LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10129, 31 August 1898, Page 6

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tcksdav, August 30. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. THE BANKING BILL. The Banking Bill was further considered in Committee. Mr W. C. WALKER undertook to further consider clause 14, in response to a motion by Mr Jones, that the number of pioxies to bo held by any proxy-holder should be reduced from 500 to 100. In clause 17, "Compensation may be jicctpted in respect to liability for calls," Air KK.JG moved to strike the provision out. Mr STKVENS questioned whether it was not desirable to make all applicants go before the Supreme Court, instead of allowing the Directors to deal with cases involving less than £250. Tlie matter was eventually postponed for future deliberation. The remaining clauses were passed without amendment and the Bill reported. MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE REFORM BILL. The Municipal Franchise Reform Bill was committed. A long discussion ensued on clause 2, Mr RIOO moved that "lodger" should be incorporated in tbe interpretation of "residential occupant." Mr JENNINGS moved that the qualification should be reduced from £10 to £5. These were both negatived, and the clause was passed unaltered. On clause 4, "freehold qualification," Mr RIG'G mored that it should be struck out of tho Bill, but the clause was agreed to on the voices. Mr McLean's motion to amend the qualification of a residential occupant from three months was agreed to and "six months" substituted. Mr JENKINSON urged that the provision should be struck on* wliich prevente residents from voting , on financial issues ; but this was lost by "<?7 voU;s to 5, those voting in favour of the amendment being Messrs McCullough, Rigg, Jones, Jenkinson and Pinkerton. A proposal by Mr McLE/kN that nothing ki the bill should apply to the election ot nombers of a harbour board , , was negatived. Clause 15 was struck out- on the motion >f Mr OLIVER. The p roy isions of this llause conferred dual votinj; power on a man and his wife. The bill was reported with amendments, Mid tbe third reading set down for next day. (The Council rose at 5.. T to p.m.