HOUSE OF EEPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5166, 7 August 1885, Page 2

HOUSE OF EEPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The following bills were introduced :-— The Property Law Consolidation Act 1883 Amendment Bill (Tole); the Bankruptcy Act 1883 Ameudment Bill (Tole); the Auckland Harbor Board Bill (Tole). Mr Ormond gave notice to ask—" What reply Government had received to the cablegram sent to the delegates in London asking for further information re terms for the construction of the East and West Coast Railway ?" The House went into committee on the Taoranga Harbor Board Bill, which was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. Mr Beetham moved, "That in the opinion of this House provision should be made by the Legislature for the payment of witnesses for defendants in criminal cases." He pointed out that provision had been made to meet the difficulty both in England and America. The Minister for Justice had promised to look into the matter last session, but no action had been taken. He instanced a case in which a witness had to attend at the Napier Court from Castlepoint; the result was that he not only lost his expenses, but his employment also.-—Mr Tole said the matter had not escaped his notice, but it would involve a very heavy expenditure, which he thought the House would not sanction. The Employment of Females Act was re-committed, and amendments made pro viding that females and young persons shall" not be made to work for more than ten hours per day, and that no work shall be done before 6 a.m. nor after 8 p in.— The Bill was reported with amendments, read a Third time, andpassed. The Financial Arrangements Act Amendment Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed. The Adulteration Act Extension Act was read a second time. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Lives of Children Preservation Bill, which was to abolish the sale of poisonous matches.—Mr Kerr opposed the Bill, and moved that it be read six months hence.—Mr Sutter said it was a ridiculous measure, and the House should not be asked to sanction it.—Mr Stout thought Sir G. Grey would do some good in drawing attention to the subject, as he (iVIr Stout) had received a report froraDr Hector to the effect that it was not necessary to use poisonous matter in the manu faeture of matches. He hoped the second reading would be carried, even if the Bill went no further.—After further discussion the second reading was carried on a division by 24 to 20. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Justices of the Peace Bill. He said the Bill would relieve Government from great difficulty, and be acceptable to a large number of people.—Mr Tole, as a private member, supported the Bill. He knew of nothing which came uuder the functions of the Minister of Justice more distasteful than the appointments of Justices of the Peace.—Messrs Bruce, Samuel, Steward, Kerr, Boss, Holmes, and Menteith spoke against the Bill, while Messrs O'Connor aud Seddoa supported it.—On a division, the second reading was lost by 31 to 35. This day. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Contempt of Court Bill, which was to limit the extraordinary powers now possessed by Judges of the Supreme Court regarding contempt of Court.—The Premier opposed the bill, as it was a slap at the Supreme Court, to which we must look for maintaining law and order in the highest degree.—The bill was rejected by 16 to 19. * The Enforcement of Judgments Bill was read a second time. The Mining Companies Act 'Amendment Act passed through committee, read a third time, and passed. The second reading of the Limitation of Votes Bill was read a second time by 29 to 12. • Mr Downio Stewart moved the second reading of the Pawnbrokers Act Amendment Bill, and after a short discussion, it was found impossible to keep a quorum of (he House, and the debate was adjourned. The House rose at 12 40 a.m.