PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13304, 10 October 1906, Page 7

PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

GALLERY NOTES AND LOBBY | GOSSIP. . [UY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] j Wellington, Tuesday. j The Government Training-ship Bill passed its final stages to-day, and the Minister for Defence (the Hon. A. Pitt) informs me that he will now push ahead tho remaining work in connection with the equipment of the vessel as quickly as possible. The new name to be given the ship is the Amokura. This is the namo bestowed by the Maoris on the long-tailed feathers of the tropic ! bird known to the sailors as the "boatswain." The Amokura has yet to go on the slip, but she will probably be ready for service next month. In the meantime applications from boys eligible for training are being received in large numbers. JUBILEE INSTITUTE FOR ' THE BLIND: The Jubilee Institute for the Blind Bill, which now provides for tho Government having the power to. appoint four of the nine trustees, passed its'final stages in the" House to-day. '.'Mr. Fowlds, in moving the third reading, explained that in his previous remarks the meaning ho had intended to convey was that the Government found the major portion of the money contributed to tho institution from various sources. It Was true, of course.; that a. considerable sum was derived from; the sale of goods. , The total sum paid by the Government during the past six years was £9936, as against £6210 received in voluntary contributions, and £1529 in payment from parents of inmates' of the institution. The proceeds from the sale- of goods during the same period amounted to £5230. He had no desire to convey that there was anything seriously defective in the management of the. institution. He recognised the excellent work done by the trustees in the past, and the object of the Bill was to enable them to do still better work in the future. KARANGAHAKE SCHOOL. Mr. Poland has been informed by the Minister for Education that £500 has been' granted to provide increased accommoda.tion at the Karangahake school. LANDLESS NATIVES BILL. . In moving the committal of the South Island Landless Natives Bill in the Legislative Council to-day the Attorney-General stated that it was alleged that faith had not been kept with tho natives as to the promises of previous Governments, to make reserves for them.; It.seemed that reserves had been made from time to time, bub some landless natives had not- shared in the benefit. It was estimated that there were available 142,118 acres, in which 4864 natives were interested. This was a solid attempt to meet the needs of landless natives in the South, and deal with lands a'J over the South Island. The Bill proposed to give the natives certificates of title, with a. restriction to the effect that the laud is to be absolutely inalienable, ex. cept by way of exchange or lease not exceeding 21 years, among the persons interested, practically the members of the family. The Attorney-General moved an amendment to clause 10 (Powers of the Native Land Court as to subdivisions, etc.), to allow of appeal to the Native Appellate Court. This, he said, was a suggestion of the chief judge of the Native Land Court. Mr. W. C. Smith thought there should be no right of appeal. The natives liked to go from Court to Court. Mr. Mahuta endorsed Mr. Smith's remarks. The Attorney-General said he was quite prepared to take the opinion of the Council on the voices. The amendment was negatived, and progress was reported, the interpretation clause being postponed.