PARLIAMENT IN SESSION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 899, 19 August 1910, Page 6

PARLIAMENT IN SESSION.

[: OUR PRISON SYSTEM

r|^.;; ; ;DEBATEiN ; THE COUNCIL; i$: : :':r : lost bank-notes. PETITIONS MISFORTUNE. J|' :'; :THE HOUSING PROBLEM. -'.:-The .whole -of the'".. afternoon. 1 in the ?,'"':.". Legislative.- Council, was spent: in de- ;..:.;;.'•; bating the L Crimes 'Amendment Bill, a h, i' '■-.< special interest being, given to the de-;:-V£-'-:bate-by; the criticism: of the former Min-/.-'■'''.V'lster for- Justice, ;the Hon. J. ITGowan. The. debate-will.be resumed this- after- .'; ;;?-;nrion.-_ During tho afternoon "sitting of- .-'{ ;.'":. the -House, several local Bills; were ad>'i; yaiiced'n further stage,.and a number of y.*:'- Committee - reports'., were dealt . with. .:.:-', iThere was an interesting discussion in evening on Mr. Sidey's Public Health : !; ;< : ..;:JBill: which propose- to, extend therpow- ;-'-!; ers'Vurider . which insanitary.. buildings 'r'p'|ihay. be ordered to .be demolished.- Sub- :'•' Mr. Eussell's Bill to secure !;j.:'r, : !th'e.reform of, the Upper .'Chamber .came '.;'..-' .'up:;for; discussion..,in Committee, - but no .progress, had.-. "been made |fci 'jwhen. the- House, decided- to adjourn..'.

THE COUNCIL. '

; CRIMES'. AMENDMENT BILL, I* ME. M'GOWAN OPPOSES THE PEISON !' ' BOARD.

the -Legislative Council resumed' b : : V". yesterday'' the;''debate on the Crimes ■'.; Amendment Bill was resumed: by'- '~;:,!: •■'■ The Hon. W. C. F. CAENCROSS (Tara- >.' V :■■ [naki), who said there. was no limitation ', 'V:(of 'age of the.criminals to be.dealt'with, :i\v- .''and .this matter might be given attention. ■';,'- -He; disagreed-.with th'o', : views.of Mr. Bigg -.-•.:;'. iriiregard ■. to the' employment' of- .prison v;-.'; 7 labour.; .The prisoners would, 'no doubt! ''\'|be brought into 'competition'' with free • would bo to"a'n ; ihfinitesi- >; ..Jr.'.vDial: '-'degree.'; ] Surely trade -unionists. ;,:. I „.cduld-nbt be. so timid,as to be afraid of >;';■;; • '■• this; slight possible' competition.. Would ;;..j\ rit not'he better.to take'a higher viewand ;.';,;: j'.give these men the .opportunity of; loarni',v:. irig,:a .trade? .. In the "interests of the; !;--;fe. that prisoners should be taught a. trade, ; . i: : ':'. : . 60' as to prevent .thenv from'drifting back '■'.\l'-t and becoming n charge on the peoplu.." .-......-.■ . . . ■ .

. Long Life and Prosperity. -) The Hon. E. A. LOUGHNAN (Wclliiv

i % -": ton)' said the reform was'.:lmsed ..on '..the '~ :>:;. classification:: of prisoners", - with.; the lever ;.j',- of'tie; indeterminate sentence.: The best ..'';;'. that■:was ini.tho;prisoner .would.be ap- | _'■'■'.'pealed ./to ; by. ■■•. the..-proposals outlined -by ■■'■.)■. the.! vAttbrneyrGeheral. : The .criminal '■'."(•'■■, sh'ould':be)encouraged.'.'to;w.ork, , ,and w-hy, ■;i; i ihe.asked, should.'that. work'be restricted to )?4!:''unskilled'labour? '. The greater-, part.of;.;:.'''those'.who ; reformed.'would .at/once 'go Y-r'si to" 'the, land if i'their'reformation was sum-, ? : : r :''. l ciently complete. 'They would not;really. :'(:■'•,!'V disturb .the ranks, of skilled labour. They :/ : ; ; ...\Tnight!..w'ell. be' generous and .teach,; the ;V;' anonV-all■.they could, without- thinking of■ ■■^"imaginary,,injury.', to..>bour.: The,, sysS\'} tern. : had. to be .examined,further, but, he iilf!.' 'thought ;w6, had/every' reason: to .wish it :; ; ; ,i ..^ for:'Justice;;f\;^v ; : : ! -;• is : :^;-.The/ ; Hou.:''vJ'i M'GOWAN : .'commended fi'f I the effort's'•':of : the -Attorney-Gerieral in a /^i].^!S•ery'^diffib^t'■ : ta^.''■..l%ere;''woul<^, : •''•..■how- , !'; i l| .:' ; ever/' be: BriminalSr'for'all/time;-but':it .'•'i'''?7'-'"'|waVa good 'thing' .to endeavour to 'reduce .{ ; ;i'- the, number. V" ; The: funds'of -'; the- 'State- ,;/;;'- should not.be- used for .the. purpose': of 4;i(-.'.trainihg\ prisoners in ■ "/skilled., labour. all'were. anxious to mako -men' riil-'-jjetter, the cost of'the reform should not •Vj: '.be; on: the. community; while .'there., were ;i ';■■ 'honest.poor people who. were not so.well i':V. :, >cared:for..-, >Vhen| a. man,became a pris-, he., ceased to. tea/p'rq'yidini?. nieru-; H'V; '■'■'■- ber of -'the community, "and became: a bur-!M'-J::llden;:on:the.State..s-'Mrl'M'Gowan quoted h r 'M 'authorities'• to. show .-the good .done by! fc:-;---^past prison supervision. ■ .- |i : !'-;'; V,--.'. The;: Attorney-General: /That. 13 \ providBill:, V. "■.< '■■•'■■'■'" '■". ..'-,'.'": ; ' proceeded to remark on I" ,: :.:ii.'the 'large.quantities 'of. American prisonf;,i;:J which. 1 had; in:the' past been '([ >iv; : landed in/New: Zealand: after going, froni America to England. '.-The'!evil:-was not '?y'M. .60-pronounced -to-day. . stsVit i-had; 'been. |.:-i:.':.-, .He. was' not ; sure but that it ; had : not t'.'ij-;-. Btopped'; '. altogether'. -' > The .proposal to i.-V •v, set; up a I'risoh ■ Board'.- was,' said Mi.

\'':i.i>y 3l'Gowan, .undemocratic and ..unreason--fe.' ./able. :;The Attorney-General;; should .get &:>.!;■ ; s rid. .'of the proposed .board.-and take, the tf,/;-.-'.clifc»t':re^iisibUity., ; hin^f/';lt'-wfis , 'all- | f : ;'-'very;well to say that because 'a.-judge-of: (• , : ; . the Supreme.. Court -was on the board it |.;':.'•■;;•■. jjwould'be all\right. .If the, hon, gentleman. \;p'';•■:■ wished \.to \ provide a' i- whip"■',.• to- heat p,;. : .','bis. colleagues;in the. other House, he was' fit-'/": surely, doing,it;by:this.proposal.. AnyonOi i:,-" with .experience .of 'what 'occurred. when

l\ ",v the'-railways .we're, controlled by-comrais-' t.;. J .!'.-',siohers,.would never again• tolerate conif'.::- smissioner. control .'of: any public service. : t:v!,: The ; Hoh. Dr.: FINDLAY, .said Mr. t;:,;.•■•;.'.U'Gowah' had himself put. the principle P.;'::-. ■■'.inlith.e. Habitual Criminals'.Act in 1907.

P ; '; ..'-'He then 'made'/a judge, of the.Supreme t; ,!. the. soler'authority -to ' determine h;:'': rwhen'.'a .habitual- criminal "should be re-f-j:|i:V.\ileased.;',: y ''''-'''; ,''■'■-■■..;,''•.■.'•'.'. ;.';'■'< ..',

t,-;; A. ;Mr.;M'G6wan'.urged-.thati'that -Was-J--/.'..not any. responsibility off '.'• the 1i... shoulders ofv the Minister. .' ;; -A ~,-'Dr. Eindlay-.lt: is: '■;' .;■/ V.u,:-,"., F;V.:.:/;' Continuing;.'..Mr;.. M'Gowah .. admitted j-Nv ■'■-..that; when ; heiiwas, Minister for, .Justice. E.;'' ; no.;.had; not been.abk' : to.put' into opera['.■..;.'.'tibn all the. reforms he. desired,-.but. he" t;;V- '} shad done -his; best,'and would, h'a've>done. ?:;:■■'■. .jnofe-had he Dr. Findlay's eloquence. He f .:,'.,,"iad ploughed; the ground roughly,, and tV-.A.; the trusted , that:' Dr... Findlay would, be £■>•■-■■ iable :to v work. itrto. the'best advantage. >;-''.. Punishmenf'could: not be done away .with, {.';•'.-:' 'and he would'not. object to the lash for, t-. .certain.classes'of'offences. He believed' ' jthat'the 'old-saying, "Spare the rod, spoil !;;.;:.'■ /'the' child,"..was- true.,- \ •'*';'. ; | v':';'--,;' Mr.;.Jenkinson: The lash stopped larri- \'~:;-: Jrinism in 'Sydney. . f).' : ; : .-.-."j' ; ;.''" : -'.Mr.. M'Gbwan .said 'that the.lash' had ?;i.!:'.r;:-'also.-stbppf!d a certain class of crime in Reverting to the establishment Si- : . -;:qf.'a; board,-;; Mr.. M'Gowan said it would The Minister : should re-. f.y •; 'tain -the control..-. In .conclusion,' Mr. j: VH-M'Gowah said .he would be. prepared to (~■;..■ forgive-all the defects -in .the Bill were \ :-.-i■■•:■'; it not-for .the.board proposal.''' He'.would f.'-'.-.Talways/.vote:.against .the/board.'-. If the |; ... J Minister could not.devote;the time ,withi 1 ;-■ .out , : a board; he;should give ;the proposal !■;..;• up. ,;■-;'.:. > -.. ..,, ;■;';..-.-;:.:'.-.- .... r : ; ?-.'.. ;. Tho'.debate -was-.adjourned,, on. tho mo--11...:.-;11...:.-;l 1 ...:.-; ,;.hon,ofthelH6n. Oi/Samuel... ■■~

[ THE HOUSE

I ■'..-'' A MINING BILL. .: " ' j, .When the. House met yesterday •' [ . The Mining Act Amendment Bill 'was f;. -; introduced,- and read a first time. |;; ; "y ; PROGRESS OF THE SESSION. jV, .;;■, •' -WHERE ABE: THE IMPORTANT : :-.' '■, "■ BILLS?' ti:; v . -deferring .to the delay which is being A.- ■■•experienced, in. reaching, the important 'I ,'-work of, the session, . f ";.:' Mr.T. E. TAYLOR (Christchurch t :•'■:. North) said that eight weehs had now '(■■ >'.;.. elapsed : without the real work of tho (•.;'■'/ session having been touched. Where • . ; -were ' the ' important Bills' which were i' ; ' foreshadowed in the Budget? There }V was, for instance, no sigh of the Land !•-• Bill. Then, again, where, was the Sinkl' : ing: Funds'-Bill?■•• "iAnother important ►; .' measure was the Local Government Bill. [•'> • Thon there was the gaming, legislation. £:>'■■, Not n word; also- had been saiil as to f whether there was to be a licensing roenS .sure. If important Bills ■ had been on \\. the.order-paper the Budget Debate would t ■■"jjiot.have lasted ,one-third of- the time j which it had done. The impression .was j .gaining ground that the Bills that really :mattered would be packed into the last j, Hour or five weeks of the session, and

would be put through .without tho consideration : they deserved..' ..The Mnaiicial,Debate lasted so long largely becauso liiefe were only one or .two tinpot. Bills down. Such a Bill as the Local Government Bill should be discussed in every clause, and should be- referred to- local .bodies for their consideration. The Hon. J. CAKROLL said that it was very hard to account for tho reason' why the Budget Debate was so long drawn out. It was hard 'to control members if they: desired to speak. To everyone it was. evident, that there was an irresistible desiro on. the part of the Opposition to discuss the' Budget. A. similar desiro had also animated members on Hie Government side. If they were going to measure 'the probable length of the session by the time which it had taken to discuss tho Budget it was evident that they were in for a •cry. long 'session. . Tin- important Bills foreshadowed in the. Budget would most certainly bo circulated among members/ and they would be dealt with as early as possible. ' ..'.-,

BANK NOTES LOST IN THE PENGUIN.

: ' .'. WHO IS -RESPONSIBLE? ' An unusual-case involving great hardship on a small Marlborough contractor named F. Tetley was then discussed. Mr. DUNCAN (Wairau) stated- that Tetley. entered into a contract with tho Marlborough Education Board to erect a school in an out-of-the-way place. During .the, courso of the work he made arrangements with the secretary of the -board to cash his cheques for time payments and send him tho' money in bank notes by registered post, as there was 1 no bank in the locality. Upon the completion of the. contract there was £62, 10s.' due to Tetley. ; In accordance with' the arrangement the secretary cashed Tetley's cheque and/posted the bank notes to,'.him in a registered letter. Unfortunately the letter, was lost in. the Peh-guin-wreck.'-.The position now was that the Bank.of New Zealand had gained the 'amourit'in question because the notes, would never be recovered, and Tetley had lost the amount, which he could ill afford to bear. If the numbers. of the notes had been known* the-.bank would have been liable. The' secretary, however, did not take the precaution of taking tho numbers! of the notes., Having now- exhausted his legal remedies, Tetley had appealed as a final resort, to Parliament, but the Education Committee had now ' reported:that it ha'd'no recommendation to nlake.-.;'

' Tho Hon. G. FOWLDS. (Minister for Education) admitted that 'it was ' undoubtedly a : case of great. hardship.' The Government, however, could not-be held responsible for accidents of'the kind in connection ...with . transactions . between boards and contractors. /In cashing the cheque tho secretary .was really acting outside his, proper functions—was. acting, as'agent.for Tctley..' It was a. pity that some arrangement could not 'be .made whereby the; bank: would refund; the amount to him.' ;:.>'■> ' .Mr..' FISHER . (Wellington Central) thought .'that if tho amount were ' proposed' 'to'- be: voted by. way of compassionate allowance not one: member would 'raise"'the slightest<objection. -.'.-■. The Hon. R. M'KENZIE held tbattho. sum should be put on the ' Supplementary Estimates because the taxpayers.\of this, country received- a .large-amount, from the'banks for allowing them to circulate their, notes, within ;the Dominion.

1 ' Mr. ,T. It. TAYLOR \ (ChristchurcJi North) thought that the humane remarks made. by".'Mr.' ; ,M'Kenzie.were in striking contrast to.the official cold-blooded reply given ; by Mr. I'owlds. He ■ had always heard'that West Coasters were very .generous :,witli"-pdbhv money.. (Laughter.) Auckland members also would have no hesitation in ; voting .£30,000 to" refit tho Government House at Auckland, ndtwithr standing .the;.fact' that it might not bo used once in five years.. (Laughter.). In Wellington, also soldiers were paid for walking ■up and down".in front of: the vice-regal'residence, although was hot a' possible; chance .of anything being stolen.' (Laughter.) Members.~also had not the slightest hesitation, in voting ,£2,000,000 for a Dreadnought. : Apparently the bank would,neither do the, just thing nor the generous thing.-i; . ■ . ' '. ;rAfter further, discussion, in which general sympathy was expressed;for. Tetley,' ■it was decided, on th'eA amendment of A(r.'Duncan, to refer the petition back ■to,the Committee for further consideration. ..;, .'■' .' ";"'• V , ■''.'-. .-. ■ '

■'■;;;•;; LOCAL BILL?, .; ." ; '■■ The ■ following Local Bills were read a second time:— -'•/.■.■ - ■'-. Borough of Hastings Electric Power and Loan-Empowering'Bill....V ' . .'■ ' Christchurcb. Tramway District Act' 1906 Amendment Bill. ■•'. ..;■■ '■■'.': ' Nelson City Loan and Empowering Bill. .' . ■■■■ " L ''■ '' ■ Gisborne" Harbour Act 1905 Amendment Bill.' .-.-:,' '-'■ K V •' ■■'"'. ■"■ ■It was agreed, that-the Otaki County Bill should- be referred back to the Local Bills Committee. ;..•' .';'.■' .' '.'..■ J .PHOSPHORUS MATCHES BILL.! The Phosphorus Matches Bill was read a third time'and,passed. '

TOWN BOARDS AMENDMENT BILL.

: ■ SECOND."BEADING DEBATE. ; In moving ■ the second reading of the Town ■ Boards Amendment Bill,

TheiHon. D/ BUDDO said it was proposed to empower, town boards to undertake water., supply, lighting, sanitation, and the. establishment of libraries.,

: "Mr. MASSEY said that the Bill showed the need for, local government -reform.. The present local, government system was entirely out.of date.; In face ot that fact he, was surprised ;that, the Government should wish to deal with the; subject piece-meal. ' ■ . ■ Mr. STALLWORTHY (Kaipara) thought; that; the measure was an indication that there' would be ho Local Government Bill this session. s - ... The Hon., D.. BUDDO (in; reply) said he believed Mr. Massey, had opposed the last Local Government Bill. .The Bill was then read, a second time.' .'■'..' STONE.aUARRIESBILL. .: : , In Committee-on the Stone Quarries Bill, > The Hon. E; M'KENZIE (Minister for Public Works) moved an amendment limiting the' scope of'permits to. managers ior foremen in charge of blasting operations, instead of in charge of any explosives in : .a.quarry. .. Mr, ANDEKSON (Mataura) thought 'that the' Bill was quite unnecessary. .MT.'PEARCE,,(Patea) asked whether the : clause as amended would apply to an employer who was alone working a quarry for the purpose of getting coal for a local body.;. •: .. ' At this .'stage progress was reported.

'. THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

■TO'SECURE HEALTHY HABITA- ;■:■ ':- ,-TIONS. In- moving -the second reading ■ of the Public Health" Amendment Bill, Mr. SIDEY (Dimedin North) said that the measure, which, extends the powers of the public authorities in regard to securing the demolition of insanitary buildings, met .with the .approval of'tbo Dimedin City Council and other municipalities; There were conditions prevailing ' in Dunedin. a. town which was no worse than any other New Zealand city, which .called for action and, the ■ extension of the powers uf, the local authorities. The Bill proposed that on- the certificate of the District' Health Officer in the case of any. building or part of a building unfit for occupation or dangerous to public health, the local authority could give notice to the owner requiring him to pull down the building or to make alterations or additions to the building deemed necessary by the Health Department. Failing compliance within the specified time, the local authority, could apply to a magistrate for an order lo have the building pulled down at the expense of the owner. In cases whero the council and the District Health Officer wero agreed that a building should bo demolished, it was asked, that the magistrate .be.'bound to make the necessary order. In such cases it was urged that the owner should Kve no right of ap-

peal. The Bill was of urgent importance, and was only following on lines laid down or advocated in older countries.

Hard on the Owners. Mr. HAN AN (luvercargill) ■ thought the Bill sought to put a very great poner in the hands of the local authority. Ho was as willing as most members to-place reasonable powers in the hands of. a local authority to enable them to destroy slums, but owners should have somo opportunity of having their cases heard before a reputable tribunal. He was not prepared to support the Bill as it stood, but he would support it if modified. The Hon. D. BITDDO said he know that in more than one ease in Dunedin the magistrate had refused to make orders. He would not give any protection to slums—in fact, the sooner they were done away with the better. However, the.owner must have reasonable grounds for objection to the condemnation of a building and haviug it removed at his own' expense. This proposal took the whole power from the owner'and absolutely no appeal was provided. Unless there was some method of appeal, the owner was condemned without a hearing. He did not intend to oppose the Bill, which he -thought 'could be amended. The provisions of; the Public Health Act were certainly not sufficient, N and he thought moro power might be given to the local authority and the District Health Officer in order to get'rid of slums. Mr. Sidcy might, he suggested, agree to give the owner tho right to tender evidence before a magistrate and get a decision accordingly. . The Hon. T: DUNCAN (Oamaru". did not think the Bill should be pursued at the present time. Less Risk in Large Houses. * Mr. A. W. HOGG (Masterton) said that the purification of the cities, in which tho population was increasing, was an important work. The subject matter of tho Bill was such as should have been "discussed . by the municipal conference. He would be sorry to. see magistrates 'turned into helpless brooms for sweeping ont slums, as tho Bill .would make them. The Bill should be allowed to stand over until next - session.

Dr. To EANGIHIROA (Northern Maori) referred to the need for ensuring sanitary residences and other buildings. Speaking as a medical man, he wished to point out that tho smaller, the structure tho greater the need for inspection. He .quoted figures to show tho death-rate in various-sized houses from a,return recently compiled. These showed that tho death-rate in house's of four apartments and over was 11.2 per 1000; iii houses-of three rooms, 13.7; in.houses of two rooms, 21.3; and in houses of one room, 32.7.

• Mr.WILFORD (Hutt) said that he was /sorry, ho could not sun'port the Bill in its ■ "present l form. Alf that was necessary,, ho argued,,.was a slight amendment to the original Act. > Mr.. T. E. TAYLOR (Christchurch North) said that the Bill and'other measures which were to ''come' before Parliament pointed to\the need, for local government reform. The Bill went in the right direction, but owners should have the right .of'.anpeaK He would sooner see compulsion to secure sufficient pure air in habitations than support, any vaccination law. "Nothing Like'it in Russia," '. Mr. 1 WRIGHT (Wellington South) declared, that if dwellings were condemned in a wholesome manner it would mean an increase in the price ■;. of rents. There were ho slums in New Zealand; anything like what existed. in the. Home Country; This Bill proposed to give too much power to health officers—there was nothing like'it in Russia.

■Mr.: GLOVER, (Auckland Central) said the municipal corporations had not the powers they should have, and he looked to see extended powers, when .the Local Bodies Bill was brought down. Ho iad known .houses condemned by the. health, officer which houses had been allowed to stand by the local authority on condition that certain alterations were carried out ..Mri LAURENSON (Lyttelton) said ho recognised the difficulties of, compelling people ' to maintain 1 a sanitary stylo, of dwellings in the towns. The attempt to improve the conditions 'deserved support and he hoped this proposal was .the forerunner of a much more extensive measure;. ~ ' ■ .-:..■'.:

Mr., 'POOLE''(AiicklandJ'West) supported the Bill, but recognised that somo modification would be necessary to protect the owners. ;' ■■■■■'

Mr. 'E. H. TAYLOR (Thames) thought the health officers. should have considerable powers.. He did not want slums to develop in New Zealand. He hoped, the ,discussion.'that' bad taken place would give the Government a lend in regard to the' Local Bodies Bill. . ';.'■'

Should There be Compensation? Mr. HALL (Waipawa) contended thai the measure should have been a Government measure.. The' House should hot be led into passing ' any measure ■ which would have the effect of putting the small capitalist at the mercy or the medical .., inspector who knew nothing about scientific sanitation. If an individual was sacrificed ■' for " tho general interest he thought it was. tho duty' of tho Government to ."give somo compensation. ■ Mr. ELL (Christchurch South) said it had .been found in Wellington, that the local body could not bo trusted.

''Tho Hon. A; NGATA, in tho course of his remarks, said that, every effort was boiDg .made to. wipe out Native, houses that were insanitary. -It had been found that diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, etc., spread very rapidly in . habitations of that, nature.

The second reading was. then agreed to without dissent. .

REFORM OF THE COUNCIL.

UR...G.' W. RUSSELL'S PROPOSALS. , In Committee on the Legislative Council Bill,,•!■:■• . Mr. . FORBES (Hurunui)' moved an im'endment to Clause 3 to the effect that after tho passing of the Bill the Council, shall' be composed of persons directly chosen by tho members of the House-..0f Representatives, instead ; of by the electors of. tho Dominion. Mr. ANDERSON, (Mataura) asked'.if. the, election were'to: be, on the principlo of 'proportional..-representation;-, otherwise only one .phase of thought would be represented in the Upper House. Mr. RUSSELL replied . that he intended, to stick to his proposal, pointing out that tho Upper 'Houses, in various countries were elected iu the way ho suggested, including - the Commonwealth of Australia, and it was proposed to apply it in the United States of South Africa.

Mr. 'MASSEY said he would prefer election by tho electors to' election by the House. He considered that after the wast 6 of time that had taken place that day. it was .useless to attempt, to deal with such a serious proposal'so late in the ovening. . ' . .

Jlr. WILFORD thought they should leave'the- words in arid mpvo''an amendment that. ho had put. forward in a Bill of Sir.. Wm, Steward's previously, to the effect that women should bo eligible for election to the Upper House. A .voice: "Are there not some there now?" (Laughter.)' , At this stage (midnight) Jlv. Massey called attention to the, futility of . attempting to. adequately deal with the meaanre, after the amount of time that had been wasted that day.

The Hon. J., CAEROLL' said that he. would in thp circumstances move to report progress. Mr. 'RUSSELL said that he would not oppose the motion as he was, .he declared, able to size up the feeling of the House that evening. . , . The House then, adjourned till this afternoon.

NEWS AND NOTES.

TAIHOA! Discussing a proposal that a member should be appointed Chairman of •Committees for yesterday, Jlr. iUasscy (Loader of the Opposition) said that ho would like to ask the Acting-Prime Minister (Hon. J'. Carroll) whether it was possible for the Ministry to make - up their minds this session with reference to filling the vacant position. If the Ministry were not equal to thd task ho had no doubt but that the Houso would carry out the olection itself. "If the Leader of the Opposition will hold,his patience for this week he will find 'Mint liie matter will be • attended to," was the reply of tho Hon. J.' Carroll. ,

Leave of absence from the Legislative Council for a week has been granted to the Hon. T. K. Ifacdonald on account of ill-health.

UGLY AND INSANITARY.

According to Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P. tor Chrislchurc.h North, it ■quadruple the number of houses condemned in the four centres hnd been condemned the figure would not have reached the number that should have been condemned, 'i'ltyv woro in all the four centres houses tliat had not the redeeming quality of uicturesqneness that marked some of ibe old houses in the Old Country. There' were hundreds of ' houses in our aities that were excessively ugly as well as insanitary. If we had not such piety for private property they would have been destroyed years ago.

CONCERNING FIRE BRIGADES. ■ The Minister for internal Affairs has informed Mr. T. E. Taylor that it has been impossible to undertake an amendment of the Fire Brigades Act this session to deal w;th the remits submitted by the Conference of Fire Boards last year, but- the amendments have been noted for consideration when an amendment of the Act is ■ proposed. WHAT MEMBERS WANT TO KNOW. The Minister for Public "Works is being asked to make inquiries regarding the following paragraph which appeared in the Taraimki "Herald," iof. July IS:— "There is .considerable dissatisfaction amongst the co-operative men on the railway-works through the small amount earned per man lust week; some gangs had as low as 2s. lOd. per day per man. This is really a starvation wage." ■• if the paragraph is a correct, version of the position, Mr. Hine wishes to know if the Minister-will take the necessary steps to bring about a better system for the cooperative administration of the railway works in the Taranaki district.

Mr. Okey intends asking the Prime -Minister whether, seeing that it is proposed in they' Mines report to submit

legislation affecting the petroleum industry of. the .Dominion, and as this is the lirst legislation proposed to be placed on the Statutes dealing with the development of mineral oils,, die will have copies of the ..legislation..' to. bo brought, down sub-., nutted to those immediately, connected with the oil-boring industry/ so that they may havo ample time, to consider the. measure' before bringing it into, law.' 'I'he Minister for Def enco is to be asked by Mr whether he has given further, consideration to the question of establishing a Chair of,. Military Science in connection ,'with' one or other of the university colleges. When replying to a> deputation .from Canterbury* ■• College, which waited oh the Minister ou this subject during the recess, he said that he could do nothing until Cabinet had had time to consider'the'matter. ■ JOTTINGS. .'.., Tho Attorney-General. gave notice in the. Legislative Council yesterday that he intends to ask leave to-day to introduce the Companies Amendment Bill. "There are murderers of 1G and 17 in the Dartmoor Prison, and ■ burglars galore," said the Hon.. R. A. Loughnan yesterday when discussing tho English prison system. "The hon. the poetic member of this l Assembly" was the Hon.. J. M'Gowan's means of indicating the Hon. It. A. Loughnan in the Council yesterday.

This Lands Committee,, to whom was referred the Native Townships Bill, have reported it without amendment, and it will now be referred to the Native Affairs 'Committee.;.. ~' ~.■',:■'

Mr. Laurenson stated, in tho-House last night that he was in hopes of seeing the capital .removed from Wellington.' air. Laurenson ' looks- forward to seeing this matter discussed 'later in the ses- ; ; ..'•..■

A tilt at the miscellaneous and unbeautiful style of architecture indulged in in New Zealand towns'was made last evening by Mr.. Laurenson, who ' remarked that New Zealand streets, instead of being .beautiful to look upon, were more often a horror.

:A "Spoonerism", from the member for. Waipawa: "When the Health Department decided . . . that cat. tattle should be inspected." ■■■''-.'■■■/