LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 39, 14 August 1895, Page 4

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Yestskday's Afternoon Sitting. final STAars. The Family Homes Protection Bill (the Hon. W. Montgomery), tho Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill (the AttorneyGeneral), ana the Hawksbury Borough Connoil Reserve Vesting Bill (the Hon. J. MacGregor) were read a third time and passed. KBPBINT OV STATUTES BILL. In Committee, the Attorney-General moved to amend this Bill in the direction of showing in the report of the Revision Commissioners any proposed new matter in different type from that which showed the existing l»w. This was carried, and tha Bill reported as amended. WELLINGTON (CITT) SUBURBS WATBB BUPPLT. This Bill was read a Beoond time without discussion, on the motion of the Hon. C. J. Johnston. OTHER BICOND BIADINGS. The Pnnni Reserves Sale Bill (Hon. W. Jennings), Threshing-machine Owners' Lien Bill (the Hon. W. C. Walker), and Counties Aot Amendment Bill (the Hon. W. M'Cullongh) were read the second time. COAL-MINES ACT AMENDMINT. The Hon. W. M'Cullough moved the second reading of this Bill, which had come from the Lower House. Tho Hon. Dr. Pollen regarded the Bill as unnecessary and mischievous, and moved that it be read that day six months. The Hon. W. Jenningß supported the Bill, and stated his intention of proposing some amendments if the Bill went into Committee in the direction of further protecting the interests of coal miners. The Hon. W. Reynolds supported the Bill.. The Hon. J. Jenkinson would have been more pleased if the clause relating to accidents had been omitted from the present y Bill, in order that a Bill relating to accidents in all trades might be introduced. He hoped the Bill would pass the second reading. I'he Hon. Sir George Whitmore reparded the Bill as useless, and as introducing an element of discord into •coal-mines. The Hon. J. Kerr said the principal Act contained all that was required, and there was no need for this Bill at all. The only grievance miners had in his part of the colony was the want of work, owing to the diminished ont-pnt at the present time. The Hon. R. Pharazyn supported tho amendment. On division, the second reading was lost by 20 voteß to 9. ' The division list was as follows : — For the Bill, 9.— Kelly, Ring, Jennings, Jenkinann, W. C. Walker, Feldwick, M'Cullough, Montgomery, Buckley. Against the Bill, 20. — Reynolds, L. Walker, Richardson, Bonar, Scotland, Whitmore, Barnicoat, Swanson, Pharazyn, Kerr, Williams, Taiaroa. MacGregor, Bolt, Aeland, Johmton, Grace, M'Lean, Pollen, Shrimski. THE CABX OF LOUIS CHEMIS. The Hon. W. M'Cullongh, in moving the second reading of the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill (No. 2), said its objeot was to make retrospective a clause in the Criminal Code Aot giving an accused person a tight to apply to the Court of Appeal to grant a new trial, on the gronnd that the verdict was againßt the weight of evidence. The person referred to was Lonis Chemis, now in prison convioted of mnrdor. The Bill did not give Chemia a new trial It only allowed Chemis to apply for a new trial. Retrospective legislation was asked for in this Bill, and retrospective legislation had before been passed by the Council. Had the clause of the principal Act been in operation at the timo of the convict on of the prisoner ho would have been able to apply for a new trial. At this stage the debate was adjourned till the next day. The Council then adjourned, at 4.45 p m.