SESSIONAL NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5668, 16 August 1905, Page 7

SESSIONAL NOTES.

SHOPS AND OFFICES. The House got into eoiiiinitleo last night on tho Shops and Offices I, L As it emerged from the _ Labour Dills f\ '| (Ul (U nu.-mlire U very difFcrC’t>numlN.*3, Uie moLsuic. io j ant lo that originally introduced bv the Premier to remedy tho detects of Ust .session a bill, which created such consternation throughout tho colony. Ihe Labour Bills Committee after taking voluminous eirclence, made various alterations in the Premier’s Bill, and when members began to dissect the actual provisions, they got very befogged as to Hie effect of tho Labour Bills Commibtoo’ti recommendations. Hiesc vbc Premier did not altogether like, and he asked tlio Mouse practically to stick to the lull as introduced by him. Briefly summarised, after its committal stride the position of the bill stands somewhat \jnis;—Clause 3 of the principal act is repealed ; tile hours of shop-assistants arc retained at fifty-two per week; a requisition from shopkeepers fixing the hours of closing is to bo settled by a three-fifths majority (instead of a bare majority as before) —that was the stag© at which the bill was left when at l.l’O *.m. members said they wore tired of it, ami went home, THE LATE HON TAIAHOA. Yesterday afternoon a motion of regret at the death of the late Hon Mr Taiaroa, M.L.0., and sympathy with j tho bereaved members of his family, I and an expression of the high services i ho hud rendered to the Legislature of tho colony was passed in the House of j Representatives. The House adjourned at 4.15 until 7.30 o’clock as a mark of esteem. A similar motion was moved .in tho Legislative Council by the Hon Colonel Pitt. Attorney-General. Tho Council adjourned until this afternoon. STATE FXRE INSURANCE. An interesting return was presented to Parliament yesterday showing the piemiums charged on certain risks before and after the opening of the State Fire Insurance Office. Wooden buildings with iron roofs in Country districts and fully detached:— Dwellings, £2OO, before £1 6s, after 17e Id; £3OO, £1 10s to £1 6s; £4OO, £3 12a to £1 14a 8d; £SOO, £3 5s to £2 as 'ld : £6OO, £3 18s to £2 12s. Wools) axis.—£3oo, before £1 18s, after £1 5s 4d; £3OO. £2 17s to £1 18s; £4OO, £3 16s to £2 10s 8d; £SOO, £4 15s to £3 3s 4d ; £OOO. £5 14s to £3 10s. Farm Stables. —£200. before £1 16s, after £1 4a; £3OO, £2 14s to £1 16s; £4OO, £3 12s to £2 8s; £SOO, £4 10s to £3; £6OO, £5 8s to £3 12s. Suburban dwellings (i.e., w'hero water supply and fire brigade available), wood, with iron roofs, and fully detached;—

DRINK CURE. Atr Field is asking the Minister of Public HoaJbli whether he will make inquiry as to the efficacy or otherwise of the Normyl drink cure; and, if the same is found to have attained the good results claimed for it, will ho without delay hare the treatment introduced into the colony, and furnished at the lowest possible coet to all those suffering from alcoholism, who desire to be treated ? SLY GROG'-SRLLTXG. Air atoLaahlan has given noti«) to Ask the Minister of Justice if his attention has been called to a statement made by a special commissioner of the '“Lyttelton Times” that sly grog-selling is prevalent in Ashburton, that he bought and paid for liquor at three different places, and that this offence is carried on with considerable openness and recklessness in various portions of the district; and what stops the -Minister Intends to take to cope with such lawlessness. JOTTINGS. After a fortnight’s adjournment the Legislative Council met yesterday, but adjourned almost immediately, as a mark of respect to the late Hon Air Taiaroa. The Hon Air Alahuta took his place in the Legislative Council yesterday for the first time this session. Atr Duthio yesterday gave notice to ask under what arramreinents is Government Life Insurance business now being undertaken in London? The member for Wellington points out that in tho issue of the "New Zealand Times” of tho 1-Uh instant its London correspondent mentions, "I’hu business transacted on behalf of the New Zealand, Government Lire Insurance Department shows an increase. I fie number of policies registered in London

during 190-1 was 530, as against 499 in the previous year,” Mr Heines is inoinring of tho Minister in Charge l oi tin l 'lourisc Departinent who is responsible tor the introduction of American racoon at Rotorua- whether the Minister is aware ol the destructive nature of these animals; and it lie will take steps to have t, in-in destroyed. . S r William Russell took his seat tor the lirst time lids ses-iem yesterday.

Before. Aftei £ £ s. d. £ s. d. 300 ... 110 14 0 300 ... 1 11 6 1 1 0 400 ... 3 2 0 1 8 0 500 3 12 6 1 15 0 600 ... 3 3 0 2 2 0