PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3966, 14 September 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Tele&baph.]

(FBOM OUE SPECIAL COBBESPONDEHT.) Wellington, This day.

Mr Stewart, the member for the city of Diinedin, has a notice on the Order Paper for a material amendment of the 349 th clause of the Municipal Corporations Ace, 1876, and which, if adopted, will empower Municipal Councils to prevent or regulate the blasting of rock or timber within boroughs, to prevent obstructions in public places or rivers, to prevent unauthorised bill posting, to compel cleaning aud keeping clean of private premises, to prerent the pollution of wells or water courses, to punish drivers of vehicles for injury to property by negligence, to prevent driving of goats or dogs in harness, to inflict increased penalties on careless drivers of vehicles, to stop dog fighting and window breaking, to license skittle alleys, bowling saloons, and rifle galleries, to suppress brothels, and generally to more effectually abate nuisances. The Premier gave a curt but significant reply to a question asked in the House yestejday by Harris, whether Government uu'd received any correspondence from Sir J. Vogel during the lust or present month. Ho said there had been a letter received, but he had really not yet had time to consider or reply to it. Sir Geo. Grey moved yesterday " For copies of books containing applications for pre emption rights in North and South Canterbury, together with a return of pre-empti?e rights subsequently purchased, with names of purchaser, date of purchase, and the amount paid in each instance, and that same be printed for the use of Parliament." ' As these copies would make a decent load for any full bodied porter, and the cost of their production would be altogether in excess of their utility, the Premier opposed the motion, and very properly. It is said the Government had in contemplation this session to introduce a measure giviDg them- authority to take possession of all endowments in the colony for secondary education, consolidate the grants, &c, and manage the schools by a Central Board.