LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, Tuesday.

Waikato Times, Volume 354, Issue VII, 20 August 1874, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, Tuesday.

In the Legislative Council, the Lyttelton Gas Bill was read a thirdt time and passed. * > The socond reading on the New Zealand Forest Bill was moved by the Colonial Secretary. The Hon Mr Waterhouse objected to the Council, ' being called upon to sanction such an illusion as that, of this bill, by. which the colpnial,debt might be wiped of' •»• - -..!,' i. .The-Ho;i Mr Holmes thought the bill .was highly desirable, and calculated to be beneficial irrespective of its mercantile success. The Hon Mr Mantell thought it was a futile attempt on the part of the Government to do what was beyond their functions, and could only be a success in providing billets for adherents. The lion Captain Eraser was pleased with the bill and would have been more so had it come before them in its entirety. The Hon Mr Buckley supported the bill and regretted that it did not go far enough. ; The Hon Mr Menzies opposed the bill, as he thought forests could not be conserved by any action taken by the Government. The Hou Mr Bobinson spoke in favor of the measure as he knew by experience the advantage of forest planting. The Hon Mr Bonar thought the object of the bill a highly desirable one/ and gave it his cordial support. • The . Hon. Mt also supported the measure. The measure was carried on the voices, and the bill read a second time.