PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 161, 8 July 1895, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(BY TELEGRAPH.;— EAKLIAMESTARY ■ |f ;; '• -' EKroRTER.)';. ''..^ '.Js}

Wellington, this day. MUNICIPAL FIRE INSURANCE-BILL. Mr W. Hutchison's Municipal Fire Insurance Bill .enipo.wera the Council of any borough to insure buildings within boundaries. This work can only be undertaken by special reeolubion.' The rateable value of buildings are to be/ ascertained by valuers,', and a fire insurance rate book prepared. The Council should then strike a rate .of so; much in the pound on. the rateable value. The rate shall be annually recurring and levied until" the reserve fund has accumulated to an amount bo be,^ - fixed by . resblution, but t in ■no , effse to exceed the sum of £50,000, When the reserve -has, reached the amounb fixed by the Council, the insurance, rate shall be. reduced or' temporarily discontinued, provided bhat the discontinuance ehal nob interfere with the power of tne Council to levy a rate afresh as occasion may require. On payment of the insurance rate on any' building, ?>i£^L™H^iSf

shall be. deemed to bejneurred. Any Council undertaking fire insurance shall maintain an efficient fire brigade, the cosb to ba defrayed"' oub of ...the fire insurance, account!.' Whenever, by reason of the frequency of? the, firea* the funds ab the credit of this account shall be sufficienb to satisfy; the claims ib ; shall 'be lawful- for, the Council to strike and levy an additional rate sufficient to liquidate all legitimate claims. The Council shall have power to spread tha jiexbraordinary fire rate over any period nob exceeding ' three years. The.' Council is also empowered to borrc-w money upon the security of ■' the extraordinary fire insurance rate provided that the money borrowed is applied bo the payment claims for firo insurance, for which bhe rate has been levied. Municipal councils in the matter of fire insurance sßall possess all powers conferred on companies undertaking fire insurance, and may sue'and be sued in connection therewith. •..,-'. THE TARIFF COMMISSION. On Saturday the members and officers of the Tariff Commission, entertained Major Stewart, .Chairman of the Commissioners ab dinner in Bellamy's. Among the guestspresenbwere the Premier, theßon.B. Cadinan, Carroll, Larnach, the Premier expressed hia conviction thab the most suitable, men had been eelected for the work of the Commission. During the evening members and officers of bhe Commission presented Mrs Steward with a case of handsome articles for tier workbasket.. . _^ j jv,.