PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 256, 26 October 1907, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

(Bj Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON" Friday.: In the Legislative Council, the Animals' Protection Bill (Hon. Dr. Findlay) was further considered in committee. An objection was taken by the Hens. J.- E; Jenkinson and Colonel Feldwick to the large amount of £5 charged for the license fee to sell imported game. An amendment by the Hon. J. E. Jenkinson to reduce the amount to £2 was accepted by the Attorney-General, and carried. A sub-clause states that no license, either- to kill or selj. imported game, shall be issued under this act to any person appearing to be under sixteen years of age." An amendment, limiting the application of the clause to licenses for the sale of game, was carried, with .the Attorney-General's concurrence. The minimum penalty of £2 for shooting game with a swivel or punt gun was increased to £5. New clauses were added to the bill, enabling the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts to act in the same man-, ncr and receive the same fees and fines derivable from any district under its control as if it were a registered Acclimatisation Society. A brief discussion was raised on the Bon. Dr. Findlay's proposal to give the Governor-in-Council power to prohibit or regulate the coursing, pursuing or killing of hares.in any confined space or enclosure. Tne Hon. W. Beenan said it -was evident that Plumpton coursing was aimed at, but the clause would do injury. The coursing which he aefenaea was always carried out under the eye of an officer of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "We are'getting a bit too good for this world," he concluded. ■ The Hon. Dr. Findlay pointed out that there was an alternative in the clause, the Governor being empowered to use his discretion either to prohibit or regulate coursing meetings. The Hon. J. Rigg expressed the opinion that only open coursing should be allowed. A form of sport, which necessitated chasing a hare. again and again should be prohibited. The L.on. W. Beehan moved to omit the word "prohibit" from the clause, but' found no supporter, and the addition proposed by the Attorney-General passed. A further addition upon the AttorneyGeneral's motion was made, giving the Governor-in-Couhcil the power of prohibiting or regulating the shooting or killing of pigeons released from any trap, bos, or similar contrivance, or in any similar method. A new clause was adopted, enabling the Governor-in-Coun-cil, upon the petition of any local authority or acclimatisation society, to permit the killing of weasels, stoats, or any other animal declared under the Rabbit Nuisance Act to be a national enemy of c-ie rabbit. Minor amendments -were made in the subsequent clauses, and the bill was reported. IMPREST SUPPLY. The Imprest Supply Bill (No. 5), pro-. Adding .for. a-vote of £656,000 for the, public services, was. received from the House of Representatives, put through all its stages, and passed.