PARLIAMENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9512, 7 September 1891, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

[Per Press Association.! HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, Sept. 4.

EVENING SlTTlNG.— (Continued),

After the telegraph office closed, the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee.

Very strong objection was taken by several members to the provision in Clause 2, allowing the Minister for Lands to expend a sum not exceeding £50,000 in any one year towards opening up blocks of land for settlement, by the formation of roads and bridges to afford access to such blocks.

The Hon E. J. Ssddon assured the Committee that the money would be judiciously and impartially spent. Mr Fergus suggested an addition to the clause, that no money should be expended in the direction indicated until after its appropriation by the House; but Mr Seddon said ho could not accept it, and it was lost by 21 to 6. After a lengthy discussion the clause, with a verbal amendment, was addled to the Bill. The other clauses wore agreed to, and the Bill was reported. The Dentists Act Amendment Bill and the University of Otago Council Election Bill were read a third time and passed. The House rose at 3.55 a.m.