PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. [BY TELEGRAPH— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2181, 1 July 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. [BY TELEGRAPH— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

The Local Bodies and Education. Wki,lix<; ro.v, Tuesday. Thk Opposition made .1 determined fight this after noonvon the clause in the Local Bodies Bill providing that local bodies may rnif>e money for the erection of hchool building.'-. Both the Premier and Treasurer fought hard for the clause, alleging that after all the power proposed to be given was only permissive, and would not bo used unless the necessities of a district required it. Major Atkinson and severa Opposition members strongly opposed it on the giound that the erection of school buildings should be it legitimate charge on the consolidated fund of the colony. On the clause being put the voices were so overwhelming apttinst it that the Premier did not call for a division, and the clause was stinck out of the Bill.

The Representation Question. I have authority for stating with refrence to the Representation Question that (Joverment do not intend introducing a measure providing for a reduction of members on the basis of the 7">00 quot.u The i >ill ministers will bung down will piobably institute automatic machineiy for regulating the distribution of seats after each census is taken. It is .still uncertain whether the mea.su h) will be proceeded with this session or not. I understand that the question will bo left to the House to determine, but the bill is not likely to be brought down till an advanced stage of the session.

No More New Lords. Ministers have found it necessary to give an unqualified denial to the rumours that have been lately in circulation respecting their intention of making .several new appointment-* to the Legislative Council. They state that no new members are to be elevated to the Upper House at present. I may state that the rumours were so generally believed that one of the (Jovernment supported had exprewd his intention <if putting a direct question on the order paper with respect to the special qualifications of those about to be elevated to the Council.

The Railway Committee. The select committee appointed to consider the merits of Mr Vaile's system of railway management are taking \ery voluminous evidence of the whole question. It is expected the committee will report adversely on the proposals. It is rumoured in the Lobbies that the Otago members are resolved to lesist the appropriation of the new Public Woiks loan so far as the Otapfo Central is concerned, .and to insist on their being allowed to construct it by land grants alonar the line, like the Midland Railway. They say they would be content with 30 per cent, of the land instead of o4 granted the Midland as the land is largely agricultural, and is all of good quality.

Going tO WorkWednesday. The House i.s now steadily .settling down to work, and uune progress was made with business, yesterday than .since the opening of the session. Straniro to say, tins despatch of business has been attributed to Jin accident th.it occurred to the electric light .it last night's sitting, when the light mmsuddenly extinguished. The question arose this aftumoon by Mr Dodson calling 1 the Speaker's attention to the fact th.it great relief was expwiienced List night by hon. members in consequence of the Chamber having been lighted, as formerly, with g.is, and the member for W«iir<iu attributed the unusual amount of wurk that was transacted to the fact that members felt so much more inclined to expedite business owing to the absence of the glare of the electric lights all over the chamber, Mr Dodson expressed a fin vent ho] ie on behalf (if himself and many other members, that tho.se lights would be discontinued, and gas again resoited to. Major Atkinson then said he had been compelled to leave the House last night through there not being suthcient light to read the various Bills that were being discussed. He added th.it the elecuis light had been a marked success, and certainly hoped it would not be discontinued. No further notice was takm of the matter, but the electric light was u>ed to-night a.s übual, the accident having Iwii reine hed.

The Native Lanis BillColonel Trimble to-d.iy brought up a report of the Native Aff.iirs Committee on the Native Lands Administration Act, with amendments made by the committee, which are not of a material character. The bill will be considered in committee on Friday, if other business permits.

Duration of the Session. It is expected th.it the session will not close, after all, till early in August. Ministers state that Government lulls alone will occupy three weeki in dUcussion, exclusive of the Ctiiuinal Code Bill and Representation Bill, both of which are regarded as unlikely to be proceeded with.

The Kail way Committee. The Vaile Railway Committee are not expected to repoit for three weeks, «is it will be fully that time before a sectional return of the passengers can be furnished by the Railway Department. The committee to-day decided to call Mr Conyers, Mr Edmonds, and another expert from Auckland to give evidence.

A Much Needed Amendment. Mr D. Reids bill to amend the Employ, ers Liability Act seeks to remove ;iu injustice which may arise under that Act. Under the present law no compensation for injury received by a work man from a defect in machinery and plant, or for negligence by a contractor can be recovered from such contractor unlend notice bo Riven in writing within six weeks of the time of the accident. Mr Reid .say* this law has alieady caused groat hardship on a man named 1). Hoogan, who met with a permanent injuiy while in the employment of the Wellington Corporation. The man was confined to his bed for several months and, in ignoi.inco of the Act, omitted to give notice within h\ weeks. He brought an action, and the Corpomtion successfully pleaded the statute in bar. He is now a cripple for life through the accident. He petitioned Parliament to amend the law so us to admit this case being hoard by the Conit, but the Government iof used to grant tlio request. Mr "Reids bill provides that want of notice of injury shall be no bai to an action foi compensation if the Judge shall be of opinion that thero was reasonable eveiise for such want of notice.

Messrs \V. J. Hunter and Co. will hold their next Cambridge cattle .sale on July Hth, and the Cambridge horse mtfo on the 10th.