SESSIONAL NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5729, 26 October 1905, Page 7

SESSIONAL NOTES.

BILLS TO BE DROPPED. From an indication given by iho Premier yesterday of the remainder of the business to bo proceeded with during the next three days before the curtain is rung down on the session’s work, it is clear that amongst the Government bills to bo shelved this session are the following:—Second Ballot, Civil Service Superannuation, Excessive Bates of Interest Prevention, Private Hospitals, Fisheries Amendment, Animals Protection, Slaughtering and Inspection, Seeds Examination, Gaming and Lotteries Amendment, Sale of Food and Drugs, Referendum, Rating Amendment, Babbit Nuisance, Counties Amendment, Plumbers’ Registration, Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Election, Election of School Committees Amendment, Mental Hospitals, Apiaries, New Zealand Manufactured Goods Marking, and State Coal Mines Amendment. lIOROWHENUA BLOCK. A bill was yesterday introduced into the Legislative Council to give effect to the recommendations of a Royal Commission appointed to report on matters affecting the Horowhemia block, commonly known as McDonald's Homestead. Eight acres are vested in Mary Allan McDonald, widow of the late Hector McDonald, as an estate in foe-

simple. The Native. Land Court, is authorised to ascertain what native.are equitably entitled to land containing 132 acres in the block, and tho relative share or interest of cadi of them, and to make an order for the issue of certificates of title. CLASSIFICATION OF CIVIL SERVANTS. i'ho Civil Service Classification Bill provides that a Alinister m charge oi any department is to provide a scheme for tho clisssificiil ion of his department into two or more divisions, tho scheme fixing tho maximum and minimum pay for each subdivision, class, sub-class, and grade, and tho rate of increase. Tho scheme is to be laid before tho House within ten days of the commencement of next session, and if a resolution i« passed dissenting from tho ncheiye, it shall have no effect, otherwise it shall como into operation on Alarcii 31st next. All servants of the department are to bo classified, and their rate of pay and increase fixed, but no salaries shall be prejudicially affected. Tho right to an increase is to depend on tiie efficiency and conduct of a member, and any member may appeal against his classification to a Board consist! ig of two members of tho Civil Service appointed by the Governor and two elected from each department among their number. Tho Governor may annually recommend to tiie House a ratable reduction or increase according to c specified rate in tho pay of each member, and if such reduction or increase is adopted by tho House,, then tho respective rates of pay and increment thereof shall bo modified ing^'SHOPS AND OFFICES. Tho Legislative Council has decided to insist on its amendments to tho Simps and Offices Bill. The bill, which was amongst tho first to be introduced in tho session, is by no means “ lost,” but is passing “to and fro ” in both Houses, with a view to evolving something like order out of chaos.