PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9093, 29 June 1888, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[BY TBLBGJIAPH.—MUSS3 ASSOCIATION;!

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. TntTHSDAY. The Speaker took his seat at -past two p.m.

I'OWERS OF TEACHERS.

In answer to Sir G. Whitmore, The Attorney-General said that a schoolmaster had no right to shut up a public school for the purpose of performing other duties.

ALLEGED DISQUALIFICATION. Mr. Wilson moved that » committee be appointed to report whether Sir F. Whitaker, Messrs. Pharazyn, Oliver, and Waterhouse were disqualified from sitting in the Council through absence. Upon the suggestion of the Speaker Mr. Wilson withdrew the motion in order to amend it to come within the Standing Orders.

PAYMENT OF WELLINGTON MEMBERS.

Mr. Mantell moved a series of resolutions in connection with certain expenses drawn from the Treasury by the Wellington members of the Council, and asking that the Government should legislate to avoid a recurrence of the transaction. The motion was carried on division by 20 to 6.

IMPREST SUFrLY BILL. This Bill was read a second time and passed.

GISBORNE HARBOUR LOAN.

On the motion of Sir Geo. Whitmore, it was agreed that a committee be appointed to make an inquiry into the amount expended in connection with the Gisborna harbour loan. The Council rose at 4.25 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Thursday.

The House met at half-past two p.m. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

Replying to questions, it was stated that it was not necessary to have prices printed on railway tickets, as they were posted up at all railway stations : that charters of clubs could not be cancelled unless a breach of the law was proved, but it was not proposed to renew charters to clubs which held their meetings in hotels; that the Government did not propose to raise any further taxation by a bachelor tax at present; that it was not proposed to introduce a Bill to regulate distillation of spirits within the colony; that the Government were not neglectful of the recent case of illegal sealing at the Auckland Islands, but it would not be wise to disclose the steps that were being taken; that steps would be taken, after receiving a reply from the Australian Governments, to place a lighthouse on one of the Auckland Islands, also to bring Macquarrie Islands under the jurisdiction of New Zealand ; that the expediency of spending a reasonable sum in opening up a coach road from Mossburn to Manapouri and Te Anau Lakes, with a view to make districts accessible and attractive to tourists and excursionists was receiving consideration ; that there was no truth in the rumour that Messrs. Trimble, Wright, and Nicholls were to be appointed Railway Commissioners ; that Resident Magistrates' Court bailiffs were not appointed by the Government, but by the Magistrates, and if any cases were brought before the Government where bailiffs interfered at elections, steps would be taken to prevent it ; that no exceptional steps were necessary in connection with the outbreak of scab in the north of the colony, as the scab was confined to a small area, but the Minister would be glad to receive suggestions from the Stock Committee ; that if the judgment given yesterdayat Christchurch by Justice Ward,that it must be shown that sheep are actually and not merely technically scabby were correct, it was clear an amendment of the Sheep Act was necessary. HARBOUR BILLS. The Nelson Foreshore Reserve Bill and the Auckland Harbour Improvement Bill were passed through committee without amendment.

The House rose at half-past five p.m. The House resumed at half-past seven. GAME LICENSES.

Mr. Levestam moved the second reading of the Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill, the object of which was to enable local bodies to fix the license fee for selling game at any sum not exceeding £5. Mr. Fulton said in committee he should try to add a clause to prevent native ducks being slaughtered out of existence. After a short discussion the motion was agreed to. LICENSING COMMITTEES. In committee on the Licensing Committees' Election Bill, Mr. Fulton moved a new clause, enabling adult women to vote. After considerable debate, in which a large number of speakers took part, the clause was adopted by 35 to 27. Mr. Fish moved to report progress. Lost by 45 to 20. Mr. Steward begged Mr. Fulton not to insist on adding his clause to the Bill, as it might imperil the whole measure. He agreed with the principle of the female vote, but thought this was not the right time to deal with the question. Mr. Seddon suggested that the franchise should be limited to married women only, and moved in that direction.

On resuming after the supper adjournment only ten members were present, and the chairman having left the chair, the Speaker declared the House adjourned for want of a quorum at seven minutes past eleven p.m.