Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 137, 3 October 1896, Page 3

Parliamentary Notes.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. )>Y TKl.kokaph.] f I ln,i) (>)!>• Sj'frii.'/ ( 'urn sjtrtwii lit. / Wellinctox, This day. The Council yesterday afternoon passed the second reading of the Mining Companies Act Amendment Hill and deferred the third reading of Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill till Speaker Millar ruled on Monday whether the Council was within its rights by inserting in the I Jill the clausedealing with the Sinking Funds. In Committee on the Land for Settlement Bill all the main provisions were eliminated. The sub-section allowing the Minister to sell coal, lime, or stone procured from land acquired under the principal Act was struck out by 19" to 11, and the sub section dealing with the acquirement cf land for workmen's homes was eliminated by IK to 9. After the Bill has passed its final stage and goes back to the House in its amended form a conference is certain to be asked. Speaking to a motion for a week's extension of time on behalf of the Banking Committee in which to bring up their report, Mr Geo. Hutchinson complained that certain questions attempted to be put by him having reference to a member of the Ministry and his connection with the institutions affected by the Banking Legislation had been disallowed by the Chairman of the Committee. The circumstances of refusal, which, he urged, amounted to a breach of privileges of a member of the House should have been reported to Mr Speaker to decide, but as no weight was likely to be attached by the country to any report that the Committee might bring up he had contented hiiiiself by mentioning the fact of the refusal without submitting any motion. The Premier said that the questions were outside the order of reference and had very properly been ruled out of order. Although a week's extension of time had been applied for he had ev.ry hope that the Committee would be in a position to present their report to the House on Wednesday. The amendment made by the Council in the Shops and Shop Assistants Act Amendment Bill and the Sea Fisheries Act Amendment Bill have been disagreed with by the House and full conferences are being invited. Most of yesterday afternoon's sitting was taken up with the third reading debate on the Horowhenua Block Bill. Speeches against the measure were made by Sir Robert Stout, Hon. Capt. Kussell, Mr Button and others. The burden of their complaint was that Parliament was to be allowed to destroy as title that which had been held for years under the Land Transfer Act. On going to a division the third reading was carried by 41 to 17, and the Bill passed its final stages. The Council resumed its evening sitting for the first time this session. The Shipping and Seamen's Bill was reported with amendments. The Horowhenua Block Bill was read a first time. A local Bill passed its final stages. The Mataura Reserve Vesting Bill was read a second time. The Hon Mr Rigg gave notice that he would move next sitting day that a Royal Commission be set up to report on the unseaworthiness or otherwise of all vessels engaged in the intercolonial or costal trade ; whether they are sufficiently manned; and as to accommodation for passengers. At 8.40 the Peers retired. In the House last evening the Inspection of Machinery Bill was reported with amendments. The Mining Bill had a narrow shave of being killed. On resuming after supper attention was called to the state of the House. The division bell

w.ii rung and the doors were locked. After counting the members prevent Mr Guinness said there was not a quorum, ar.d informed the (Speaker, who w;ts in the chamber. Sir Maurice O'iii.-rke took the chair, and counting the llou.se stud there was a quorum. The difference of (-pinion between the two counts arose from the fact that Mr Guinness h:ul not included himself, w':!.-!i just made the necessary t-wentv. On the doors being re-opened the Premier and a host of members who had been late in answering the tinkle bell trooped into trie chamber. The Public Works Statement was laid on the table at 2.550 this morning without the usual estimates, and it is said that these will not be circulated till Monday. Captain Russell left for Hastings this morning, but will only remain over Monday's racing. The session cannot be concluded next Saturday as promised by the Premier. The probabilities an; that it will be about the 15th inst. before the curtain is rung down.