EVENING SITTING.

Press, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4636, 10 June 1880, Page 3

EVENING SITTING.

£he Home resumed at 7.30. mnnciPAi cobpobations bill. Mγ Hutchison moved the second reading <rf the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment BEL This wae the third amendment aide upon the Corporations Act, or in other words, an amendment has been made every year since the passing of the Bill. He took that to be an evidence of the deep interest taken in the question of municipal government. The Bill made provision for special fund* being paid into a special bank account, vhioh could only be drawn for disbursement for the purpose for which the fund had been created. Where a loan was raited for a particular purpose, and it turned out that the ' amount was too small for the purpose, the £21 enabled corporations to borrow such additional sums as might be required. At present a special Bill would be required for the purpoie, as had been shown last year in the case of Oamaru. It also gave power for private streets being proclaimed public streets, and thereby doing away with the difficulties hitherto experienced in dealing with the former. It also proposed to do away with the plurality of votes at borough elections. Mr Bbahdoh directed attention to what he considered to be a number of arbitrary clauses in the Bill. The Bill largely dealt with the provisions for enabling Corporations to alter the level of streets without making the slightest compensation to adjoining proprietors. What he contended for was that owners so situated should be entitled to reasonable compensation for the damage occasioned thereby to their properties. There wen many other objectionable clauses, and -although he would not oppose the motion, he would hope in Committee to see the Bill materially altered in the direction he had in--dicated. Mr AsDBHWB asked that the Bill might be postponed to enable suggestions to be got -from Christchurch and other corporations on the subject. Mr bhbihsei objected to further borrowing powers being given to local bodies. Mr Pitt contended that the powers sought for as against owners of private property, were not so arbitrary as they had been represented. In the case of property belonging to gbientees it was absolutely necessary for ssnitsry purposes that some such powers should be given. Mr Speght said that is view of the extraordinary proposals made by the Colonial Xreaiurer, giving almost unlimited powers to these bodies to impose taxation, he had altered his opinion on the subject, and thought that persons liable to high taxation should have a corresponding voice in the administration. Oα that account he was compelled to vote against the proposal to do away with the plurality of votes. * The Hon. T. Dick said that Government would allow the Bill to be read a second time, but that the various corporations should have an opportunity of fully considering its provisions before it was passed further. Mr Babbox concurred in the views ex•pressed by the previous speaker. He suggested that three weeks should be allowed for municipalities to express their views on the ■point. Mr Hutchison- said he had no objection to follow the suggestion about the delay. The motion was put and carried, and the Bill ordered to be committed for that day three weeks. DKAJNASB BILL. Mr Mttbbat moved the second reading of the Drainage Bill. The BUI aimed at empowering persons entering into schemes for ■dninage of their properties to do so free fwm the interference of other parties. It Tireid do a great deal towards promoting the agricultural interest, besides increasing labor «U period of the year when seasonal pursuits vattata standstill.

Mr Shephaed agreed to the expediency of tie Bill, but it was not a lime to enter into future engagements as contemplated by the Bill, and for contracting fresh burdens of borrowed money. "Every shilungtheyhador would get for some time would be required to complete engagements already entered upon. Shen-it proposed to create a new Government •department, and this was not a time when it was prudent to do so. He moved that it be read a second time this day six months.

Mr Baik spoke in support of the practical iporpoees of the Bill; at the jama time, he ■ thought «he machinery provided for carrying eni the Bill was not the wisest that could be adopted. In Southland they had large tracts 6? country which would be greatly benefited by the Act. He suggested that the Bill should go into Committee, with a view of seeisgif better machinery could not be adopted. The Hon. Major Atitrsok said he had no - objection to the motion, but, in Committee, he would endeavor to get the machinery of the Bill, as suggested by the previous speaker, altered.

Mr Mttbbat said he would accept the sugtertian of Mr Bain. . On a division the ayes were 40, and the TKWIS.

Xbe 80l wu read a second time and re* iened to the committee of agriculture. Tb» Home then went into committee on the Proclamation Validation Sill, and en returning the Bill was reported without further amendments, read a third time, and pawed. HCBSTBIBe BIIIi. The adjourned debate on the second read* ' ing of the Licensing 80l was resumed by ; Mr Spbight, who said he objected to the I proposal lor Native licenses. The Natives \ were sharp enough to see that while the I Saropeans brought a high state of civilisation, I they also brought along with them an advanced specias of vice, and strong drink was ■ one; of the most potent for β-ril. - He "knew of Native districts where, ii polled, they would say to a man that they did not desire to hare drink amongst them. It was proposed to make the , , quorum two,' a cumber lees than one-half of the beach. He : next reviewed the proposal for a billiard I license. The position there should be reversed. I They allowed a man who had a'public house j license to go free, and the man who had not I such a license was charged. If the publican I wanted a billiard license they should make I him pay for it, and allow others wanting to : establish billiard tables to go free. He likeI win objected to the proposal that clubs should \ not be subjected to police supervision. What Tae aimed at by police supervision was to etevent illegal practices being engaged in at these premises. Now he would ask if such practices were not carried on in clubs. Had they never heard : el gentlemen being disgraced and expelled &om their clubs because they had cheated at : cuds. That in itself showed, that these places demanded strict supervision. ■ Hβ strongly advocated that wherever a license . WM required police supervision' should be f ! <ssnied .along with it The family hotel Sosaring proposal would secure a highly 1 expectable boose if honestly carried out, and I there the difficulty arose. It was not at all I Ekelytobe carried out strictly. Begarding ' «*nse 160, prohibiting the supply of liquor &, children under sixteen years of age, he ttledhowwaeit possible for the publican to •■wrtain what was the age of a person eoapplyThen, again, there was no prohibition •gainjt children carrying liquor off the premises; "is* was a mistake on the part of the framer '„ of the Bill, and he advised that a provision I that kind should be made. The prohibi* ; tarn against supplying liquor to.drnnkards was ' J**t reviewed. The wives and children of . wuttkards would rather do anything than go : ttta Court and convict their husbands and I &&«*, and yet they are asked to do so. Do I **»y wife the publicity of the proceedings, and I s peat been, would be conferred upon many a I **ely tried and deserving wife and family I wSttfced » drunken husband or father. I ,«r Bowik screed with the general proI loons of the Biu» but thought they might be £ JasJenaDy amendedin committee. local Option 5j ■*» very generally acquiesced inby the House. % with the objection to the Native a aistaet licenses. He would object altogether I S las£L J .hotel licenses. It was a fact that I «"J could sell liquors to lodgers, which Si j* I*,3*1 * ,3 * that when men were put out of other Si tj""* they would go to these places for jp S*w eupplies. He also objected to the || r***B licenses, and was glad to see the pro* |. *oaal to with them. It was another |: [L ?*B* for eti&mg the law, and it put temptaI n? 11 !? 0 .^ e wa y pewone who were not in i -ri k 9*' to pnhlio houses. The I "*"« question was surrounded by many diffi.

culties. The fault of the Bill was that it did not define what a club was. Anyone might call their house a club, and by the Bill as it stands they could nob be objected to. He would abolish the lona fide traveller altogether. Let lodgers be served after the prohibited hours, but the lona fide traveller was a fraud and an absurdity. He was a nuisance to the public ac well as the publican. He would vote for his extinction altogether. He did not think there was any necessity for the sale of spirits at railway stations. It was a pity not to stop this before it became a vested interest in the place. He believed in discouraging the holding of more than one license by one person, and the owner of a house should be subject to some inconvenience arising from misconduct of his tenant. It would be enough were the house closed tebweea the one sitting of the Court and that of the other in such cases as this. There were other matters of detail demanding attention, which could be dealt with in committee.

Major Tβ Whbobo said that in committee he would give reasons for objecting to certain clauses.

Mr FtTLTOH agreed in ths proposal to abolish bottle licenses. It had been objected to that this abolition would affect respectable dealers. What guarantee, however, had they that these licenses would in all cases be entrusted to respectable persons. He knew of a person who once held one of these licenses, and who was now a licensing commissioner. That gentleman had told him that his men were constantly applied to by the females of the district to supply them with bottles of liquor in exchange for eggs, butter, and other produce, or else to have them put down in their bills as groceries. Some provision ought to be insisted upon for publicans providing against an outbreak of fire. Sir W. Fox moved the adjournment of the debate till to-morrow evening.

Mr Shbimski moved, as an amendment, that it be adioumed till Friday night. On a division, the ayes were 37 and noes 11. The motion for adjournment till to-mor-row evening was carried. AtrOTIOKBBBe BILL. The Hon. T. Dice moved the second reading of the Auctioneers' Licensing Bill. The object was to bring the law on the subject under one general law. Hitherto, those licenses applied exclusively to provincial districts, . "

Mr Lbtut said he was aware that the auctioneers in this city were desirous of suggesting amendments, and he asked that that day fortnight should be named for taking the Bill into Committee.

Dr. Wallis took objection to the Bill. The fees were too high, which would throw the business wholly into the hands of the large firms, and the trade would consequently be restricted. Instead of £40 he would suggest £10. Again, the penalties were too high. Mr Tttskbttll supported the Bill. Mr Shbimski suggested that the fees should be increased to £100.

Mr Sbddok spoke as to the allocation of the fees amongst the different local governing bodies within whoee districts the license would be exercised.

The Hon. T. Dick replied, and said that he had no wish to hurry the Bill on. The motion was put and carried, and at 12.30 (he House adjourned.