LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11377, 13 September 1902, Page 8

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Friday, September 12.

The Legislative Council met at 2.30 o'clock. LEAVE OP ABSENCE. Leave of absence for the remainder of the session was granted Mr Montgomery on accoant of illness. MINING BILL. The Mining Act Amendment Bill was recommitted, and clause 2, dealing with the Parapara lands, was further discussed. On the motion of Mr Rigg, a provision was inserted that the manner of fixing the terms on which the lease may be purchased by the State must be set forth in the lease. It was a!so made clear, on the recommendation of the" Goldfields and Mines Committee, that no area in respect of which any mining privilege already exists shall be included in the lease. The cSause as amended was passed. A motion by Mr Reeves, to strike out the provision that no miner shall be required to be underground for longer than eight hours continuously, was carried by 17 votes, to 7. The clause as amended was then carried. Colonel PITT brought up several amendments, devised with the object of giving the Supreme Court jurisdiction in mining cases where the value of the property involved is over £500, and of providing machinery for the removal of cases from wardens to the Supreme Court. The Minister said the people concerned had no desire to bring in the Supreme Court, being quite satisfied with the tribunals now provided. He opposed the amendments, which were lost.' The 'Bill was reported with amendments. The Council rose at 4.30 p.m.