LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7398, 13 September 1902, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tren Aieoelatlon.l ■Wellington, September 12,

The Council met at 2.30. Leave of absence for the remainder of tho session was gra.itei to Hon. Montgomery on account of illness. The Mining Act Amendment Bill was re-committed, and clause 2, dealing with the Pampara lands, was further discussed.

On the motion of Hen. Rigg, a pro vision was inserted that the manner of fixing the terms on which a lease maybe purchased by the State must bo set firth in the lease.

It was also made clear, on the recoinmer-datiou of the Gold-elds and Mines Committee, that no area in respect of which any mining privilege already exists shall be included in the l.iase. The clause as amended was

passed. A motion by Hon. Reeves to Btrike out the provision that no miner shall be required to be underground for longer than eight hours continuously, was carried by 17 to 7. Tho clause as amended was carried, Hon. Pitt brought np several amendments devised with the object of giving tbo Supreme Court jurisdiction in mining cases where thu value of the property involved is over £500, and ot providing machinery for the nmoval of cases from the Warden's to the Supreme Cjurt. The Minister said the people concerned had no des're to bring in the Supreme Court, being quite satisfied with the tribunals now provided. He oppjsed the amendments, which were lost. The Bill was reported with amendments, and the Council rose at 4.30.