LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13230, 25 September 1908, Page 9

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

J.- : (ABBUX.ED radii riiEsS ASSOCIATION.)

TuxasuAT, Sei'TEiujeb 21. , The Council met at 2.30 p.m. PUULiC WOKKS AAij^.\D.a.EXT. Tlie Pubiic V.oriis Act Bill was road a soooncl time, au<i referred tO ViKJ &Uil.U<.«> ivuVlblon, 01/Ullrutteo. JUDICIARY BILL The Al'lOiu\tt-(j£i-Si-RAL, in moving tbo second reading of tan Juuiciary iJilt, it ltAiairtd tlit> f.Lllost car.oideracioa and aoiiwrixitiou, and he lnirftKiou to asli tiuit it bo referred to tne Statutes iievision Loiuniitteo. 'ioo pxT{xn>o ot tue iiili was> to creato a reul Couri/ of Appeal uu Jsew Zealarjd, dioirict court*., and prov.uo a more eJlicumt anu economical judiciary tnan at present. .'s''■' The piwenz Court of Appual was really *? onJy v full court, appeals irom icdividual judges, wuo sonieiimes eat to review their own decisions. _ 'ilio j>rcaont system, also worked unsatisfactorily for several otber reasons, and i qaused the abseuco of judges from their I own districtSj which allowed work <o '. accumulate, causing dnco-nvenien-cx:. and hardships to litigants and tho public. lhe proposed new syutfxn would be more economical. Tlie district courts system was obsolete — ther© was no need for it. There would Ihj increased efficiency under tho proposed new system, and the expanse ■nould bo less. Tbo additional judge ! to the Supremo Court Bench would j not cast any extra burden on tlio Dominion. The Appeal Court, be."•idee sitting in Wellington, would aJso vi?it tho other chief centres when.desired, thus reducnig the oxpenee to litigants. It was obvious that ParI liam<?nt oonld not -pass tho Bill th» I reraion, But unices strong reason wns j uhown against it, it would be proceedI . ' cd with next session. The second reading was agreed to, «?nd the Bill was referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. MANAWATU RAILWAY. The Wellington-Manawatu Railway Purchase Bill was road a third time and passed. POLICE OFFENCES BILL. ' In moving the second reading of tho Police Offcjicee Act Amendiinoiit Bill, ;• the ATTORNEY-GENERAL said it ■was intended to introduce two impjrtaarb anu>ndmenfcs. One was to deal with habitual drunkards, and it was proposed to provide tor detention wlwn a man. had been convicted for (Irtmkcnweta and crimes resulting therefrom, instead of for dntnk©r.ines3 only, as at present. It was also intended to give pc-.ver for detention in the Solvation, Army a-r.id siraihir hom-cs. llie second reading was agreed to. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. The Juitdces of the Peace Act Amendmoiunt Bill was read a eeoond time. .. FIREi BRIGADES. Iα Committee on tJio Fine Brigades I - Act Amendment Bill, an amendment 1 was made to sub-clause 4of Clause 6, providing that a Board may borrow up to £i<J,OOO, instead of £3000. It was* rxplained tiat the alteration was made to mt«t th© requirements of ceriain centres. ' . . BILLS. The • ArrORNEY-GENERAL gave rotioe to introduce tho followiing Pills:—Auckland University College, L:» 'd Drainage act Amendment, j V. jieraton North Dairy Bill. National Provident Bill, Immigration Kctstricf tion, Mental Hospitals Reserves, £Lar--1 * bours Act -Amcmdment, h Gore Public r /j> Library. Stamp Act Amendment, lic*P ■ fonjio Act Amendment, Hamilton Doniain, Heavy Traffic} Old Age" PenBi'ons. arid State Fire Insurance. The Council rose at 4.45 p.m;