Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 146, 15 October 1896, Page 2

Parliamentary Notes.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL

[By Telegraph.]

( From our Special Convsjiundent.)

Wellington, This day. The Mining Act Amendment Bill was put through all its stages in the Council yesterday afternoon. Clause 8 of the measure was amended by the addition of a proviso that two months' notice should bo given to the owner or occupier of land proposed to be prospected. The second reading of the Government Valuation to Lands Bill and the Government Railway Department Classification Bill were agreed to. The latter measure was passed through Committee unamended. Mr J. E. Wilson, member for Otaki, who is temporarily retiring from the political arena, was presented by the members of the Opposition with a silver tea-kettle and a spirit-stand. At the evening sitting four Bills were read a second time—The Reserves and Crown Lands Disposal and Enabling Bill, the Fencing Act Amendment Bill, the Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteers Land Act Amendment Bill, and the Consolidated Stock Act Amendment Bill. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Mining Act Amendment Bill were disagreed with. The amendments made Governor's by message in the Native Reserves Act Amendment Bill, Public Revenues Act Amendment Bill, Tobacco Act Amendment Bill, and Inspection of Machinery Act Amendment Bill were agreed to. The Reserves and Crown Lands Disposal Bill, Fencing Act Amendment Bill, and Naval and Military Setters Bill were passed through their final stages. The House met at eleven this morning when the amendments made by the Council in the Horowhenua Block Bill were agreed to. On the Premier's motion the erection of a statue to the memory of the late John Ballance within the Parliament House grounds was agreed to. Mr Seddon said the statue was life size and life-like. The unveiling of the statue should be 01" a national character, and he suggested the opening day of next Parliament as a fitting occasion for the ceremony. The Leader of the Opposition said it was only fitting that those who had given years of their life in the public service should have some permanent reminder of the work done. He would be glad of the opportunity of assisting at ""the unveiling ceremony. The Electoral Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee. Mr Allen's amendment, providing electoral rights for women, was rejected by 88 to 18. The Bill then passed through its final stages. Mr McNab gave notice that he would to-morrow move that the House place on record their sense of the distinguished services rendered to the colony by Sir Robert Stout and Mr Seddon in connection with the NewZealand Midland Railway.