PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 166, 16 July 1896, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PARLIAMENTARY RK

PORTER.)

Wellington, Wednesday evening, METHODIST UNION.

The first business in the Houso this afternoon is the consideration of the amendments made in the Wesleyan Methodist Church Property Trust Act, 1887, Further Amendmenb Bill by bhe Private Bills Committee The Premier explains thab bho amendmenta have been a matter of arrangement. There is some discussion, in bhe course of which Mr R. Thompson states that he has been advised that the proposala of the Bui were never discussed by members of bhe churches concerned, bub Mr G. J. Smith noints oub thab the heads of tho BUI were "beforo bho Conference held in Auckland, and the complete measure has been approved of by certain Southern circuits.^ Mr Button expresses a strong opinion against the Church holding property. After further discussion the report of the Committee is adopted, and the third reading of the Bill is seb down for Thursday.

THE BANKING INQUIRY.

Mr Gr.iham, Chairman of the Banking Committee, brings up an interim report giving the reaulb of the House Committee's attempt bo get the Council Commikttee to sib wibh ib. The Council Committee agreed to this provided thab the orders of roference : of both Commibtees were broughb into harmony by the House Committee striking out bhe clause referring bo written off accounts, also tbab neither counsel nor tho press bo admitted to the proceedings. The House Committee had, of course, refused to make these amendments, find the Houso was asked to approve of the Committee's action.

This is, however, postponed till Thurs day. HANSARD CORRECTIONS.

A lengthy diacussion enaaes respecting the proposal thab members who make initerjoobiona during the debate should bo permitted to see the Hansard proofs if such quoabiona are answered, and the Premier brings np tho question of interference with the evidence of the Horowhenua Commiasion, which matter is referred to the Reporting and Debates Committee.

REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE

Tho Premier moves bhe appointment of Major Richarda and Dr. Giles bo sib on the North Island Representation Commiaaion, and of Mr Weston and Dr. Hislcp to sit on bhe South Island Representation Commission.

An objection to Dr. Giles comes from the member for Riccarbon, bub both Mr Crowbher and Mr Masaey warmly defend Dr. Giles, and Mr Willis states thab while Dr. Giles was Resident Magistrate ab Wanganui ho had won the confidence of everyone.

Major Harris doubts whether Dr. Gileß will do justice to the Liberal Party, but the Premier says that he has the utmoab confidence in Dr. Giles, and has no doubt bbat ho will deal with bhe matter of bhe adjustment of the electoral boundaries in an impartial manner. Tho motion is agreed to wibhoub division.

THE TOTALISATOR

Ab the evening aibting Mr Carnoll, in moving the second reading of the Totalisetor Abolition Bill tells tho House thab he knows of three " toto" sbopa in Napier, the existence of which the local police shut their eyeS to. He has seen boys going into these shops and getting balf-acrown'a worth, and these same boys know more about the pedigrees of racohorses than about their tradj?^; ''Whab., humbug* wo are," he cries. "Wo run in bhe Chinaman for the comparatively harmless olfonco of olaying fan-tun, while we let our clubs gamble to thoir hearte' content." He points oub that the totalieator has not abolished the " bookie," but the remedy had proved worse than the disease.

The measure ia discussed at considerable length, and on division the eecond reading ia agreed to by 34 to 25.

OTHER MEASURES.

The aecond readings of Mr W. Hubchi Bon'a Restraint of Incitements bo Betting Bill and Mr Buick's Property Law Consolidation Act Amendment Bill are passed after short discussions.

COAL MINES,

Mr Millar moves the second reading of bhe Coal Minea Act Amendment Bill, the provisions of which are to give effect to the recommendation of the Brunner Commissioners and bhe Minister of Mines. He points out certain directions in which the Bill requires amendment. The eecond roading paasoa unopposed.

OTHER BILLS,

The Summary Separation Bill was introduced by the Hon. Mr Bolt and read a first time in bhe Council, aa waa also the Gold Duties Act Amendmenb Bill, which had passed bhe Houso of Representatives. The Criminal Code Act Amendmenb Bill passed ib? final stages.

THE CHATHAM ISLANDS,

The Minister of Education moved in tho Legislative Council the eecond reading of the Chatham Islands County Constitution Bill, which ia designed to establish a form of government for those islands by creating them a county and under the Counties Act. Tho Hon. W. Bowen aaid a large number of people on the islands were against the Bill, which he had been naked to say on their behalf waa being forced upon them by a Resident Magistrate there. He hoped bhe Government would nob force tho measure on them until enquiries bad been made.

Ministers agreed bo this course and the debate was adjourned for a month.

REFERENDUM

By an unfortunate accident Mr O'Regan mieaed hia opportunity of moving the aecond reading of hia Referendum Bill tonighb. It ia understood that the Government intend taking up Mr O'Regan'a measure, as a Bill' with the same bible, which ia on the Order Paper in the Hon. Hall-Jones' name, is very similar in its provisione.

THE MEMBER FOR CLUTHA.

The member for Clubha. Mr Thomas McKenzie, stated in the House to-nighb thab hia retirement from politics at. the end of tho prosenb eeaaion would be only of a temporary character, and he hoped when he returned from England to re-enter the

House

ROADS NEAR TAURANGA,

Mr W. Kelly aßked the Minister of Lands if ho was aware thab special settlors who have taken up land at Oropi, near Tauranga, are unable to utilise their sections to advantage, in consequence of the Rye's Pa Road being left in an unfinished state, and will the Governmenb cause immediate ateps to be bakon to make road available for traffic.

Tho Hon. Mr McKenzie eaid the money voted for thia road had been entrusted to the Tauranga County Council, which body had applied for an additional sum, aa tho amount, previously voted had been found insufficient. This application would bo conaidered when the Public Works Estimates were being prepared.

Replying to Mr W. Kelly what amount of the £1,000 voted last session for reading and opening up tho Papamoa and Otama Blocks in Tauranga county and now occupied by special settlers, has been exponded up to 31sb May last, the Minister of Lands said arrangements were being made for the construction of road mentioned.

HOKIANGA HEADS. The Hon. Hail Jones stated in reply to

Mr Houston who asked it the Government would cause a light to be exhibited ab the piloa 'station, ab Hokianga Heada for guidance of vessels entering the Heads and crossing the bar, that Captain Allman, nautical adviser, had been asked to submib a report on the matter.

% ROTORUA. Mr W, Kelly moved this afternoon that there be laid before this House -all correspondence between the Government, Dr. Gindera and Mr Malfroy from the lsc April, 1893, to the 31sb March, 1896, relating to tho sanitary condition of the Rotorua township, and all other matters in connection with extending and improving the property belonging bo the State in thab district.

The Mioißter of Landa hoped the motion would be withdrawn, aa confidential memos would have to be published, which was undesirable. The Premier pointed oub thab though the state of Rotorua waa not all that it ought to be, it waa nob advisable to publiah the particulars uaked for. Mr McKenzie said it was moat necessary that an inquiry should be held inbo the manner in which the doctor treated patient?. The Hon. McKenzie : " Wo are doing so."

Mr T. McKenzie, continuing, congratU" lated the Government on their action in this respect, as the sooner affairs in Rotorua were placed on a proper footing its usefulness as a sanatorium would be advanced the more. He waa quite prepared to except all correspondence of a confidential nature, bub on the voicea the motion waa refused.

JOTTINGS.

The Minister of Lands hopes to be able nexb Wednesday bo inbroduce a Fair Rent Bill.

The Premier says that the youths of bhe colony are nob baking full advanbage in connection wibh joining tho Australasian squadron. The Governme'nb are nob prepared bo incur bhe expense of a braining ship. Ex-Colonial Treasurer Ward arrived in Wellingbon bo-day, and waa in the House for a few minutes during the afternoon.