LATEST PARLIAMENTARY

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 210, 5 September 1893, Page 5

LATEST PARLIAMENTARY

(by telegraph—special reporter.)

Wellington, this day.

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. The Surveyor-General, Mr Percy Smithi who lias left for the Cheviot Estate, intends to go South as far as Duoedin, and will convene meetings of boards appointed under act providing for acquisition of land for settlement. He is to be absent for about three weeks. It is probable that arrangements will be completed for sale of parti of the Cheviot land about the end of next month.

RATING OF NATIVE LANDS,

The Native Affairs Committee concluded their consideration of clauses in tho Rating Acts Amendment Bill relating to rating of nabive lands. The only important amendment passed was that proposed by_ Mr Houston, which makes native land liable to half the rate levied on land held by Europeans.

PUSHING ON BUSINESS.

On resuming after supper business was transacted with exemplary celerity. The West-land and Nelson Coalfield and Halswell River Drainage District Bills were read a second time, and tbe House went into Committee on the West Coast Settlement Reserves' Bill. Mr G. Hutchison was the first with an amendment to provide that the definition ot improvements shall apply to confirmed lease caaea, Mr Carroll pointed out that confirmed lessees who paid more undur the new definition would pay lees at the end ot the term, but promised to consider the question raised by Waitara, who thereupon withdrew his amendment. Some time later on Mr Hutchison again objected to the Public Trustee having power to vary orders of the Native Land Court in respect to grantees on beneficiaries in any land, bub the clause was passed. Mr Carroll then proposed an amendment enabling the Public Trustee to advance money to settlers to an amount not exceeding one-half the value of their improvements, but withdrew it, when the Bill was reported from Committee, and the third reading pet down for to-day. Tho House adjourned at 1.10 a.m.

A CLERICAL ALTERATION.

The Public Accounts Committee have agreed on their report on the alterations in the Public Works Statement. I understand thab they have come to the conclusion that the alterations were made without the knowledge of the Premier.

ROADS THROUGH NATIVE LAND'

On account of tho uncertainty as to what constitutes a " Cultivator " under the Act, considerable difficulty arises from time to time in the taking of roads through native land. Ib is understood thab the Government haa drafted a Bill to make tho law on the matter clearer. The Waste Lands Committee intend to recommend thab extended powers should bo given to lecal bodies intaking roads.

JOTTINGS.

An oil painting by Deverill, juefs purchased by the Hon. Fergus, is attracting a good deal of attention in the lobbies. It is a new description of a road near Hokianga.