HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 19 August 1910, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Replying to Mr Taylor (Christchurch) Mr Fowlds said he would take steps to see that the decision of the House last session to keep liquor out of drilling sheds was given effect to. The Petitions Committee reported that it had no recommendation to make regarding the petition of Frederick Tetley. Mr Duncan (Wairau) moved, "That tlie matter be referred back to the Committee for consideration." He outlined the facts of the case, which showed that Tetley was a working carpenter who had taken a contract from the Marlborough Education Board for the erection of a school at Lydia Bay. On the completion of the contract a sum of £62 10s in bank notes, had been sent by post to Tetley, but the same had been lost through the wreck of the Penguin. Tetley had brought an action against the Education Board, but had lost the case, though the judge was of opinion that the Bank of New Zealand was liable. The bank refused to make good the money lost, as the numbers of the notes had not been noted. > Mr Fowlds said the casewas a hard one, but the Government could noij accept any ' responsibility. Afker further discussion, the amendment was agreed to. The second reading of the Town Boards Amendment Mil was moved by Mr Buddo, who explained that fzhe Bill empowered town boards to raise rates for water supply, lighting, and sanitation, and the esatblishment of public libraries. Tlie second reading was carried. PUBLIC HEALTH. Mr Sidey moved the second reading of the Public Health Amendment Bill, which provides that, on the certificate of a district officer, the local authority may require ijie owner of any insanitary building tc pull it down. Mr Hanan considered the Bill gavetoo great a power to local bodies in deciding whether buildings were insauitary or not. Mr Taylor (Thames) said the ?and question had much to do with high rents and slums in large cities. It was time towns were planned so that no house should be allowed -on a section less than a quarter acre. Many districts had no regulations as to house building and town planning. Tlie Hon. Ngata said tlie main difference between amending and principal bills was that local authority was fallowed to use its discretion in requiring an owner to pull down a building and power was given to the district health officer. The second reading was carried on the voices. The House went into committee on the Legislative Council Reform Bill. On clause 3. which provides for the election of councillors, Mr Forbes said that the House of Representatives should elect members of the Council. After discussion, Hon. Carroll moved to report progress, Tlie House rose at 12.10.