HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 2794, 28 July 1903, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, July 23rd.

Mr Ell gave notice to introduce the Totilisator Abolition Referendum Bill.

The following Bills wero introduced and read a first time :—Wairewa County Bill (Mr Ell), Fine Arts Act Amendment (Mr Field), Patriotic Funds (Right Hon. R. J. Seddon), and Clutha Flood Relief Fund Trustees Empowering (Righ 1 . Hon. R. J. Seddon).

In connection with the Wairewa County Bill the Premier stated that he would oppose any alteration in existing counties or constitution of new counties.

A Bill to provide for mining under kauri gum reserves was introduced by Governor's message, and read a first time.

A Bill to provide for the prohibition or restriction of ooasting in New Zealand by ships of certain countries was introduced by Governor's message, and read a first time. A Bill to extend the time wherein loans under the Dairy Industry Act, 1898, may be made was introduced by Governor's message, and read a first time.

An Imprest Supply Bill for £475,000 was brought down by Governor's message. Some disousdon ensued on the bringing down of the Imp-est Supply Bill in an afternoon devoted to local 8.11 3 .

After seme debate, the pos'ponement of the Orders of the Day, to enable the Bill to be gone on with, was agreed to by 40 to

26, and the Bill passed its final staged before the dinner adjournment.

The Waimate Racecourse Re;erves Act Amendment Bill (Sir William Steward), was read a second time without debate.

Mr vVnod moved the second reading ff the W-I*ingtou Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1902, Amendrrei t Bill, and a long fleba'e took place., Considerable opposition was shown to the Bill on the ground that id proposed to repeal the clause in the existing Act requiring the Wellington Dock Fund to be kept in a separate fund.

Eventually the second reading was carried by 42 to 16.

The Canterbury College Powers 1898, Amendment Bill (Mr Lewis), Borough of Gore Electric Power Empowering Bi'l (Mr M'Nabl, and Christchurch Tramways D s trict Act, 1902, Amendment Bill (Mr Witty) were read a second time oil the voioes.

At 1145 p.m. Sir William Btewanl moved tbe second reading of the Elective Executive Bill, and briefly explained it. provisions, which were to lessen the power of the Executive and particularly the Pre mier, who, instead of beirg servants of the people are now masters of the people. Mr M'Nab moved that the debate on the Bill be adjourned to August 6th, when he understood the matter would be given a whole night's debate. Sir William Steward agreed to this cour=e being pursued, and the Premier said that should it be interfered with m Augus-t 6 h, he would give another Government night to it. Mr Allen's amendment that the debate be adjourned till the f, llowing day was lost, and it was agreed that the reuimption of the debate should be made the first Order of the Day, for 7 30 p.m., on August 6th.

Friday, July 24. The Granl Lojge i f Freemasons ot New Zeiland Trustees Bill paßsed its final stages without discussion.

The Medical PraoMtim-rs' Registration Bill (Bir Joseph Ward) ard Totalisvlor Abolition Referendum Bill (Mr EU) were introduced, and read a first time.

Sir Joseph Ward gave notice to introduce the City Bingle Electorates Bill.

The Workers' Compensation for Accidents Aot Amendment Bill was read a seoond time pro forma and referred to the Labour Bills Committee.

The Premier moved the second reading of the Counties Act Amendment Bill which.be explained, would meet the difficulty in regard to the alterations of b.undaries of a road district or riding of a county. It also give increased rating power to counties. A discussion in Committee on the Road and Town Districts Billetßued, the Premier agreeing that it seemed unfair to give wealthy bodies the sarr.e subsidy as struggling bodies.

At Clause 2, which provides that the max imum general rate that may be made and levied in any year in eny road or town dis trict shall be a rate of three-halfpenoe in the pound on the capital value of the rateable property c.f the district or its equivalent on the unimproved value, Sir William Russell moved to make the rate one penny. The amendment was losf.

Oc the motion of the Premier an addition was made to the clause to provide that the rate may be levied on the basis of 2*3 in the £ on the annual value.

(The amendment was agreed to. Mr Witty's motion tbat a n6w clause be added, providiug tha'o a Road Board may, by speohl order, levy a separate rate in connection with any sanitary work, publio lighting or other public cohvenieDce, after the cons; nt of the ratepayers has been given at a poll, was withdrawn at the Premier's suggestion that the matter should be dealt wiib in a special Bill.

The Weights and Measures Bill passed through committee without material amend ment.

The Inspection of Machinery Act Amand ment Bill passed through committee with out amendment.