LATE PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 206, 1 September 1898, Page 9

LATE PARLIAMENTARY.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The Old Age Pensions Bill, the second reading of which will be moved by the Premier, will be the business before the House to-night. MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE REFORM. The Municipal Franchise Reform Bill will be recommitted in the Council this afternoon, with a view to striking out the amendments inserted yesterday at the instance of the Hon. Mr .McLean allowing plural voting iv the ease of loans. The Hobs. Rigg, Bolt, unci Twomey were absent yesterday, and wilb these reinforcements the Minister in charge of the Bill is confident of reversing yesterday's decision. NATIVE LANDS. Tbe East Coast Native Lands Boards Bill has been referred to the Speaker to decide whether it is a public or a private Bill. The trustees claim that they have reduced the debts on the land aud have added nearly a/quarter million acres to the estate. INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS BILL. On the motion for the second readin"- of the Institute of Surveyors Bill Mr Lawry said if the Bill passed and an institute were formed under the provisions of the law he would move that the Government satisfy all survey liens. RECOVERY OF MINING RENTS. It is not i mprobable that some legislative action may be taken to allay the dissatisfaction that exists regardin"- proceedings for the recovery of mining rents. At to-day's meeting of the Public Accounts Committee it was resolved to summon the AuditorGeneral and Under-Secretary for Mines, the Minister and . Warden Stratford, to give evidence as to the action of the Receiver of Goldfields Revenue in suing owners of licensed holdings under special claims for arrears of rent, and in issuing distress Avarrants to enforce judgment; also as to the action of the Audit Office in surcharging receivers. AUCKLAND ELECTRIC LIGHTING BILL. Mr Cotter has been here two days to watch, on behalf of the Auckland City Council, the progress of the Electric Lighting Bill. Meanwhile pro-' cress is stopped, pending the Speaker's decision whether counsel shall be heard before the Committee. THE SPEAKER. Sir Maurice O'Rorke had sufficiently, recovered to-day to go for a drive. THE LATE MR GLADSTONE. Tn the House to-day the DeputySpeaker read a letter from Mr Herbert Gladstone expressing on behalf ot his mother and family gratitude for the resolution of condolence passed-by tlie House.-On the motion of the Premier the letter avus entered in the journals of the House.