PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 60, 6 July 1896, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. [By Telegkapu.] I Front our Sjurial Cnrri'xjionilent.) "Wellixotox, this day. The Ministerial scheme for State fire insurance which the Premier has introduced creates, under part one, a separate fire insurance department. In order to provide capital for the business department, the Governor-in-Council is to be empowered to raise loans within the colony from time to time not exceeding in the aggregate £250,000. The surplus profits of the business are to be applied in two moities—first, to the creation of a reserve fund ; second, to the payment of bonuses to insurers. The second part of the Act, dealing with compulsory insurance of buildings and the equipment of fire brigades, is proposed to be permissive, and may be adopted by a poll of the ratepayers. In event, of a majority of the ratepayers voting for the adoption of the Act, a fire insurance roll is to be prepared in the borough or country, showing the value of every building, its owners, condition, and classification as to its risks forthwith. On the roll coming into force every building in the district shall be deemed to be insured up to its full insurable value in the Government office except such as already are insured elsewhere, but the latter must come into the Government office as soon as the existing premium expires. The half-yearly premiums are to be paid in advance and till fully paid are to be a first charge to the property. Although insurance is to be compulsory the manager of the Government office may decline to insure any building if he thinks fit. A fire fund is to be created, and one half of the necessary amount will be created from the council's funds and one half by all fire insurance companies carrying on business in the colony in proportion to the amount of premiums paid by each. Owing to the difficulty of adjusting a satisfactory hour for the rising of the House, the proposal for day sittings will probably be abandoned till towards the end of the sesson. The Makotine viaduct of the North Island Trunk Line will be probably constructed on the co-operative system.