PARLIAMENTARY. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] TUESDAY'S SITTINO.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1264, 5 August 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] TUESDAY'S SITTINO.

Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30.

BORROWING BY LOCAL BODIES. My. "Wright moved, "That the report of the committee on the Ashburton County Couucil Waterworks Bill be agreed to." Mr. Hii'st, submitted that it would be improper for the Hoim< to authorise further borrowing by local bodies Ho pointed out that the security proposed was not adequate, argtrng that this 'was a point for the consideration of Parliament inasmuch as the creditor would look to the colony ju the eveut of the local body not being able to meet its engagement-*. Mr. ifall baid the water wa>, wanto I for irrigation, ami the sealers were willing to rate themselves for the purpose. Wh it they wanted was to -borrow 4M0.000 on security of the rates, and he thought it would be cruel to refuse it The motion was carried. Mr. Andrews give notice that he wo'ild move for a committee to inquire by Avh.it nmus the correspondent of the IVss, of (Jhristchurch, and other papers got p'session of a copy of Dr. Suae's report on lunatic asylums last night.

EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Mi* Fyke moved for leave to introduce a .Bill to amend the Education Aofc, 18/8 The motion was aimed on the voices, and the Bill read a first time.

BILLS INTRODUCED. The following Bills wereiutioduced and read a first time :—A. Bill to permit the Boroughs of Cay. r&ham, South Dunedin, and St. Kildato amalgamate (Mr Barron); Miscellaneous Native Claims Bill (Mr Bryce).. Mr Hall said the Public Works Statement would be brought down to-morrow evening. They would go on with the Public "Works Estimates, and, having got through them, would state the Bills they meant to pass. When the Hou«e rose ho would ask leave to sit to-morrow at 11 a.m. for the consideration of the Native Lands < 'ourt Bill. The House adjourned at 5 30. The House resumed at 7.30.

NATJVE LANDS COURT BILL. The Native Lands Court Bill was further considered iv committee. The clause providing that natives aggrieved may apply for a rehearing witlim six months was altered to three months, on division, by 23 to 4i. Colonel Trimble moved an addition to clause 49, empowering the Court to tax bills of costs incurred in connection with these proceedings similar to the power exercised by the Supreme Court. Sir TV. Fox wouM go further, and make it an absolute penal offence for a land agent or solicitor to take more than the amount alowed by the Court. It was no uncommon thing 1 for arrangements to be made before hand for a lump sum, and the Maori chiefs in sonic cases wore so very honorable th.it they would pay exo bitft'it Bums rather than appear to break their word. The clans as amended was carried. On clause 57, Mr Luudon want' d tin Avoid "intotlocutorv" (order) struck out. Ho complained that the \\ onl cDbt him £1000, 'and a word that cost the country so much money ought not to be retained in the Bill. The clause as printed w« passed. On clause o'O, Mr Jb'i&her moved, " That the Avord ' Governor' be substituted for ' Chief Justice.' 0 ' In supporting the proposal Mr Sheehan slid the appointment of interpreter was moit important, and therefore he should be free trom the influences of the Court. Mr Rollesuon slid he was strongly of opinion that the appointment should ba with the Court, aud nor, as propo>od, with the Governor. Mr Gisborne moved the addition of the words after Governor "on the recommendation of the Chief Justice." This was negatived on the voices. It was further mo\ed that the words "or Chief Justice" bo inserted alter the word " Governor." Thi-> was lo^t on division — 2G to 31. Clause 61 was amended to make it correspond with the amendment made in tho preceding clause. Clau-e 63, an amendment that the words " and the Court may at any stage withdiaw such assent" was rojrcted by 33 to 31. A further amendment, <% thit no counsel or ag°nt be allowed to appear in the Court,' 1 was negatived on a division by 32 to 22. Mr .Stewart moved — " That the clause be struck out.'' ho said no ip&peetable practitioner would attend Coiut from which he might be excluded at the whim of the Native Laud Cnurb Judge. The motion was 10->t by 13 to li. The clause, as printed, was pas-Jed. Clause Oi. Mr Bowen moved— "That the clause read, ' that no pcinnn be allowvd to hull spirituous liquoiv, &<\, instead of making it a rule optional at the di>-c oLion of the Judge. 1 " In support of tho clause, as punned, Mr. tSheehau said he had just come from an attendance of two months on c c of these Courts and could oay from observation that if the hotels had boon shut the work would have been got through in half tho time. At thu solicitation of a number uf persona, he had been instrumental in gctt'ng the hotels closed for two daya, and more wurk was got through in one day than had been got through during the rest of the time. .Still it was necessary that the closing be optional. It was moved that these Oourts Should have the power of Licensing Courts, The last-named motion was cai ried, and the clause as amended was parsed. The remainder of tho Bill was passed as printf d. At 1 a.m. the House adjourned.