PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3891, 20 August 1891, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20.

THE QUILL PETITION. The Petitions Committee r«com« mended that an annuity of £SO ha granted to Thomas Quill, the father of the young man who was killed while exploring on the West Coast. NBW PLTMOUTH HARBOR BOARD. Mr Saunders brought up the report of the Public Aecounts Committee on the correspondence as to the payment of interest by this Board, which recommended the Government to take uo action in the matter. Mr G. Hutchison presented the report of the New Plymouth Harbor Board Loans Committee, asking Colony to take over the debts of the" Board, and proposed that it be referred to the Government to earry out their recommendations. The debate was adjourned till Wed* nesday next, and the report waa ordered to be printed in the meanwhile. VENTILATION. Mr Wilson said the cold on hia ride of the House was so iutense that they all had colds, and found it impoiiib'e to sit there. Several members similar complaints, and Mr R, H. . Reeves complained of a s4 Hry bad smell in the lobbies.—The Minister for Public Works said the alterations were in progress, but were not completed. PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS. The Minister for Public Works, in reply to Mr Macdonald, said the Acting 'Sngineer-in-Chief had reported that a recent examination-showed that, though some of the joists might show signs of decay, the foundation piles, wall plates, &c, were in a sound state. Some of the piles, however, would have to be removed. He (the Minister) had made a further examination, and found that the piles had not been overhauled, and new piles would be placed under the building.

NOAHAUBANQA. The Postmaster-General informed Dr Newman that he would obthin information and subsequently decide aa to establishing a telegraph office or telephone bureau at Ngahauranga, NEW BILLS. Mr Duthie introduced the Welling, ton Boys' Institute Bill, which wu read a first time.

PRIVATE MEMBERS BUSINESS. The Premier moved tint Thursday (to-day) be set apart for private members business, which was agreed to after a short discussion. GOVERNMENT LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Premier moved the second reading of this Bill, which is to enable the Government to advance money to local bodies to enable them to carry on the work of colonisation, such advances to be a first charge on the proceeds of the disposal of land. Mr Rhodes said tho most serious objection to the Bill was that it practically gave, Bay £50,000 to the Minister of Lands to spend where he pleased. It was not asking him to bay votes, bat it gave his more power than any Minister ought to have. Several other members having criticised the Bill, the Premier said the idea of the Bill was that the Got* eminent could borrow at four per cent, lend out at five per cent, and so pro* vide a sinking fund to pay off their own debt. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. TRUCK BILL, The amendments proposed in this Bill by the Legislative Council were then considered, and agreed to after a short discussion. HARBIAQE ACT AMENDMENT BILL, This Bill was re-committed, and • slight verbal amendment made.

CONSOLIDATED STOCK BILL. The House went into committee on this Bill, which was ordered to be reported without amendment.

lunatics act amendment bill, The House went into committee OB this Bill. Clause 5, empowering a medical officer to send a destitute discharged lunatic to a benevolent institution, was struck out.— Mr. W. Hutchison proposed the insertion of* new clause providing for the frequent examination of a suppose! lunatio in a hospital, in order, as he said, that care might be taken that no person should be incarcerated in a lunatio asylum who was not really a lunatic—The Hon, 4 Mr Cadman hoped the hon. member would not press the amendment.— Several members expressed disapproval of the proposed clause, and it was ultimately negatived on the voices. —Mr W. Hutchison proposed tha appointment of at least six official visitors of good repute to each public asylum, which was negatived on the voices, . MINING BILL. This Bill was further considered in committee.—The various amendment! proposed by the Goldfields Committee were agreed to with but alight verbal amendments. Progress was then repot ted, and the Bills previously considered in com* mittee were read a third time and passed. The House rose at 1.35 a.m.