EVENING SITTING.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 216, 11 September 1908, Page 7

EVENING SITTING.

The Gommittee resumed at 7.30 p.m. The debate on noxious" weeds was continued at considerable length. Amendments were agreed to reducing the penalty to £10, and providing in case of conviction for annulling the sale and refund of the purchasemoney. ■'■-■■ j The Bill was reported with amendments. INSPECTION OF MACHINERY BILL. The Hon. Mr MILLAR moved the second reading of the Inspection of Machinery Amendment Act, which extends the definition of boilers and machinery for inspection purposes and requires that a certificated engineer be in charge of an engine or boiler. Various otner aniendments to the principal Act are included in the direction of bringing the law more into conformity with the exigencies of present conditions and the latest developments. ' .„ Mr MASSEY thought the Bill.a

good one, but said that under it windmills would have to be inspected, and that seemed unnecessary. He thought also that a harvesting machinery would have to be inspected. Mr Massey criticised some technical provisions of the Bill. He thought the schedule fees too heavy, and insisted upon the necessity for inspecting boilers and steam trolleys. Everything should be done necessary for the public safety, and nothing harassing to the owners of machinery. # In the course of the discussion which ensued it was stated that license fees would be harassing to industries using very small appliances under pressure. The necessity was emphasised for an examination test for drivers of motor-cars, and also a speed limit by statute. Mr J.. ALLEN did not see why marine conditions should be applied in the case of private-owned boilers, when less onerous conditions sufficed on the railways. The Hon. Mr MILLAR replied to criticisms. The second reading was carried, on the voices. DECLARATORY JUDGMENT BILL. The Hon. Mr McNAB moved the committal of the Declaratory Judgment Bill, to enable a person to obtain by anticipation the Court's interpretation of the statutes. This would enable a person proposing to j lend money to a company or local body to ascertain whether the loan was ultra vires or not. Several Members expressed the view that the Bill was an excellent mea- ' sure, but required some consideration } in Committee. i The Bill was committed. At Clause 11 a discussion took place as to whether the Arbitration Court | could be bound by a declaratory judg- , ment obtained precedent to a suit i from the Supreme Court. | Mr BARCLAY objected to this as bad policy. _ i Clause 12 was amended by the in- ' sertion of the words "subject to any decision of the Privy Council." A new clause was added in regard to costs.

The Bill, was reported, and the House rose at 11.57 p.m.