SUBURBAN CEMETERIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 256, 31 October 1887, Page 5

SUBURBAN CEMETERIES.

There was some talk in the lobbies on Saturday respecting a new bill to amend the Cemeteries Act, 1882, in a rather peculiar direction, which has been drafted by Messrs Russell and Campbell, of Auckland, and will probably be introduced this week. It gives power to boroughs or other local authorities to contract or arrange with the owners of any piece of land, without acquiring the fee simple, to use such land as a cemetery for the interment of dead bodies, and it is provided that after the proclamation is made, the cemetery cannot be closed, but shall remain a cemetery tor ever. A circular accompanies the bill, and explains that many poor boroughs that wish to have cemeteries find it beyond their power to provide even for the living, and consider it advisable to introduce the American system, and induce companies to devote land to this purpose, taking the fees received in lieu of the sale of the land. Mr Goldie, vdio objects to the bill on the ground that it would have the effect of covering the country with small cemeteries which would gradually be built in, and for other reasons, will bring the matter before the Municipal Conference to-day.

Railway Concessions.

Mr F. Lawry has been urging upon the Ministerof Public Worksamatterof some importance to country settlers. He represents that persons having a railway truck should be allowed to carry in it whatever goods tiiey please as long as the given weight is not exceeded, or dangerous goods shipped. He received a letter stating that the Minister of Works had given the suggestion due consideration, but found that it would be impracticable to comply therewith.

A Farcical Ordinance.

Fresh legislation is likely to be introduced this session to amend the Civil Servico Reform Act, to prevent the evasions which are now being practised. The AuditorGeneral refused to pass some vouchers for salaries of persons temporarily appointed who had not complied with provisions of the Act. The Solicitor-General gave it as his opinion that power existed under the Act of making such temporary appointments and ths Auditor-General replied that if this reading were the correct one the Act was a farce and useless for the purpose for which it was passed. After some correspondence on the subject he gave way and passed the vouchers under protest on condition that the whole question should be brought before Parliament.

Land Lectslatloa.

Sir George Grey intends, to-morrow, to introduce two new bills. The first is intended to constitute a Court consisting of three Judges, the President of which shall be Judge of the District in which the land is, to fix under certain circumstances a fair rent to be paid by the tenant to Government for the occupation of the land. The second bill seeks to amend the conditions on which thelandsare now held, in certain settlements which have been recently established.

Amendment of Education Act.

Mr Ros3 will to-morrow ask the Government whether their intention is to amend the Education Act in tho direction of transferring school inspectors periodically, and also to give teachers who feel aggrieved by the decisions of the Education Board right to appeal.

Catholic Cemetery Bill

The Catholic Cemetery Bill, relating to the leasing of the frontage of Symondsstreet Cemetery, has been introduced again and will be considered by the Local Bills Committee at its next meeting.

Auckland Petitions.

The following petitions of Auckland interest were laid on the table of the House on Friday night:—From John Boakes, that ho be reinstated on blocks of land, (Mr Moat) ; from Edwin Latimer Clark, for enquiry into an alleged miscarriage _of justice, (Sir George Grey); from Patrick Fiynn for grant of land, (Sir George Grey); from Denis Murphy for return of a sum of money alleged to have been illegally taken, (Sir George Grey) - from James Dunkin, asking compensation for loss of employmenb, (Sir George Grey); from Henry G. Sym?, for a grant of land as a discharged soldier, (Col. Eraser); from S. Alexander, claiming a goldfields reward (Colonel Fraser); from W. H. Clarke claiming a grant of land as a retired soldier (Mr Moss); from R. Martin, relative to fencing land (Mr Monk) ; from Mrs Hargraves for relief, her husband having died in the public service (Mr Moss).