PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 209, 3 September 1900, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Report-r.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

WELLINGTON, Saturday. GOVERNMENT VALUATION OP

LAND

In the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon the Minister for Education moved the second reading of the Government Valuation of Land Act Amendment Bill, aud explained the leading features of the measure. In the definition of "improvements" he gave notice of his intention to insert an amendment, providing that the payment of rates or taxes should not be deemed to be such a contribution towards the cost of works undertaken on land by the Crown or any statutory public body, as to bring such works within the scope of the definition.

Mr G. McLean said the Bill contained many good points, but it needed careful consideration in committee.

The Hon. J. D. Ormond said the Council was agreed as to the necessity for the Bill, but the fault was that it was framed from a departmental point of view, rather than that of tb : settlers. It would have been of great assistance to the wants of the general public if the remaining portion of the original Act had been set out and incorporated in the Bill under consideration. Regarding the definition, he thought great improvement could be effected in committee with the aid of the Valuer-General. The Bill provided that objections to valuations should be heard before a Stipendiary Magistrate. He would urge that the amendment should be reinstated, the Magistrate being assisted by two expert assessors. The Hon. W, C. Walker expressed his willingness to refer the Bill to a select committee. The Bill was then read a second time, on the voices, and referred to a select committee, consisting of the Hons. Bolt, Johnston, McLean, Pitt, A. L. Smith, VV. C. Smith and Walker ,the committee to report in seven days. SUPREME COURT JUDGE. The Supreme Court Judge Appointments Bill was passed through committee without amendment, and the third reading made an order of the day for next Tuesday.