HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 4027, 1 September 1898, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, August 31. The House met at 2.80. There was along debate on the motion ' that report of Private Bills Committee ' with respect to McLean Light Locomotives Bill be agreed to, and it was further adjourned. Amendments by the Council in the Stratford Electric Lighting Bill were agreed to and the bill passed. Returns dealing with the following matters were ordered: — Claims under the Kapiti Island Public Reserve Aot, the number of people employed in the Government service for the year ending 1898, correspondence adverse to granting the New Zealand Crosß to Harry Wrigg, cost of naval and. military settlers land claims commission, the number of letters posted to places beyond Australia, and the number of distress warrants issued in each mining district for nonpayment of rents. The remainder of the afternoon sitting was devoted to formal business. probationers' act. The amendments made by the Council W6re agreed to. surveyors' institute. Mr Field moved the reading of the New Zealand Institute of Surveydrs* Bill, which provided for the recorporation of the Institute of Surveyors. The measure was intended, he said, to ensure greater proficiency than at present exists in that profession. Captain Russell contended that several clauses required fuller explana- v tion than that given by the introducer of tbe measure. Mr Seddon objeoted to the bill, on the grounds that it would create a close corporation. ' Mr John Hutchison pointed out Jibe necessity for the measure, in order that only reliable men should be recognised as surveyors. The second reading was agreed to. LIMITATION OF TESTATORS POWERS. Mr Guinness moved that the chairman leave the chair oh the Testators Family Provisions Out of Estate Bill. . The motion was negatived by 29 to 8. < An amendment, proposed by Mr MoNab, providing that tbe Court may refuse to make an order in favor of any person whose conduct or character disentitle him or her to benefit under the provisions of the measure, was discussed at considerable length. On the motion of Mr R. MoKenzie progress was reported by 24 to 20, and the House adjourned at 1 a.m.