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New Zealand Mail, Issue 751, 23 July 1886, Page 16

The Public Works debate which was continued all Wednesday and ultimately was further adjourned until next day, was chiefly noteworthy for a very able and telling speech by Mr Scobie Mackenzie, who compared and contrasted the speeches of the Premier and Colonial Treasurer during the recess with their present policy, in a . less complimentary manner than might have been expected from a Ministerial supporter.

The Magistrates Courts Bill introduced by Mr Tole,and circulated in the House, is saving as to jurisdiction, for the most part a consolidation of the existing law relating to Resident Magistrates’ Courts. Several rules of procedure from the Supreme Court code, which were thought might be adopted with advantage, have been incorporated therein. The jurisdiction is divided into ordinary, extended, and special. At the present time there being but a few Resident Magistrates who do not exercise the extended jurisdiction of LIOO permitted under the Act of 1867, and some of these being so debarred only by reason that they exercise jurisdiction in places where there happens to be a District Court, there appears no sufficient reason why the larger amount of jurisdiction should not be made universal. The ordinary jurisdiction, therefore, under this Bill is fixed at LICO in all cases formerly within the ordinary jurisdiction of Resident Magistrates. By consent of parties cases may be heard exceeding the ordinary jurisdiction, but not’ excseding the extended jurisdiction of a Magistrate’s Court. The jurisdiction of justices is conserved at L2O, with additional jurisdiction to a like amount in interpleader. The extended jurisdiction includes cases within the ordinary jurisdiction to an amount not exceeding L2OO, and recovery of compensation in cases of false imprisonment, illegal arrest, malicious prosecution, libel, slander, seduction, and breach of promise. By consent of *parjies cases may be heard exceeding the jurisdiction. Where a question of title arises incidentally in any case, the Court may nevertheless determine the case before it, but the judgment therein shall not be taken as deciding the title between the parties. The special jurisdiction which may be given specially and particularly or generally, embraces partnership accounts to L2OO, also recovery of undisputed bequests to a like amount, and the granting of injunctions in matters within its jurisdiction, and may include jurisdiction in bankruptcy or mining law, and the exorcise of the powers of a Judge of the Supreme Court for arrest of persons about to quit the Colony. Writ of arrest to hold to bail absconding debtors is granted to all Magistrates up to the amount of their jurisdiction, and two Justices acting together may exercise the jurisdiction where no Magistrate is residing, or in the absence of a Magistrate. The special jurisdiction as to Natives, in civil and criminal cases, is maintained untouched as it exists at the present.

Me Guinness is going to ask the Government to place a sum of money on the Supplementary Estimates for payment of the actual travelling expenses of grand jurors attending sittings of the Supreme Court.

Sir G. Grey has given notice to ask the Native Minister, if the Government will afford some aid to the Native inhabitants of Otaki, to provide for medical assistance at that place.

Sir G. Grey is not yet satisfied about the District Railway affair, and was to ask the Premier yesterday, “If he will take measures for having the inquiry into the purchase by the Government of the Waimate Railway debentures carried further, in the direction suggested by the hon. member for Egmont ?”

The frequent accidents from phosphorous matches still exercise the mind of Sir G. Grey, and he is going to ask the Government, * * If they will introduce a Bill requiring that the word 1 Poison ’ should be attached to each package or tin of poisonous matches which may be sold in the Colony V’

The attention of the Minister for Public Works was to be called yesterday by Mr Ormond to the fact that in calling for tenders for the Gorge contract on the Napier to Palmerston line the specifications are so indefinite and open to misconstruction as to be likely to interfere with advantageous tenders being received, and the Minister will be asked to take steps to have the specifications amended.

An excellent suggestion has been made by Mr Beetham, namely, that the Government should consider the advisableness of meeting to a certain extent the claims for assistance from the Natives of Tarawera and the Whakatane District, by purchasing the Lake District for the purpose ©f securing so interesting a locality as a national park.

Respecting the connection of New Plymouth with the North Island Trunk line,

notice has been given by Major Atkinson to ask the Government, Whether they will, during the recess, get such surveys made as will enable an opinion to be formed as to the relative merits of the routes to connect New Plymouth with* the Main Trunk Line by Stratford andt Mimi 1

A Bill is to be introduced by Mr J. G. Buckland to amend the Disqualification Act.

A formidable return is to be moved for by Mr O’Gonor, viz , a statement of the indebtedness of all local bodies, amount of interest, sinking fund, and the security in each easel