COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XX, Issue 144, 18 June 1886, Page 4

COUNCIL.

Mr Scotland presented two petitions from the Borough of New Plymouth, praying that the New Plymouth Recreation Reserves Bill raay be ameuded. Mr Menzies presented a petition from the Presbyterians of Otago in favor of reading the Bible in school?. Major Baillie presented a report of the Joint Committee, relating to congratulating the Queen on the anniversary of her accession to the Throne. The motion was agreed to. The name of Mr Taiaroa was added to the Native Affairs Committee. Sir Frederick Whitaker believing it possible that the occasion for bis Bill relating to the prevention of the influx of French criminals, would be obviated by the action of the New Zealand Government, he accepted the suggestion of the Colonial Secretary, and moved the order for the second reading be discharged. Agreed to. The Council went into Committee on the Stock Driving Bill, and a discussion ensued Mr Robinson suggested +hat the Bill be referred to a Select Committee. Mr Buckley offered no objection, and progress was reported. The Codlin Moth Act Amendment Bill and Criminals Protection Act Amendment Bill were reported without amenlment. The former mentioned Bill was read a third time and passed. The Council then adjourned. The Joint Committee of both Houses recommended that the following address be adopted and signed by the respective Speakers and members of both Houses of Parliament : — To her most Gracious Sovereign— We, the members of both Houses of tha Legislature of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, humbly desire to be permitted to convey to your Majosty our warmest and most respectful congratulations on the occasion of the jubilee of your Majesty's distinguished and illustrious reifin. Wo do so under deep feeling of gratitude to Almighty God for having 60 long spared your Majesty to be the instrument of so much good to the vast Empire over which your Majesty has been ca'led upon to reign. We believe that in no part of the Empire is there a warmer feeling of loyalty than in this Colony, and we venture to hope that your Majesty may be graciously pleased to accept the assurance of the devoted and dutiful attachment of the people of New Zealand. HOUSE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to questions, it was stated that arrangements would be made for providing extra railway accommodation for passengers on the Napier -Woodville line. —That Dr Day, although he bad severed his connection with the Kumara Hospital, did attend a patient named Peter Smith at the Hospital. There was no rider attached to the verdict at the inquest on Smith. Mr Macandrew brought up a report of the Joint Committee containing an address to her Majesty on the occasion of the Queen's Jubilee. He pointed out that there was no part of her Majesty's dominion in which a stronger feeling of loyalty was displayed than in New Zealand. He referred in eloquent terms o the beneficent reign of the present Queen, and Eaid the world was now probably on the eve of great changes, but he hoped, whatever else would pas 3 away, that wherever the British flag was unfurled same sentiment of loyalty to her Majesty would continue. Sir Robert Stout seconded the adoption of the report, and in doing so said there was probably bo other Sovereign in whose reign so much real liberty had been enjoyed as in the reign of Queen Victoria. He also said that our present Queen had always maintained strict impartiality between the two political parties at Home, and pointed out that her high personal character had endeared her Majesty to all her subjects. In all her doings the Queen had shewn herself to be a true woman with proper kindly feelings and sympathies. Mr Macandrew then moved that the substance of the address (with the signatures of the members of both Houses) be cabled Home to her Majesty. — Agreed to. Sir Robert Stout introduced the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act Amendment Bill. The House went into Committee on the One Tree Hill Reserves Bill. Mr Peacock opposed the Bill, and moved that the Chairman leave the chair. Lost by 32 to 21. The House went into Committee on (he Bill. The Speaker, who was in charge of the Bill, made a lengthy explanation of its purport. I Mr Dargaville moved to report progress, and the debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 The Wellington and Otago Harbor Board Leasing Bills were read a third time and passed. The Premier asked that Mr Seddon's motion re the breach of privilege might be withdrawn. He believed the matter would be taken up in another place. — The motion was accordingly withdrawn. The Limitation of Votes Bill was passed. Mr Steward moved the second reading of the Licensing Committees Election Bill, the main features of which were that franchise should ba extended to include all adults resident in a district for six months, and that elections be held triennially instead of annually. Mr Fergus deprecated private members bringing in Bills on question* of so large moment, and objected to the extension of the franchise to women. He moved that it be read that day six months. Sir Robert Stsut believed in female franchise, but thought that the feeling was so strong that it would be a waste of time to go on with the Bill. The present Act was working very well. He complimented Mr Steward on the manner in which the Bill was drawn up, but counselled him to withdraw it. Mr Fulton also supported the Premier, and Major Atkinson also expressed himself in similar terms. Mr Steward said if it was understood that the Government would embody (he principle of woman franchise in a Bill next year he would be satisfied to merely carry the second reading now. Mr Seddon objected to petticoat Govermment, and the House divided. Ayes, 29 ; Noes, 35. The second reading was lost. Mr Pyke moved the second reading of tbe Land Act Remedies Bill, explaining that it was intended to remove some difficulties which had been apparent in working last year's Land Act, but there was no new ; principle in it. Mr Ballance said no case had been made out for a change, and their time should not be taken up in discussing proposals which had already been fully considered by the the House. The Bill asked them to reverse a decision already arrived at. He opposed it. Mr Brown also opposed the Bill, which was lost on a division by 16 to 45. On the proposal to go into Committee on the Employment of Femalee Bill there was a brisk discussion, Messrs Levestam and Sutter opposing, and Mr Bradshaw and the Premier upholding the desirability of the measure. Tha Bill was not committed without a division, the Ayes being 42 and the Noes 14. Mr O'Conor drew the attention of the House to the fact that two boys were employed in the House from 7 a.m to midnight. Great opposition was also shown to the the committal of tbe Small Birds Nuisance Amendment Bill, but it was carried by 48 to 14. In Committee on the Employment of Females Bill various amendments were pro* posed which elicited long discussion, but none were carried, and the Bill eventually passed without alteration. A new clau-e compelling employers of saleswomen in retail places of business to provide sufficient sitting accommodation for their use when not actively engaged on duty was added, and the Bill was reported with amendments The Wellington and Wanganui Education Districts: — Fish Auction, and Small Birds Nuisance Amendment Bills, were passed through Committee. A number of amendments were proposed in the latter, but successfully resisted. The House rose at 1-15 a.m.