Parliament.

Clutha Leader, Volume VIII, Issue 408, 5 August 1881, Page 3

Parliament.

.THURSDAY,.. JULY 28.,; ;. In the Legislative Council — The Hon..Mr, : V^Ur.knr r informed the : Hon. Mr "Buckley* J tiiufc ' ! "Messrs'- Seed and Batkin's report on tlie'South;l-s]ai>d" would J^e .r,eady r in.- ti. few days. .... r . •••. ; The Imprest 1 Bill" was' read a' second I and third time.- -• '■'■ ■■-■' ' • ' ■' ■ - The Adoption, .of Bill was ; read a third time by 22 Vo > 6 votes. . . ' The Married^ Women's Property Protection Billlva^'^?e^Hli"tHii'dlime*liy*Ts" ■ to ii. . I , ■-:•--■ ■"* ,/ =.- :: ■; The "Vagrant Act- -Amendment Bill \ and the Hawke's Baynrid Marlborougli ' Rivers Act -Amendment Bill were "read; : a third time. - . ' In the House Representatives.— - The Hon, Mr Ro'llo'ston replying- to Mr M'Donald, said the -.Government had received with regret notice that.' a prominent member of the .Waste Land Board, Auckland, hart . resigned. ITe thought he had done so under a misapprehension. The Government would be guided by the law on the subject as to vesting .the powers .and, functions . now vested. in the, Board in the country councils, of the Auckland Provincial District,,,' " The; Hon. „Mr Dick .replying . ,to Mr. Macandre.w, said ;no. steps, had: been taken for laying off any portion of the; Seacliff >~- reserve : for (Dtage IndustrialSchool ; purposes, and that a f bill for' boarding-out pupils' 'had, been ; prepared' with the..yie'\y,'"oT being submitted, to' Parliament.. ; V The following ; bilis w.ere .introduced, and reacLa.first^time.:.— Westport Opal-, field and Harbour Arimiristrntion (Mr J.B. Fisher) ; to amend the Gold Dury Act, and to amend the Mines Act '(-Mr , Reeves) ; to amend 'The Con tractors' CebtsJ ALCt,. 1871 (Mi- Finn) : The : Waimate. Race, course R eset ye "( M r 1 , Studholme) ;, Fencing (Mr BryceJ I .'.' THE NO-COPJFIDBiiGB DEBASE; : was, resumed by Dr VYallis, vvho was followed by Messrs Tamo. ma, Jones, Pyke, Sedden, ,and J.B. Fisher* . The question. ; was then put ' that the bill be now read a, second time' with the following res^ulf;:— ayes 41 npea 37,. majority for: Governments. Mr TJundo'ii; stated that, having voted with. hisV party, against, the bill, he would now.for the- benefit of his constituents vote for the bill: Mr ;o Barro.n. .hoped if .the bill were read a second tiih'e its provisions would be altered in Committee. The bill was.re.ad a. second time. The Hon. Major Atkinson moved' that" it be committtd. to-morrow fortnight. >.: Mr de Lautour asked if this was an indication that the bill was to be withdra>y,n.',.'.. Jf 'so., .they should say so at. once, and not waste further time. Messrs Moss and Speight spoke to the .same effect.; Mr Seddon moved that it bo connmt : . ted to-morrow week. • He 'should novv support jhe bill. After some further discussion, The Hon., Major Atkinson said of course, tlib Opposition . always know better how to conduct the Government business better than .the Government. did. As long as they were on those benches, however, they intended to conduct their business their- own way. The-lbill was ordered .to be committed. to-morrpw, fortnight. . FRIDAY, JULY 29.. In the legislative . Council— The Medical Practitioners' Society Bill (Dr Grace) was : .;rea'd a first time. The Jnspectio.n', of Machinery Bill was,, read a third time, :and ; ' The Port Chalmers '• 'Cemetery Bill a third time. " : In the House of Representatives,— ; The 'Goldfields Committee brought up, their report on . the petition of Mr J.Flyha, J an4,«5 ; 9 others, pitying for the.-. removal of Mr V7arden Robinson from; Mount Ida/ 'The report was against,. the petitio.riirs^. the /charges .not being; supported •by evidence. The ,Oommit-'--tee added the following suggestion : — * That no, petition, alleging, charges of maladnainistratipn against magistrates; should be received: by the House, for, consideration unless '- such charges have , been represented" '.to' the .Minister 'for! Justipej,and .b^eni'.ref.u.^ejd; coi^sAdsraiibn,. or have been dealt with by him unsatis-"; factoriljr : to-; the .-petitioners, j; f an'd' that; alirpetiiions.: to be-in orders should. : ;dis-.i tinctly'kllege -'that'- -the ' representations , thej,, contain; have .been s.b deferred, to; thei'Ministerjandrefused consideration, • or unsatistactorijy dealt^witK^ ' Your ' CBmmiWee^ldH'^tHis^ reciimm.Qiidation~ b.elievib.g ithat' membpfs,* of" the H ,Hous!e are. n^a'dQu's^ of. ia.!ni'any cases, by dis-N Baiis^iipractki oners, and. (Jisapppintect,. sm^prs^tp; ca.st;;undeser ; ve;d.;a§pj?^sio.ns,; und^r vcoyeiu of :pfititions^ presented ..to. theiHonse^uponjudicial officers'.' ' - The; 4 report ; wwars r remitted' to! ;th"6 Sf^ndipg O^derk Qbmto\iisf /'";''' "\ :: : "' :^b^Tion!''Mi\E&\^'veii\fm^.. to Mr . Seddqn'^ ;^fd '^'.t|i^yajnetidineni of thef divorce laws promised last sessioni.w.as.. before the; Jjudica r ture- Commission, with the -iView-"'Bf .providitfg- the necessafy machinery for giving "effect ~to"""suclr amendmtent. • ' /,'"'"' ' : The Hon:' j Mr : Dick; replying to Mr Stevens^ r.sa^ that -res|r/ct.iqris,, j qp..the use oi firearms- were; l ejaa'cledrirjy^ t-her Public ,s Works ..Aat>:; jtandAw.hea/ithß Cflnsolfdatihn' Bilh was" underf -consi^ deration, faculties^ wouM r -'b6 : giVen^foK the"'Kbn7 v m r ßniber f inM'ddiicing. VciauiQ. proh,ibi.l^ng. .indjsc.rijhiaate".. jise -.bf J fms by^boyg. "' v " >% •; : ..

Replying' to Mr Finn,. The II bn. ; 'Mr : tTali said" that if thought jneeegs^vy/- when- the,- qQu.nties .scheme ■ was under* consideration,^provision coula Ibe made to compel councils and road j ! boards' to- comply' -wi'tli Section 13 of the ; '■ Public Works -Acfc j;/ a.] proviajon which j ] was at present being jieglected.. ! j The following 1 bills were read 'a second l 'tiind f-l'-r-Urowhi Suits, Diseased Xkttle^ .Public Reserves,. Employment of Females and other's, Companies, and 'Bjmk.s and BankerlTATct, 188.0,, Amend-r ; .ment Bills. ' ; The -'Borough, of Hamilton- -Boun- j ; daries Bill passed, .thrpugli iJommjttee. ; '. The 'Gaming; and.. Lotteries Bill'was j : considered in committee,. _; ; . ,: - Clause 8 (Use of totalisator). Mr* Shepherd objected, toTthfs.instrument being 1 legalised^ and moved that j the proviso in the' clause, 'except the ' same used .in conformity,' . etc., ,be struck out. On the question that the clause stand , as printed, the House jdiyided-r-r-ajes,, j 30; noes, 27. The -clause passed as f printed. ' ' ; ..•■. /' " Clause 9 (Chinese ; fan tan). - Mr George asked "the" Hon. Mr Dick ; who was in '"charge of the bill to explain- | what fan"tan~wasr~"7~ "; y J Mr -Bowen" thought this certainly , should be f done. He "questioned, whether ; fan tan" Was much nioi-e than a : garne'at 100. ..•••■*; •>:_»• Mr Speight hoped Mr Dick would not corrupt their morals by doing anything of the kind. .~ Mr Bryce suggested that fan tan was Chinese for chess. . . " Mr 'Reeves thdiight it might be as innocent as * kiss "iri'the ring-.' 1 He , suggested, that if .Mr Dick did not know , what it "was he sliould postpone the chjisejiUhe learripd:the game. / '■ The Hon. Mr Dick admitted $hat ,he , knew nothing; a.bput the nature of the gam,e. ... -They must have seen that Oh inese. .lind . been Jbxough t up. in .various parts, of .th-e Colony, charged with playing- this g:\mp, and it had been declared illegal by; the Bench. The bill had come down from the Council, and no doubt the mambers o,f that -body knew all about it. Dr VVallis said fan tan was a game where a lot of Chinese stood round a table, on which a lot of counters were thrown down,,. to one Chinaman. He svvppt all the counters up except one, and it depended on which corner of the table that counter was nearest who won. Mr Bowen said that this was an attem]>t, to, ; pursue the Chinese, furthr-r than the European. The latter were only prohibited from gaming in public places, w.hile, the, former could be pursued into their own houses. He considered that unfair. Mr She.ehan said that, while , they were legislating in this direction he ' might tell them thnt something }\ks 30 new hats changed hands amongst members of that Mouse over the late divi- , sion. lie thought they might do worse ihan direct a little of their legislation in the, direction of that class of gi»mbl-, ing. Mr Reeves moved that the clause be struck out. Mr Hirst hoped it woul ' not be struck out,, statipg. that in. the district he came from Chinese gambling houses had .become a perfect nuisance, besides demoralising' the rising generation. Mr Levestam said it might ..be a highly intellectual game for all they . knew, and he thought until they had more information it would bo' unfair to come to any adverse conclusion on the subject. Mr Barron concurred in the opinion ; that gambling was corrupting a great ; man}' 1 Europeans. ■ After 'further discussion, i Mr Macandrew. suggested, the, majttQr. should be left to the local government bodies. : " ' Mr .Barron. moved that the . >Yords . 1 Stchesk pool' be inserted. Agreed to on the votesi On the cjuestion'that the clause pass the House' divided—ayes, 39 ; noes,' li. Clause 12 (penalty). Mr Barron proposed that the penalty , of LI OO be struck out, so as to leave the justices no option but to commit; offenders to gaol.' ' Qetestion put that._the words LI OO stand part, of •- the. . clause.^ The. -House divided — ayesj 28 ; noes, 24. /'■eiAiV''"- : ' :;;: '•• :: •■■••-■ .cMfi,; Andrews ..proposed;, that j the: penalty be imprisonment without the option of a fine. '' ' v "" ' The House 'divided- on the question .that the. clause remain as printed^-r. ,ayes, 30; -noes, 13. . ' Clause" I's (exhibiting placardst or advertising betting houses). l: ■ ..Mr, ,^tey f ens- argue'd'that it would not ,be fair to expose the proprietor or pubilisher of a, newspaper to the 'penalties o.f this clause^ simply , .because^ . he . .might; . throu^n' mailveVtence pubfisli' an 'a'dve'r-* tisemeuf '"■ •.••'••■•••■ T■■ -, - 7 ; Mv De.Lautour thou^ht,that it was. the person wno' caused 'the' advertise-* ment to be inserted, and not the news-".' paper -jwho^ was^aimed at, and j " he-suggested-an-aiterahpn-bearing outtHat'iuipression'/ .' "''"... ~\;. « The .Hon^ . Mr- Dick .said .that,tl/e J 'penalty il even"in 'its application ! t6' newspapers was notiiin^'uaAomm.qn., ...They were Iraole^'for ■"act i v^e ! ftis s emerits" of a" libellous euaraoterM cStill ihe. would, not, - oppose. ibe .amendmen};. . r ', , \ •The"crausepassel o as"pfihted: ! " • " : Clause :" 18 T(penalfy ."for establishing lottery),

Mr Andrews mcved that the portion of tho clause empoweriri^ tile Colonial Secivfary "t~u. grant licenses for .disposal of worUs.ptlirt, &c, by lottery be struck ! Mr Jones moved .that , the words in | addi tin ri to works ', of art 'or litera'turfi ' ! be added. .Carried.. . , „ . , Mr Reeves moved tjie addition of the words 'or mirierat specimens.' ; r 'Carried. v j ' ~ ' '. ■■■ '■'■ "' Mr Seddon moved the; ackUtion of the ! words,/ mechanical models.' j " Carried: : l ''■■■'"■ i The House divided on the questionithat the clause as amended pass — ayes, *26; noes 10. "" '■ ' . Clauses' l9' to'23 passed as printed. The' House rose at 1 a.m. ■ - TUESDAY,- AUGUST -2. In the LegislativejCouncil — . The. Council went into Committee, on the .Licensing' Bill. ; : ThVHoh/M'r ' Whitaker gave notice Ito strike out. all the., clauses concerning I clubs, and to insert a series of newclauses far more favourable, to. clubs than those in the Bill as it came from itheljower House! ' ' ' iji Several minor -j amendments were made, and there was an animated deIbate' oh^ 'clause 12 providing- 'for the 1 election of Licensing Benches. The Hon. Mr Miller moved its reject'iony but' the elective principle' was carried; by 19 to 9. In the evening the Council sat till 10 o'clock over the Licensing' Bill when it reached clause 134- numerous unimportant amendments being made ahdseveral clauses postponed. Progress was them reported. , In the House of Representatives — On the raotio F n' 'of- Mr : Stevens,' the St. Paul's Presbyterian Church (Christchurcb) Trustees Incorporation Biil was read a third time and passed. : The .Hon. Mr Hall gave notice that he, would, ask leave to introduce the Railway Construction Bill. The Hon. Mr Dick gave notice that he would ask- leave to introduce' the Town Districts Bill. . , A .communication was read from the Auditor-General, stating that the sum of L3O" illegally paid To" Mr" W." L. Rep.s had not been- refunded. . The Hon. Mr .Hall, moved that the communication should be referred to the Public ; ' Accounts Committee.— Agreed to. The Hon. Mr Johnston replying to Mr Pyke'saicl that- inquiries would be made into the condition of affiiirs existing, at small telegraphic stations, with the view of relieving the operators from duty on Sundays. The Hon. Mr Johnston replying to Mr Pyko said that with the view of pre-' venting confusion, instructions would , be given to designate Alexandra, Otago, •' Alexandra South,' so as to distinguish it from Alexandra in Auckland. : The Hon. Mr Dick replying to Mr M'Caughan said the Government considered the" precautions already adopted in view of the , spread ,'of small- pox in [New . South Wales and Queensland were sufficient, and they would not suspend for the- present all communication with the port of Sydney. "' ' The Hon. Mr Dick replying, to Mr Murray said that in addition to a salary. : of L 225 per annum the architect of the' Auckland Board of Education received a commission of 2-J per cent, and'tr.aVRlling '• expenses 'on : work executed iunder'his supervision.: The Hon. Mr : Hall -replying to Mr Swanson said the Government deemed the.law as it. existed between landlord .and tenant .unsatisfactory, and that, if ; the v House permitted, steps would be i taken thi3 session to remedy, the. evil... - 'The following Bills, were introduced' and read afirst'tiuiecr^rrivercargill Gas • Works Site (I^ain),' Cliris'tchufch Muni- • cipaV Council Empowering Municipal Corporations -Amendment (Stevens) • , The Hon. Mr Hall ,moved> for leave to introduce a bill to readjust the representation of .the .people. . "Mr Bai'fqn moved' as an addition — 'That it'be" a recommendation to the" Government in framing the' bill, ;that the present : number^of . representatives shoul.d not beexceeded.,' .He disclaimedall intention of raising any part v^ question, stating' th'fjf;'he^. moved" the 'amendment in accordance "with a f ''general :f'eeling •• prevailing throughout the House. ■•■-The Hon. Mr Hall- said- -that the hiniisitar character of it, compelled him., ito suggest that it should not be pressed. It would be hardly. doing justice to the' amendment itseli. It was one requiring, debate and. consideration, and that could be 'best •given' oh' the second reading', ot the ,bi lt, ; " . . ; After considerable discussion the question was put that the amendment should; stand part: of" ,the ; mo.uon-^-ay es^ 22.; noes, 40, ; ; 'The bilf was 'then introduced and read k first time. . ; . - ; ! On. ,the motipn.. for, going into Com- . mittee df'Suj/pfy^it* was agreed, on the . ioiotio'rL of. ;Mr:J3oFen, t that- the sum. of L2OO bB- appropriated -for ]n*eserving the ' seeds and roots' of. valuable indigenous'" plants likely to become extinct on Rua-hinijTararua^-and "other f ranges. , The House then "went- J into" Committee of feupply -to 'consider 1 the' Estimates, ."■ ;■::: ■.: ;TEE ( EaT.IM,AT J ES... i .;,,.. ' Clause r 5-— -Postal and Telegraphs. ; L227^35i}: r " "■■■ "•"■•"*> ■-■•^* I &™ ' | The Hon. Mr .John'gou .said, th'atvbythe amalgamation of these two services , they had j^een 'enabled "to. .dispense with

the services of 31 officers, saving in salaries alone L 5931, and in other re;spects""the~ saving 1 "" had" been equally ; great. In all- they had been enabled to bring- down a sum this- year- 1 -- less -by L 37,000 as compared with those ofjhe I previous year. That saving* had been .'effected without in the least impairing!. ; the efficiency of the service. j Mr She'ehan, Mr. Turnbull, and Sir. 'George Grey complained that, as thlL Estimates had only been in the hands jof members for a couple 6i hours, they ■ should not be* "gone on' wit! f until time had' been allowed : for- tht ir" perusal." ,The form of. having the^yhole class. : taken as one Vote' was also objectionable." The Hon. ; , Mr Hall said ; it was a mistake to say that, the Government attempted' to' : force" on" the Estimates/ He contended that the proper time to have objected was when they moved that the House go into Committee of Supply. No objection having' been made, the Government concluded that the Commitfee was ; ready to go oh ! with the Estimates.. If desired, t the ; Government' would' not object : to"' the ; postponement. : "-• f A f ter some discussion, progress., was. reported. j The Inspection of Machinery Bill iwas introduced by message, from • the i Legislative Council, and read a first time, 1 TII£ GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL. ' The Gaming and Lotteries Bill was j further considered in Committee. I ' Clause 24 — Police may enter pre- ' mises where billiards are played. ' ' ' The clause was amended by the other ; games mentioned being, excised, and 1 was passed. ~ ' "' " ' ' Clause. 25 — Penal ries, for; obstructing constables authorised to enter suspected , houses; ■' ' ' • ■■" rv ' ;■ " -■•■• -••>•" : ■ , The term of imprisonment was on the motion of Mr 'Stewart, reduced from 'six to three months. : Clause 28 — Penalty for keeping a gaminghouse.' Altered from "twelve" to three months! imprisonment. ' ' Clause 29 — Justice may require persons apprehended to give "evidence." ' Mr De Lautour moved that the clause should be struck, out. The House "divided on the question that the. clause, should stand as printed! . Ayes, 30 ; noes, 24. Mr Reeves moved that progress should be reported. Mr J, B. fisher, supported the mo- ; tion, staring that the policy of the Government appeared to be ,to make . every person they possibly could criminals. The Bill was quite unnecessary, and- with the exception of Utago, there was no demand foi 1 it." The House divided — Ayes, 19 ; noes, , Clause 30 was passed without amendment. Clause 44 — Appropriation of penal- . ties — was amended so as to leave it ; discretionary wirh the judge to alienate , a portion of the penalty to the informer or not. Clauses 46 and 47 were struck out. Clause 48. ' ' Mr Shepherd moved that it should ,be struck out. " The question put that it be retained ; — A3 r es, 22; noes, 18. : The. Hon. Mr Dick moved the addi.tion of the following amendments after : paragraph 1, section 8, ' every prrsbn who uses, exhibits, or keeps any book, paper, writing, or other means or substance for the purpose of entering, i recording, or noting any bet, wager: or .game for any purpose by this Act declared to be unlawful, or who invites, i solicits, or procures any person to bet or make any wager or enter into any such game as aforesaid, shall be liable to ■ the penalties prescribed by this ;sectiori. f After section 28,' the following hew clause i—*' After the passing of this, Act it shall not be lawful for any' person] to print or' publish, or permit or. ; suffer 'tp be printed or published, any* notice^ handbill, placard, card, or "advertisement, for the purpose of inviting' attention to or in any way making public any reference to any cornbinatiorij transaction^ undertaking, agreed ment, or any other' "matter *or 'thing ;ho.wsqe,ver designated, which is by this ;Act declared to ! ba. unlawful, and Iw lie ther. such 'eombinatibh, frhnsactioh, .agreement, subscription. ' or any ■' other ; matter or thing shall' be called or knovyn by any name, sign, or device or noV; 1 .every person knowingly committing* .or suffering a breach of this provision shall be liable to a penalty of not less than " LTO nor more" than' LI OO "in: respect of every, such, offence..^ ._ ; "Mr 'M 'Lean objected to th'ese clauses, and remarked' -that.-'ae' fully !exp'ected the next. Bill they would introduce wouJd be' one to compel persons to gb to church and' attend Sunday schools. I Mr Moss said that if, they, insisted, jupon this extreme class' of legislation they would:. simply; bring, the whole law on ; tLe . subject into contempt, andj the. last state of the case would, beworse than the first. The words; ' for* kny. purpose declared by. this Act to be urilawful I ,'' 1 ' 'were' on : ' the motion ' being' put struck''but.' ' ' ' : " j Mr.Hamlin moved-^' That the Chairman do now leave the" chair.' - '" '■ '• The House divided — Ayes, 8 ; noes, 84/;. .';■;■■■' : . ; ./; i: " ;:;" : ; ; Messrs Suttun, Bowen, Gisborne, and others) declared the : new clause was going too far. It would -make; -i t., illegal to bet a pair 'of gloves or a shilling at whilst If it passed they wouldojjpose the bill.- ' ' " ■

The Hon." 'Mr Dick expressed bis willingnfissjo withdraw the new clause. Mr Jones -strongly objected to the withdrawal. ... .Tha.first.n'ew clause was, carried by 21 to 14. '"The Hon. Mr Dick then withdrew the second one. Mr De Lautour moved a new clause, rendering 1 the proprietors of Chinese gambling- houses liable' fco a penalty of ~rfot exceeding L5O, or in default of pay- - men t three; months' imprisonment with orwi'tho'uf'hard "labour. " •The clause was added to. the, bill. An amendment to the clause that the ■ bill' should 7conVe into .- operation on the Ist November, 1881, was carried, the schedule "was ! 'passed, and the ■ bill ..r.eported as amended. . The House adjourned at 1 a.m.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3. In the Legislative Council — The Council resumed the discussion of Licensing Bill in Committee. . Amendments of a minor nature were very numerous, and there were two divisions on proposed amendments. The first was on clause 195, providing a penalty for publicans harbouring prostitutes, which was moved to be struck out, but the clause was^ retained by 17 to 11. The second division was on an alteration in clause 189, the words "to the knowledge of such person " being strnck out by 14 to 13. By this amendment, publicans are made punishable for selling adulterated liquors either wittingly or unwittingly. At 5 p.m. the Bill was finished, except the postponed clauses, and the new Club clauses, which were postponed till next day, and the Council then rose. In the Houso of Representatives — The Hon. Mr Hall announced his intention of moving that in the future the House should meet at 7.30 on Mondays, and that one of the private members' days in each week should be given for Government business. The Hon. Mr Dick, replying to Mr Reeves, said the Government was now aware that Charles Bulared Tylden had been bound over to keep the peace. The affray was a trifling one, and one which did not affect his character in relation to his recent appointment as a Justice of +ho Peace, and the Government did not intend to take any further action in the matter. The Hon. Mr Atkinson, replying to Sir Geo. Grey, said the ten per cent, reduction was made for July in accordance with a resolution of the House. If the Estimates as framed were passed by the House, then that amount would be refunded from the 30th June. The Hon. Mr Rolleston, replying to Mr Finn, said directions had been given to pay the costs awarded by the Judges of the Assessment Courts to the successful objectors to valuations. The following bills were introduced and read a first time : — Kakanui Harbour Board Borrowing (Shrimski), Railway Construction and Land, to amend the Canterbury Rivers Act (Hall). Mr Macandrew moved that a Committee should be appointed to consider and report as to the best means of establishing a direct steam service between New Zealand and the Mother Country, the Committee to consist of Messrs Bain, Grey, Hutchison, Johnston, Montgomery, Pitt, Oliver, Richardson, Reeves, and the mover. He thought the Colony could well afford a service of the kind indicated. Indeed he thought the time had arrived when the Colony could not afford to do without it. A direct line like this would be a great incentive to the right class of immigrants being imported into New Zealand. The great difficulty they had to contend with was the length of the sea voyage. If they could reduce the time to .thirty or thirty-five days that difficulty would be practically overcome. On the other hand, it would open up direct communication with the Home market for their produce. The Hon. Mr Johnston said the Government had no objection to the motion, and were quite alive to the importance of direct communication being established. The motion was put and carried. Mr Wallis moved — " That the time has come when members of the Legislative Council should be elected by the people of the Colony." He argued that the nominative system gave the Ministry of the day an opportunity for acting corruptly. They were enabled to appoint their own partizans to the Upper Chamber. For example the Grey Ministry were in a manner forced to appoint no fewer than nine councillors in order to enable them to carry on the . business. The result was that it was not the wealth or yet the intelligence of the country tliat was called to the Upper House, but the most subservient partizans of a particular Government. In that way the Chamber was in danger of becoming crowded with political partizans. Then again, he^ objected to its present constitution) inasmuch as by life-long appointment it enabled Ministers to appoint their own particular friends and reward them with a small pension for life. It also tended to create an aristocracy — a class with all the feeling of the aristocracy— and it gave the Council enormous- advantage over the other branch off the Legislature. Their life-long appointment gave them a complete control, over legislation, and he i thought the time had come for taking the ; step proposed by the motion- ! The Hon. Mr Hall regretted the question' tion would not receive that full discussion land consideration it deserved. He did think it would be well, to abolish the

second Chamber: It was r&ost desirable* :that there should be such a Chamber ; «t . check was absolutely necessany for the-* successful working of their institutions.. As to the best mode of providing for that : Chambeiy.the. body , nominated as it was,.. ;had fronv,firsb to » last done gpod service. ■Still he did not think that the nomination jfor life, was the best course to follow.. "The membersfwere apt. to < get out of har-?--•monyrwittb tHe times, . and 1 ! tha vacancies, were too few to keep it in tune with the • times. It was not a i cunning-- question, , as such they.' were in a« condition to * it calmly,-, and J he was glad the.* '■ matter had been ventilated. What thoy - i wanted was the- best men they could get . ,for the- Legislative"- Council. Ex- Judges, i of the Supreme Court, ex-Ministers, and,* imany men in private life were^the clafes of : men who would be most eligible tor the ;Council, and by the meana-ihte-proposedf 'men of that class would stand the best •- cliance of election. The whole question •, was one for ventilation,. in. «onder that the - point-iaighfr. b"e carefully considered, and' \ with tliat view, he suggested that the >. motion should' in. the. meantime be with- - drawn. Sit George Grey cited'" th-e case of tho - Provincial Council, whose legislation waa ~ perfectly satisfactory, and yet it was done - by a single Chamber. So long as they had :t two Chambers they were bound to have • imperfect legislation,. as the one Chamber • always to a certain extent left- the matter to the care and consideratieu of .the other. In fact, the effect of two 'Chambers was to create a careless one, the feeling being that the check would be found in the - other Chamber. He insisted that the real state of matters was that the Upper • House had stood in the way of good logis- • lation. They had all along moulded land . laws in tho interests of the squatter. It was wrong that there should be a second v Chamber co which a defeated candidate. * who was useful to a Government might bo- .- called. It was unjust and antagonistic to - common sense. Was it right that a . gentleman like the Premier should be - allowed to resign his position in that «< Chamber when ho thought fit? and yetthe Crown was bound to retain him if ho - thought fit, as a member of that Chamber - for life. He understood that the Premier - intended to introduce a Bill to modify th©> constitution of the Upper Houso. That . was what he had led the country to expect, and called upon the Government to - make good that expectation, and he was. sure they would all aid tho Government . in the endeavour. A number of other members spoke and ?, the debate was interrupted by the 5.30 > adjournment. The House went into Committee on ;< the Timaru Harbour Board Endowment Bill. The landed endowment to bo granted- ; was reduced from 100,000 acres to 50,000 ; < acres and the Bill was reported. Mr Weston movod the second reading of the Offences Against the Persons Act Amendment Bill. Mr De Lautour invited the Houso to-., consider the Bill carefully. The tendency of introducing the lash, as proposed, was •; . to brutalise, instead of repress crime. They should refrain as far as possible from interfering with the criminal law until the reform now going on in England? had further developed — not to follow the^ development strictly, but simply to look, at it for their counsel and guidance. Ho • hoped the motion would not be pressed. Mr Fulton agreed with the clauses of " the Bill objected to by the previous * speaker. He knew from experience as a magistrate that it was an extremely diffi- - cult thing to get a woman who had been, brutally assaulted to give evidence. The • laah was the only adequate punishment that could be awarded this class of" cowardly assailants. Mr Stewart said married women had' sufficient protection under the Married:* Women's Protection Act, {and if cruelty was persisted in she could easily provide ■ for her protection under that Act. In., many cases it was the husband who required protection. It was absurd to debar a husband, simply because in a hasty moment he might happen to be guilty of " an indiscretion. The Hon. Mr Rolleston hoped tho clauses providing for flogging would bepassed. If the Bill was not passed it . might fairly be taken as a symptom that . the House meant to deal lightly with;, scoundrels. It seemed to him that theexperience of their magistrates, like thomember~ltm Caversham, was to go f or • nothing. He would support the motion. Sir George Grey implored the House • not to re-introduce the punishment of; flogging. Mr Stevens agreed that the offence of ' wife beating was prevalent in the Colony, , and that it was evident the existing^ penalty was insufficient for its repression. There were several offences ior which the - lash was provided} therefore it waa nonovelty. The- offfenee was ono demand--ing further legislation*. and he held that . the penalty proposed waa .the direction in. which they should go« Mr Barron supported the okuse. The offence was a dastardly one, and the-, punishment was not at all too .great. Mr Jl B, Fisher said that punishments •. of this kind would have the effect of de--f eating the -very purpose for which theywere intended;. Once a punishment, of," this kind had been inflicted, all chance of " reconciliation between man and wife must. . be at an end. Then, again, the effect to * children was equally debasing. Mr Bo wen thought that tho laah should: only be resorted to|under an indictment,,, and not for a first offence.- There ; .wa»; nothing but whipping for- habitual, wife-: abuse. In such a case; he could see no r reason why they should have the. least, consideration for the offender. •. It seemud i to him that tho tendency of ( the day, was-. to entertain a sentiment for the feelings * of criminals to tho detriment of the well- - behaved class of the community. The Hon. Mr Hall said he would support the motion. He paid great defer • ence to what hadibeen said, by Mr Fulton. . Wife-beating was an offence which was on* the increase, and it was necessary to dosomething for its. repression. The punishment providedjfor would, he believed,., have that tendfency. The Bill required*, amendment. Whipping should only^be* ;for an aggravated assault, and on'tni* I understanding that it would be amended^. , (in that direction he would support it. ; , ! After-further debate, the second read—ing was negatived by 23 .tbtlQ ■• i The s Houae rose at 1.26i1> ,: