PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 172, 23 July 1890, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN REPORTER.)

W T Ellington, this day. The second reading of tliß Industrial Schools Bill was adjourned on Mr Taylor's motion.by 31 to 20, aorong exception being taken to bhe clauses imposing increased duties on local bodies.

The Educational Reserves Leasing Bill, extending tbe time for which educational reserves may be leased to thirty years, also pasfaed its reading. Some opposition was made to the second reading of the Rabbib Nuisance Bill owing tothepowers given to Justices of the Peace bo inflict a sentence of two years' imprisonment for setting rabbits loose, bub the motion waa eventually carried by 31 to 9. Sir Maurice O'Rorke is the oldest member of the House, having sab through 33 sessions; Mr Ormond has a record of 30 ; Sir Harry Atkinson, 29 ; Mr Brown, 24 ; Mr Pyke and Hon. E. Richardson, 21. The Public Works Statement will be delivered on Friday.

Mr R. Reeves is moving for the abolition of duties on tea, sugar and other necessaries, tbe abolition ot properby tax and the substituting of an income tax, absentee tax, and sliding scale tax on land. TE ARO RAILWAY TERMINUS. An animated discussion took place yes-

TE ARO RAILWAY TERMINUS,

An animated discussion took place yesterday afternoon on the motion by the Hon. Mr-Fergus for leave to introduce the Railway Authorisation Bill. This Bill was intended to provide for the construction of the Te Aro (Wellington) railway, ab a cost variously estimated at betweon £9,000 and £13,000, and also for the extension of

THE HELENSVILLE RAILvv AY, for which the House has already allotted a certain sum of money, and for bhe purchase of bvvo sidings ab presenb held by private parties. Exception was taken by several members to the inclusion cf several separate works in this one Bill.

Sir George Grey freely gave expression to this view of the question. He urged that every Bill for a particular railway should be introduced as a separate Bill, and that any one Bill should nob be allowed bo imperil the safety of several Bills by the inclusion of all in the one Act. He urged the Government to drop the Bill in its present form.

The Hon. Mr Fergus eventually agreed to confine the Bill now sought to be introduced to the Te Aro line, and to deal with tho other railway extension under a separate Bill, and on this understanding leave was given to introduce the Bill, which was then read a first time, and the second reading set down for Friday next.

Mr Thos. Thompson asked yesterday if any provision was made in tho Railway Authorisation Bill for tho further extension of th 6 Auckland linu westward.

The Hon. Mr Fergus replied in the negative.

IMPREST SUPPLY,

In accordance with a notice previously given, the Hon. Mr Mitchelson asked the House to pass an Imprest Supply Bill for £175,000 through all its stages. Sir Geo. Grey moved on the motion to go into Committee of Supply: "This House is of opinion thab previous to supply being granted ib is desirable thab an assurance shall be given by the Government that the new Parliament shall bo called together immediately after next election."

Mr Moss seconded the motion,

Tho Hon. Mr Mitchelson said ib was well known that the object of tbe Bill was to carry on the services of the country. He therefore did not inteud to make any statement as to what course the Government proposed to take.

The motion to go into Committee was carried on the voices.

The Imprest Supply Bill was sub sequently passed through all its stages.

LEPROSY.

Dr. Bakewell, of Auckland, petitions tho Houßefor the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry as to the existence of leprosy and the besb method for preventing its spread. >'

A CURIOUS COMPLAINT was laid before the House yesterday afternoon. Franz Rummer, merchant, in the Asylum at Auckland, alleged that by means of hypnotic electricity he was committed to the Asylum; though nob insane, and that sinee _ his incarceration this form of persecution has been continued. He petitions for tbe appointment of a Commission to investigate his complaint. GOVERNMENT INSURANCE.

Tbe annual reporb of the Governmenb Insurance Department shows thab lasb year 4,650 proposals were received, representing £1,277,795. The total revenue was £298,706, boing an increase of £16,508 on the revenue of previous year. The accumulated fund is £1,582,447.

THE AUCKLAND HOSPITAL RE-

SERVES BILL has been recommended by the Local Bills Committee to be allowed to pass. The following lands are proposed to be withdrawn from* State forests to be dealt with under the Land Act, 1885, and amendments : —Ngarobo, 330 acres, which the Land Board of Auckland recommended should be offered for sale; Hukerenui, 1,650 acres, described as of good quality and likely to be taken up for settlement at once.

LABOUR LEGISLATION.

The motion for second reading of the Truck Bill gave rise to a lengthy discussion as to the desirability of making exemptions in a case when workmen are employed in places far distant from towns. On the motion for the second reading of the Factory and Shops Bill, there appeared an' inclination to have the question of factory legislation and early closing of shops dealt with separately. The two last-named Bills passed their second reading, and were referred to a special committee

THE HUTCHISON CHARGES,

The Hutchison Investigation Committee were occupied two hours yesterday in a discussion on the correctness of minutes, and whether Mr Hutchison should be compelled to give bis evidence before the witnesses arrive from Auckland, he having refused to do so, claiming the right to call his witnesses in the order he thinks fit. Tho Committee adjourned without arriving at a decision on the latter point. JOTTINGS. The Hon. Mr Fisher proposes to introduce a Bill limiting the term of office of the Agent-General to three years. . Mr R. Reeves is urging the Government to bring down an Absentee Tax Bill, couipelling absentees to pay __, percentage of revenue derived from the colony towards the government of the colony. MrGoldie is. moving for returns of land originally reserved as endowments for primary education, which have been diverted.

Mr Verrall has given notice of Bill to establish a State bank.

The following Bills have been introduced, and read a first time: Mining Bill, Railway Authorisation Bill, Local Bodies' Accounts and Audib Bill.

Ibis a terrible thing for a,man when a' woman sets him "on a pedestal." The air on pedestals is cold, and, however gingerly the idol may climb down, he is likely to break something in the descent.

It is a time-honoured custom in Florida (U.S.) to salute a newly-married couple by firing a cannon. This is to remind them the battle of life ha. fairly begun,