NOXIOUS WEEDS AND GOATS

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12604, 21 September 1906, Page 7

NOXIOUS WEEDS AND GOATS

LEGHSLATOBS AT PLAY.

(anCtAL IO "THX PBBM.")

WELLINGTON, 20. As on two previous occasions when Mr R. MoKonzio's Noxious Weeds Bill, •wfaich proposes, to throw the responsibility of clearing lands and roads on to local bodice, was in committee, the House to-night set up a stubborn stonewall, which lasted practically for the. whole of the evening's sitting. By way of travesty on the whole proceedings, ■after a great deal of hilarity, during which the Acting-Chairman. (Mr FJatmaii) was placed in some very amusing positions on points of order, Mr Jen* ninge moved aa an amendment to clause 3 to provide that the land shall be cleared by means of Aingora goats. The Deputy-Chairman gravely -warned the hen. member not to trifle with the Bill. The member for Egnxrat, however, affected to be in sober earnest regarding tho goate, which are safil to be doing good work in exterminating noxious wende in the Teranaki district. On being informed that hie Amendment was not in order, he moved to report progress, in order that the opinion of the Speaker might be taken, on the decision of the Chairman. The House, of course, treated £he matter as a huge joke, but Mr Jennings came within one vote of carrying hie motion. The division list at first returned by the tellers ehowed— Avee 21, and noes 20. Meesm It. McKeiusie end- Carroll, however, explained that they had voted with the noes, and that their names were not included in the list. The Acting-Chairman asked the tellers to correct the lists, and . this hay-« ing been done. he triumphantly declared the ayes to be 21, ami the noes 22. "The noes have it," ho announced, amidst laughter. "It is very rough on the goat," exclaimed Mr Wilford. (Laughter.) Shortly afterward* Mr McKenzie capitulated, and moved to report progress. Tho House then dispensed in one of fcho merriest moods that it has been in this ecenion.