POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 11664, 26 September 1901, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[FXOK OtTR PaRLIAMZJTTART RSPORTKfc.] WELLINGTON, September 26. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. The Invercargill Reserve Leasing Ml was read a third time. The Law Amendment Rill (Hon. W. IJolt) was considered in committee. There was some discussion upon clause 2, which provides that any acknowledgment in writing by a creditor or by any person authorised by him " in writing" in that behalf of "the receipt of a part of his debt in satisfaction of the whole debt shall be a discharge of the debt.—Colonel Pitt urged that the Bill ought to be taken charge of by the Government, and the Hon. Mr Louisson expressed doubts as to the propriety of laymen introducing alterations in the kiw.-—Combating these objections, tho Hon. Mr Bolt pointed out that the Bill had already been twice before the Statutes Revision" Committee, and thev saw no objection to inserting the words "in writing" in the clause.—The Hon. George Jones considered the clause simplicity itself. It meant simply that when a man owed £lO the creditor could agree to accept £8 in full satisfaction, and give a receipt. The clause would make that receipt binding as a settlement in full.—The»».clause was amended by the inclusion of the words " in writing," "and passed.—The Minister of Education urged the retention of clause 4 (relating to the revocation of acceptance of a proposal for a contract), which it was proposed should be struck out.—The Hon. Smith considered it a vicions clause, which ought not to pass.—On a division the clause was retained by 15 votes to 14. —■ Clause 7 (limiting the period of a right of action in respect to a civil wrong) was struck out ou the motion of the Hon. Lee Smith.—Clause 8, whicli fixes the maximum amount recoverable by a woman as damages for breach of promise of marriage at £550 (except, when seduction is alleged), created some discussion as to why there should be any limit, and by 18 to 7 it. was decided to strike out the clause.— Clause 9, having reference to the jurisdiction of a Court, or Judge as to payment of costs in administration suits, was also eliminated, the voting being 14 to 8. — C!olonel Pitt thought that subsection 2 of clause aa would give Magistrates' Courts and District Courts a jurisdiction in questions affecting land title. Such important question* ought to be left to the Supreme Court, and he moved the/excision of this portion of the clause. The general feeling of the Council, however, was averse to bringing into operation the expensive machinery of the Supreme Court for the adjudication of trivial questions, and Colonel Pitt's proposal was rejected on, the voices. The Bill was then reported with amendments, and the third reading set down for Wednesday next. At the evening sitting the Counties Act Amendment Bill, 1901 (to safeguard the rights of the Waimakariri Road Board), was read a. second time on tho motion of the Hon. C. C. Bowen. The Statutes Compilation Bill (Hon. 1). Pinkerton) was read a second time, as was the Miners' Rights Fee Reduction Bill (HonR. H. J. Reeves). Colonel Pitt moved tho second reading of the Shops and Shop Assistants Amendment Bill, explaining that it was inerelv to provide for the weekly balf-holi-day for chemists at their own desire, and permitting them to reopen in the evening after the half-holiday at certain prescribed hours. It is further provided that alchemist might, in case of emergency, supply any medicines or surgical appliances on the afternoon of the half-holiday.— In the course of a short discussion several speakers recognised the special circumstances of the chemist, and the necessity that medicine should be available at all 'hours.— The Bill (which was introduced in the Lower House by Mr Barclay) was read a second time. The Cigarette Smoking by Youths Prohibition Bill was then taken in committee. —On Mr Bolt's motion clause 2 (prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to youths under seventeen) was extended so as to inclnde the sale of tobacco in any form.—Clause 4 (providing that youths convicted a third time for offences under the Bill be whipped) was struck out.—The word " cigarette" was struck out of the Bill, which was reported with amendments. BREACH OF PROMISE. A few interesting opinions on the question of breach of promise of marriage actions were voiced by members of the Legislative Council yesterday during the discussion of the Law Amendment Bill. The clause under consideration set forth that in any action for breach of promise of marriage not more.than £550 should be recoverable as damages, except, whe«3 the plaintiff proved tn the satisfaction of the Court or jury that she had been seduced by the defendant.The Hon. C. C. Bowen said he wondered how- the specified sum had been arrived at, and what had induced the Statutes Revision Committee to add £SO to the £SOO originally in tho Bill.—-Colonel Pitt explained that the £SO had been added in order to enable the plaintiff to have a. trial by jury if sho so preferred it, as under tho law a breach of promise action for over £SOO must be tried by a jury, and under that amount by His Honor the judge alone. He (the speaker) thought that the matter of damages should be rather a question for the Court as proportionate to the position of the parties and merits or demerits of the case. It might be that a trifling lover was a. wealthy man, and £550 would be nothing to him for jilting a lady.—The Hon. C. Louisson objected to the clause. He could not see how the amount was arrived at. .There was no justice in it. The amount should depend on the position of the parties. There might lie individuals who might think it very cheap amusement to be allowed to trifle with a girl's affections for £550. A man might become engaged to a girl for a year or two without any serious intention, knowing that he could get out of the bargain at any time by paying £sso.—The Minister of Education said that the action for breach of promise of marriage was the most unworthy that ever soiled a court of law. In nine cases out of ten the woman was not worthy of consideration who appealed to the Court. His opinion was that the woman who could parade her feelings in open court, and assess them at so much in pounds, shillings, and pence, and have them assessed by the Court at tho figure she demanded, or less, was not A woman at all.—(Cries of " Oh,*' and laughter.) He therefore, as the clause stood, agreed with it. There were cases, of conrse, where the plaintiff had been seduced by the defendant under promise of marriage. The woman who was so case hardened as to put up with an assessment of her feelings in damages in money by the Court was unworthy of consideration.—The clause was struck out by 18 votes to 7. THE HOUSE IN DARKNESS. An almost unique incident occurred in the House shortly before the supper adjournment last night. Mr Fowlds was strongly inveighing against the action of certain members in attacking Mr Stead for his pro-Boer writings, when slowly the electric lights got, lower and lower, and finally went out altogether, leaving the House and precincts in absolute darkness. It was useless adjourning, as every ' part of the House was as dark as the Chamber itself, and so the debate proceeded. Members of course waxed humorous over tho failure of the electric light, to stand what the member for Auckland was saying, and matches were lit in all directions, whilo the ActingChairman of Committees lost no time in having a couple of candles brought in to enable him to guide the House through the thorny path of the Estimates. In about three minutes, however, the light again mado its appearance, candles were ignominionaly ejected, and the House resumed its normal state. THE LIBERAL ORGANISER ACTIVE. Much comment has been caused by the fohowing circular, issued by Mr Arthur iidwards, Liberal organiser, to the electors of Patea:— In view of the possibility of another election, it is necessu v that we iihould at once put forth all the energy at our command to sec that even- elector entitled to a vote in the Patea'electorate is on the roll. In the event of the late election hemg declared null and void, tho writ will be issued immediately. im d as the roll will then be closed it is imperative that no time be lost, and that. w„ should be alert to get on tho Toll all whose names have been

struck off for not voting at tho last election, of whose names have never been on the roll before. When we remember that the last 'election was decided by tho narrowest majority— «i single unit—tho value of each individual vote is apparent, and wo. cannot impress too strongly upon every elector the absolute necessity for his or her own particular vote. AVill you do your share in the coming struggle by seeing that your own name and the names of your friends and neighbors arc on tho roll?" A copy of the roll and forms for enrolling electors can be obtained at any post office. When the form is signed by the elector, and witnessed by another elector whose name is already on the roll, it should be posted to the Registrar of Electors, Patea. No stamp is needed."