LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3311, 18 December 1897, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Friday, December 17, The Council met at 2.30. BILL PASSED;- - The Hawora Gasworks and Electric Lighting Bill passed its third reading. PETITION. ,/<• On the motion of the MINISTER of EDUCATION the petition ofi.S. Southerby, of Auckland, was referred back to the Public Petitions Committee for farther report. LANDS FOB SETTLEMENTS. The Land for Settlement : Act Amendment Bill was considered in committee. . The Hon Mr SHRIMSKI moved to strike out clause 3,'giving extended power to borrow JB500,000; negatived by . 25 to 6, .and the clause retained, o r The Hon Mr iORMOND moved an amendmend to danse 5 extending the areas to be taken for close settlement to 250 acres. This was carried .by 1C to 15, but the mover subsequently? accepted' a farther: amendment moved by Mr Smith that the area should be 200. ■ ■ ■■■-.' ■ . The Hon Mr ORMDND proposed that clause 7, providing for the development of the land and lime deposits on the Makareao estate, be struck out; carried by 16 to 16 on the Chairman's casting vote; ' A motion tore-commit the Bill was but a farther effort to have clause 7 expunged was negatived by the same majority as before, and the third reading carried. EVENING SITTING. The Council.resumed at 7.30 p.m. WELLINGTON CITY EMPOWERING BILL. ', - Tbo fenond reading of the Bill was moved: by the Hon J. ItIGG. Tbe Hon R. OLIVER, chairman of the Local Bills- Cdmmittgo, explained that the committee had, after devoting considerable attention to. the .measure, decided; to strike out the whole of. Part Vil,, which provided for pow6r to acquire Miramar for a special

part, and had alno decided to make an alteration in tbo necessary majority on polls. The Hon Mr JSllKlilSil, who nnderstoo 1 the rates in Wellington amounted to 3a 6din the pound, thought the mover bad been unwise in taking charge of the measure, which would impose heavy additional taxation on the working classes. H© had no objection to the Corporation carrying out necessary public works, hut was strongly of opinion that they should be careful not to crush the masses of the people. The scheme was a hobby of the last Mayor’s, who, like a gn-at many more, wished to leave & name behind for works carried out during his year of office. The Bill if passed would, in the bon gentleman’s opinion, inflict a serious injury on the people of the city. The Hon 0. J. JOHNSTON combated the statements made by the previous speaker as to the imposition of additional taxation. The only portions that could possibly do that wore parts 1 and 2, and even then it would be hardly appreciable. The Bon G. McLEAN considered that by the amendments made the Local Bills Committee had got rid of many objectionable features. The Hon W. T. Jennings supported the second reading, and the Hon J. E Jenkxnson, while not opposing, adversely criticised tbo works mentioned in the second schedule. Many of them were impracticable, and several unnecessary. The Hon J. RIGG having tbo second reading was agreed to on the voices, and the committal of the Bill mode an order of the day for next sitting, SECOND BEADING. The Native Land Act Amendment Bill was read a second time pro fo»ma t and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. LOCAL BILL. The Westport-Ngakawaa Railway Extension Act was considered in committee.^ An amendment was made to subsection 1 of clause 2, limiting the time for payment of deficiences owing by holders of the coalmining leases to-two years. A long discussion ensued on clause 3, progress being eventually reported, and leave given to' ait again. YOUNG PERSONS* PROTECTION BILL. The MINISTER >f EDUCATION,., in moving the aeopnd reading of this Bill, emphasised the necessity for its careful ‘consideration, He was persuaded that a great deal too much license was allowed .to our young people in the matter of going out at nights, apparently without being responsible. The weak spot in the meaburo was that it was permissive, j but Jjthis was'probably a necessity. Though aware that legislation would not bo entire’y efficacious without the cooperation of the people, he urged tke passage of the measure. The Hon T. KENNY opposed the second reading. He thought the churches should be more active in their efforts towards pro-, moling what the Bill aimed at. The Hon G. McLhJAN denied the necessity, of such legislation;. the colony was. on© of the purest in the British dominions. . He moved the adjournment of the debate. The Hon W.DO WNIE STB WAttT thought the Bill, if passed, would have the effect of making parents more vigilant in the super-; vision of their children. • . The Hon Dr GR AO K was of opinion, that the only sensible suggestion contained in the report furnished to hon members was that which would prevent the press publishing re- : ports of Court trials in certain oases. < He opposed the Bill, which he thought entirely unnecessary. The Hon J. RTGQ saw no reason why the Bill should not pass, though the ages fixed were in hia opinion too high. The question for the adjournment of the debate was then put an i carried, the further consideration of the Bill being fixed for a fortnight hence. The division-list was as follows : Ayes, 16. — Walker, Richardson, Baillie, Barnicoat, Shrimski, T. Kelly, Feld wick, Pinkerton, Jennings, Stevens, Bonar, Oliver, Ormond, Johnston, Grace, McLean. - Notes, 13. —Stewart, Swanson, WV Kelly,' Arkwright, Rigg, Jenkinson/Taiaroa, Reeves, Bolt, William , W.C. Walker, Montgomery,' Peacock. BILLS PASSED. The Land and Income Assessment Acts Amendment Bill and Harbours Act Amendment Bill passed their final stages. VICTORIA COLLEGE BILL. < The Victoria College Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 3d was debated at considerable length, it being altered in the direction of throwing the Queen’s scholarships open to scholars under 14 years of ago in any part of the colony, not more than two scholarships to be awarded in anyone year in any school. The remaining clauses wore passed unaltered, and the BUI reported with,amendments, the third reading being made an order of the day for next afternoon. The Council adjourned at 10.30. P