N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Argus, Volume XV, Issue 6039, 12 September 1903, Page 2

N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. YESTERDAY. THE Council met at 2.30 p.m. STA.IE FIRE INSURANCE. The whole of the ufternoon was taken up with th« debate on the State Fire Insurance Bill, which wua further adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, j YESTERDAY. | The House met at 2.30 p.m. ] LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Mr McLachlan was granted leave of absence for oue week. SUPREME COUET BENCH. Mr Seddon anuounced that the Government had accepted Justice Conoliy's ' resignation, and that Mr P. Chapman ; had beeu appointed to the vacancy. FEL'CITATIONS. Mr Seddon congratulated Mr Massey upon his election as Leader of the Opposition. Mr Massey suitably replied, and promised that no fractious opposition to business would emanate from his side of the House. DR. BAKEWELL. The Public Petitions Committee reported that it had no recommendation to make in the case of Dr. Bakewell, of Auckland, who claimed an allowance for services as medical officer during the Boer war. Mr Seddon intimated that, in accordance with instructions fr >m the lmpeml authorities, the money had been paid. REINSTATED. The Defence Department, Crown Grants Act Amendment, and the Testator's Family Maintenance Bill, which had passed the Legislative Council but were struck off the Order Paper of the House on the ground that the Council had no power to initiate measures of this nature, were re»introduced and read a first time. QUESTIONS. The Opposition entered a vigorous protest against the postponement of replies to questions. Mr Seddon replied that not one of the questions on the Order Paper was worth printer's ink. FIRST READING. The Native Township A„t Amendment Bill was introduced by Mr Carroll and read a first time. BUSH AND SWAMP LANDS. The remainder of the afternoon and the whole of the evening sitting was taken up with the consideration in Committee of the Bush aud Swamp Crown Linds Bill, which passed through the or.ieal without amendment. INTERPROVINCIAL. (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION). Napier, Last Night. In the Supreme Court to-day Andrew McLuckie, charged with attempting to murder his wife and daughter, was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment. This Day. A ir.au named Thomas Houston has been drowned in the Moawhanga River, which has been dragged without result. Gisbokne, This Day. At the Supreme Court a native about 30 years of a;*", was acquitted on a charge of indecent assault on a girl. Dcnedin, This Day. The Trades and Labour Council have passed a resolution heartily congratulating Mr Justice Chapman on his elevation to the Bench. HoEiTiKi, This Day. In connection with the discovery of the body of a male infant in the Hokitika River, an elderly woman named MeLaughlun and a young girl named Louisa Harding have been arrested on a charge of manslaughter. Chkisichurcu, This Day. The local bntcners, acting upon legal advice, have withdrawn their opposition to the municipal abattoirs. Several local bakers, when interviewed, said the trade was in great difficulties, the margin of profit on bread was small, and that the master hakers had worked hard for light returns. They asserted that the Millers' Association had no control over the b.ikers, and they thought Mr T. fe\ T»ylor had been misinformed. The general opinion was that the bakers could not be more free than at present.