LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 53, 31 August 1894, Page 4

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

rKSTKBDAT'S AFTERNOON SITTING. COUNTT BOUNDARIES. Tho Maokonzie Connty Boundaries Altoration Bill (Mr. L. Walker) was read the first time. PROTECTION OF ANIMALS. Tho Animals Protection Act Amondmont Bill -wont through Committee with an unimportant amendment, and passed final stagos. SHIPPING AND SEAMEN'S BILL, Tho Hon. Mr. Montgomery moved tho ho jontl reading of this Bill, which originated in tho Honso. Tho Hon. Mr. Bonar know tbat tho Bill, i° passed, would ruin many owners of small coastal steamcrH. Ho movod the adjournment of tho dobato. The Hon. Dr. Pollen said tho Bill waß another of those objectionable Labour Bills whioh had of lato been brought before tho Legislature. It was directed against tho fleets of small steamers which ran in and on t of Auckland, and if it passed these little Btoamers together with their owners would bo orushod out of existence. He would not oppose the sooond reading, bat would move amendments in Committee Tho Hon. Mr. Pharazyn hopod tho debate -would not be adjournod. Time was on tho wing, and any proposed amendment should bo considprod by tho Labour Bills Committee. Tho motion for adjournment was withdrawn. Tho Hon. Mr. Stowart objootod to tho olauso repealing parts of tho oxiating Aot, and also considorod tho Bill did not Bufllciontly provido for apprentices. Tho Hon. Mr. M'Loan objootod to tho qualification olauso rotating to firemen. If passod, Uio Bill would shut out oolonial young nieu, tho son* of •mall farinors, from joiuiujr tho oolonthl atoftin morcantilo marino Borvioo, w\d ftlfto oruth uniaU steamboat owner* out of exUtonoo. Tho Bill sought to iuoroiuo Uio number of dromon and trimmers on stoamori, but tho Union Company did not dosiro any such oxtromo measure Ho boliovod Ministers orrod only through ignoranoo, but that they would not oppose amendmont in Committee. Alluding to tho restrictions proposed _ by tho Bill in tho matter of ovororowding, he assured the (Jonnoil that the most rigid instructions woro given to the officers of tho Union Company's boats that on no aooount Bhould their vessels bo overcrowded, nor should tho Bafety of tho pasaongors or orews bo imperilled through any want of oaution or oversight. Sir George Whitmore would have preferred to sco a Navigation Bill introduced— one whioh would have tho effeot of providing employ mont for tho young men of the country, who would form the nnoleus of a future colonial naval foroo. Tho Hon. Mr. Jenkinson roviowed the Bill at some length, and favoured its general provisions. Tho Hon Mr. Bowon said no bettor man than the Government Inspector of Stoamboats, at anyrate on the West Coast, oould be appointed. These inspectors exercised their functions in tho public interests without fear or favour. Tho second reading was agreed to, and tho Bill waa referred to tho Labour Bills Committee. LOCAL BILL. The Ooean Beuoh Public Domain Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee, and reported with trifling amendments. LEGITIMATION BILL. On the motion for the third reading of the Legitimation Bill, Sir George Whitmoro moved as an amendment the recommittal of tho Bill for the purpono of reconsidering clause 2. This was lout by 16 to 11, and the Bill passed final stages. THE DIVORCE BILL. This BUI wan further considered in committee. The Hon. Mr. Bolt moved to add a now snbseotion to clause 3, providing that inourablo insanity lasting for five years Bhould be a ground for divorce. The Hon. Mr. Stewart moved that progress be reported, as there was but little chance of too Bill passing the House, and it was idle to proceed further with it. Evening Sitting. Tho motion to report progress wag carried by 10 to 8. Progress was reported, with leave to ait again on Wednesday. IMPREST SUPPLY. An Imprest Snpply Bill was received from tho House, and passed all stages. Tho Council adjourned to the following day.