PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 76, 24 July 1896, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. [By Telegraph.] (From, our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, this day. Local Bills were under consideration in the House yesterday afternoon when the following measures passed their final stages Gisborne Harbor Board Empowering Bill and the Lyttelton Harbor Board Enlargement Bill. The Goldfields Committee reported that the Coal Mines .Act Amendment Bill should not be allowed to proceed. Mr Guinness protested and wanted the report referred back to the Committee, but a motion in that direction was negatived by 36 to 21. The Criminal Code Amendment Bill, which Mr Mills had introduced to afford Louis Chemis the right to apply for a new trial was passed through its final stages. The Municipal Corporations Act 1886 Amendment Bill, which allows ratepayers in arrears with their rates to vote if they pay up on the day of the poll, passed its second reading. Some time was spent in Committee on Major Steward's Shearers' Accommodation Bill, providing for the improvement of the accommodation of shearers. The penalty under clause 7 for the neglect of a Magistrate's order to improve accommodation was reduced from £SO to £25, and the penalty for a continuance of this offence from £5 to £2 per day. The sleeping accommodation to be provided for each shearer was reduced from 300 ft. to 240 ft. The Bill was subsequently reported as amended and passed its final stages. Mr Kelly's Domestic Servants' Halfholiday Bill ran the gauntlet' of Committee with but few amendments. It was agreed that the half-holiday shall take place on any day agreed upon by the servant and employer, and that it terminate at 9.80. Permission was given for servants and their employers to arrange so that the former might have a fortnight off during the year and so forego the weekly half-holiday. Waitresses will not come under the Act. Mr Pirani's Truck Act Amendment Bill was killed by 27 to 10. Mr Collins' Divorce Act - Amendment Bill, to equalise the divorce law for both sexes and extend the facilities, passed its third reading. Mr O'Regan moved the second reading of his Referendum Bill, which was seconded by the Hon. Hall-Jones and passed its second reading without division.