HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11747, 23 November 1903, Page 6

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES

SATtTRDAT, NOVEMBEB 21. After the telegraph office closed, the debate on the Public Works Statement continued at great length, a large number of members taking part. ! The second reading of tho Public Works Bill was agreed to on the voices, and at I 5.30 a.m. the House went into Committee lof Supply for consideration of the Public Works Estimate*, which were agreed to without amendment, and practically without discussion, in fifteen minutes; The Railways Authdrraatioa Bill was introduced by Governor's message, and read a first time. At 6 a.m. the House adjourned till 11 a.m. MORNINcTsiTTING. The House met at 11 a.m. An amendment was brought down by Governor's message to the Preferential Trade Bill, exempting the extra duties for three yeans from printing paper for whichcontracts have been entered into before November 16th, 1903. Tha amendment was agreed to. A PROHIBITIONIST PETITION. The Public Petitions Committee reported on the petition of the Rev. F. W. Isitt and others, praying for on enquiry into' the extraction of ballot, papers in the recent licensing committee election. The debate on the report lasted till the luncheon adjournment. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30. The committee's report on Mr Isitt'i petition was referred to the. Government/ * J. J. MEIKLE'S CASE. Mr SEDDON said it would require an Act of Parliament to erase J. J. Meikle's -lame Irom the prison records, and it would be impracticable to remove his name from all the records. Printed slips setting out the facts favourable to the man's innocence, including the judge's' remarks, should be inserted in the record*. There was no intention to pay bin-tuny further compensation. • •■•'.' ...■•••••■.• SECOND READING. Tlie second reading of the Kawhia and Awakino'Counties Bill was agreed to. : » STOCK ACT. ;';■ The Stock Act Amendment Bill (to make further provision for the prohibition of the introduction of diseased animal manures and anthrax infected bones) passed through committee without amendment. PCTBLIC WORKS BILL. In committee on the Public Works Bill, at clause 2, ."where land sold, road to give access to lie dedicated to tbe public use,'* an amendment to provide that tha clause shall only apply in the case of new.-road-was agreed to. In clause 3, "where land .fronts toad or street of lees width than 66ft, frontago to be set back," amendments were made limiting the operation ot the clause to the casea where land it subdivided into allotments for sale. An amendment making the -tCniste. the final arbitrator in disputes between the owner and the local authority was carried by 37 to 24. The House rose at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. The Hon* resumed .at 7.30. The Publio Works Bill was further considered in Committee. Clauses 12 and 13, regarding incfuiriea into accident on private railways or tramways, was* rtruck out. A new clause, to enable a local authority to take over any new road, even if it be less than 66 feet wide, but limiting the width to 48 feet, was added to the Bill. The Bill was recommitted, and subsection 2 of clou*. 2 was amended by limiting its operations to roads or streets in boroughs or town district*. Tbe Bill passed its final stages. THIRD READINGS. The Kawhia and Awakino Counties BUI and Stock Act Amendment wera read a third time and passed.