PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.
COAL MINES BILL. Several important amending provisions are mado in tho Coal Mines Bill. The grant of leases will now vest in the Minister for Mines, in lieu of the Land Boards as hitherto. In mining' districts tho Warden must first recommend granting, and in other dihtricts the Commissioners of Waste Lands. Amalgamations or transfers tiro not to be complete till ten days after the end of tho next following session, and must be kid on the table of the House. It is mado compulsory to supply coal on reasonable torms to the Government railways, or those run by companies, and to Bhips, British and foreign, but not, of courso, in contravontion of international law. The certificates of managers are to be of two kinds, viz., " ordinary," by examination, and " service," for ton years' experience underground. Eight hours are to be a legal day's work, und forty-eight ono week's. The provisions recommended by the Miners' Conference at Westport two years ago are includod in the Bill. The Crown takes power to rpsumo mines and work them. Compensation in Buck cases is to bo awarded under the Pnblic Works 'Act, 1882, a coal mine being looked upon as a public work. For the purpose of forming a relief fund in nid of the families of coal miners killed or injnred, every lessee or owner ib to pay one halfpenny for each ton of coal raised into a fund, which will be controlled by the Minister and tho Public Trustee. RAILWAY SERVANTS' GRIEVANCES. Dr. Newman and Mr. J. Kelly (Invercarflill) waited upon the Chief Commissioner for Railways on Saturday, and asked that additional holidays be granted to railway surface men, who now get only three holidays in the year. Mr. M'Korrow promised to look into tho matter and see what could be done. The deputation rcquosted that the lar^e fund accumulated by means of the fines inflicted upon employes should be applied to tho relief of men injured while engaged in the discharge of their duties. As matters now stand an employe 1 who meets with an accident is put npon half-pay for three months, and thereafter upon ono-quarter pay. The deputation suggested that full pay should be allowed during the period of disablement, and that tho additional amount reqnired should bo made up out of the fund iv question, which it hod always been understood was to be reserved for the men's benefit in one form or another. Mr. M'Kerrow said that the fund was under the control of the Public Trust Department, so that the Commissioners had no power to accede to the application. It is understood that either Dr. Newman or Mr. Kelly will question the Minister for Public Works in tho House to ascertain whether something cannot be done in tho matter. PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARIANBHIP. Stepß are likely to be taken this session to fill the position of Parliamentary Librarian, -which has practically been vacant ever einoo Mr. Collier's resignation. A meeting of the Joint Library Committee was hold this morning, bat no conclusion was come to, and the question was adjourned for three weeks. JOTTINGS. In pursuance of his statutory powers the Auditor and Controller-General is, it is understood, about to institute a searching enquiry into tho management and investments of the Government Insurance Department, so as to obtain assurance that tho state of things disclosed by tho Public Trust Commission has no counterpart in the Insurance Department. Sir George Grey warmly supports tho proposed redaction of postage, which he says lie has for years advocated. Mr. Vincent Pyke writes to tho Dunedin Star stating that the telegram recently addreflsod by him to the Government in reference to the financial proposals contained no referenco to the Dnnedin Chamber of Commorco. As published hero it appeared that Mr. Pyko was acting as the mouthpiece of that body. He says he is not even a member of it. In addition to tho alteration already noted by us in the matter of accommodation of strangers visiting the House of Representatives, it is intended to provide for those who desire to watch the proceedings by enlarging the Legislative Councillors* Gallory by taking in a portion of the upper press room. Entrance to this part of the House will be through the small door at the cornor, to the immediate left of tho main entrance. The tickets issued by the Speaker will bo labelled *' Speaker's Gallery " and "Members' Gallery," the former admitting to the newlyarranged Councillors' Gallery, and the latter to the small compartment adjoining the Press, hitherto kuown as the Speaker's Gallery. The alteration will probably be completed by Wednesday next.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 151, 29 June 1891, Page 3
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771PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 151, 29 June 1891, Page 3
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