POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13846, 4 September 1908, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

DAY ON LOCAL BILLS. 'A REJECTED MEASURE. [St TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Welltkoton, Thursday. The House had a day on load Bills to-day. One of the principal measures dealt with Mas the Auckland Harbour Board Loan Bill, which gave rise to some discussion in regard to the general quest ion of local borrowing. In the Legislative) Council the principal j feature of the afternoon's work was the ! rejection of the Bill providing for the adop- ! tion of the Parliamentary franchise in regard to the election of members of local bodies. This measure, which had passed the House, was thrown out by a large majority. AUCKLAND CEMETERIES BILL. The Auckland Cemeteries Bill passed all its stage* to-day. The only amendment was one made on the motion of the Hon. C Fowlds, extending; the privileges of the exemption clause to parents and children, as well as to husbands, wives, brothers, and sitters. COPPER PROSPECTOR'S PETITION. The Gold fields and Mines Committee reported to-day on the petition of Mr. R. B. Thomson, whose petition was recently presented '10 the House. The petitioner represented that he prospected (or copper, and found copper ore on section I, Block VI,, Kaeo survey district, and on applying at Whangaiei for a mineral license he found himself opposed by a Mr. Donald MoLeod. The application, however, was granted, and on appeal Mr. Justice Edwards decided in petitioner's favour. Notwithstanding this, however, he found himself forced to come to terms with Mel.eod, and arranged to pay him £100 and forego the Supreme Court, costs, amounting to over £100. Then., he states, the Minister would not sign the lease unless £100 was lodged with the Public Trustee, as a guarantee that £500 was expended on the property. The petitioner asked for an allowance of £100' in consideration of the amount paid to McLeod, and also the j £120. costs of the Supreme Court" proceedings. The committee reported that it had no recommendation to make in regard to the petition. MR. KAIHAU'S ABSENCE. Another protest against the continued absence from the House of Mr. Henare Kailuu was mude to-night by Mr. Ngata. He stated that the work which should be done by the member for the Western Maori District fell upon the other native members, find he, for one, was unable to sustain the additional burden. The Prime Minister stated that the Speaker had in his possession a medical certificate, stating that Mr. Kaihau was tumble to attend to hit! Parliamentary duties. THE MANUKAU HARBOUR. A return, moved for by-Mr. Lang, was presented to the House to-day, showing the revenue and expenditure on account of the Marine Department in connection .with the Maimkau Harbour during the financial year ended March last. The revenue was £265, derived from the following Port charges, £205; pilotage, '£15; boat'licenses, £3; launch, £5; ans llltll" yci'Cflfffi '-""' t#< tailed £765, comprising salaries; £494; harbourmaster's house rent, £18; stores and sundries,, £101; and maintenance of North Head leading lights, £152. This return does not include any information relative to the Onehunga, Wharf, which is under the control of the Railway Department.