PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 159, 7 July 1899, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(By Telegraph-—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day. THE EXTRAORDINARY VACANCY. In order to give opportunities for further enrolment the Premier postponed for a day his motion that a new writ be issued for the election of ii member for Wellington city. The indications now are that the poll will be fixed for Friday, the 21st, or Tuesday, the 25t'h inst. The third candidate who has entered the field is Mr J. J. K. Powell and his prospects may be judged when it is mentioned that he stood at the general election in ISO 6 and was only able to secure 194 votes. The Wellington electoral roll contains 17,000 names. THE COUNCIL'S HOLIDAY. Yesterday's sitting was again formal. The Law Amendment Bill, the Separate Institutions Bill, and The Workers' Compensation Bill were I read a first time. The last-named 1 Bill was blocked last year, Councillors holding that its companion measure, | the Accident Insurance Bill, should be i proceeded with at the same time. The Hon. E. Richardson now made in- : quiries with respect to the Accident Insurance Bill, and was told that as it was a money measure its introduction in the other Chamber was necessary. Notice was given of the introduction of the Immigration Restriction Bill and of Shorthand Reporters' Bill. NEW AVENUES OP TRADE. The search for new avenues of trade has given rise to the following . question from Mr Flatman to the Premier: "Is the Government moving or intending to move in the direction of encouraging the establishment of direct communication between the colony and Manchester and Liverpool with the object of having colonial products carried at a cheaper rate and to a more direct market than is done at present?" The question will probably be answered some time next week. PROTECTING COAL MINERS' EARNINGS. The amended Coal Alines Bill, introduced by Mr Guinness, proposes to enact that coal miners and other operatives engaged in coal mining shall be entitled to a prior lien or first lien on the mine and all plant and machinery connected therewith I for their wages, and if such wages arc not paid within one month after sudh lien is registered the property may be sold and the proceeds applied thereof. RABBIT NUISANCE ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill introduced by Mr Hogg (Mastcrtan) is very brief. Under the existing Act a settler is liable to be prosecuted and heavily fined if the inspector is of opinion that there are rabbits on the land, and no evidence | for the defence can prevent a convic- ; tion and fine, the inspector being constituted prosecutor, judge and jury. The amendment act substitutes for the inspector, "The adjudicating Magistrate." JOTTINGS. Mr Smith invites the Government to amend the Liquor Act so as to prevent continued, evasions of the law in | regard to tied houses. i Mr Taylor: "The Minister of Marine last session said I made £1500 out of "The Shadow of Tammany.' All that was realised from its sale was £500." Inquiry is being made by Mr Hogg jas to whether it is the intention of I the Government to place the Rifle j Association of New Zealand on a i sound find permanent basis. "The capacity this Government has for the selection of suitable Royal I Commissioners doe? them infinite ! credit. The right men always turn ■ up." Mr Taylor. The Government are being asked by Mr Guinness whether they will set up a Eoyal Commission or a Parlia- ! menlary Committee to inquire into j the unsatisfactory manner in which . the works on the Jackson Otira section of the Midland Railway are being carried on. "There are now more men employed on co-operative works than ever," remarked the Minister of Works last night in reply to an assertion that it was crumbling1 away.