YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1273, 26 August 1880, Page 2

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING.

Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30. The Board reported that a conference of both Houses was agreed that the election petition should be tried by two judges of the Supreme Court, and that in the event of a diversity of opinion, the decision should be in favor of the sitting memberMr Hutchinson gave notice of motion, "That the 10 per cent, reductions should not apply to salaries of £150 and under." Replying to questions, it was stated that if occasion arose at Okarito provision would be made for the harbor, and for judicial, telegraphic, postal, and other public requirements of the district. — An examination had been made, and it was found that only a very few railway employes were affected with colorblindness. In future notice in that respect would be taken of persons applying for employment on the railways. The following bills were introduced and read a first time :—Native: — Native School Sites Bill, and a Bill to Amend the Financial Arrangements Act, 1878. The Deceased Persona Estates Duties Bill was recommitted and reported with further amendments, read a third time and passed. The Beer Duties Bill was also recommitted with the view of reconsidering clauses 38 and 51 in committee. jGlause 38 wan amended by the additioif, " and iv each case shall be similarly marked the number of imperial gallons it is capable of holding." Clause 51 was struck out. The bill was reported with these amendments. On the motion for the third reading Messrs Macaudiew, Pyke, and Reves protested against the measure, the former suggesting as an appropriate title it should be cailed " a bill to discourage local industry, and to iiiflicb loss and penalties on brewers." The motion for thesthird reading was carried and the Bill passed. Mr Hall said that after the reductions made in the beer tax, the Government could not afford to go on with the explanations proposed by the Property Assessment Amendment Bill. They would ask that the Bill be further considered in committee, with the view of simply carrying the amendment schedules. He would ask the House to resist any attempt at reducton or exemption, as the country as things had transpired could not possibly afford any. In committee Mr Saunders moved, ' 'That clause two be amended, so as to make the exemption apply to farm implements and dairy cattle and sheep." Mr Hall moved, that progress be reported, .-titinu 1 that the Government would endeavor to simplify the schedules in soma other way. Sir George Givy objected. The deb.it 1 } wai interrupted by the <5. '10. adjournment.