting at mid: night. ■..■■■