EVENING SITTING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5730, 27 October 1905, Page 7

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30. MESSAGES FROM THE COUNCIL. A message was received from the Legislative Council insisting on «ts amendments in the Shops and Offices Bill. It was decided to ask for * conference. The Horowhenua Block Act Amendment Bill was received from the Council. The Speaker said the hill was an infringement of tho privileges of the House, as it contained an appropriation clause. On Hr Seddon’s motion, the hill was laid aside. The amendment made by the Council in the 'Workers’ Dwellings Bill, making the Crown liable for rates, was disapproved by the Premier, and agreement with the amendment was deferred pending further consideration. BILLS OF EXCHANGE.* Air Soddon moved the second reading af the Bills of Exchange Act Amendment Bill. This bill has already passed the Legislative Council. It provides that where a hanker carries on the business of hanking at more branches than one he 'shall he deemed to he an independent banker in respect of each of such branches, and a draft issued by one of such branches and payable at another shall be deemed to he a bill. Tho .protection afforded to a banker by .section 82 of tho act of 1883 is extended so as to apply where a cheque has m ordinary course of business been credited to the account of a customer before it has been collected, and whether or not the customer has, before the cheque has been collected, drawn ■ against the credit thereby established hr endorsed the cheque. Power is given to destroy all cheques and other documents after tho expiration of ten years. \ Air Taylor said there was no justification for the hill. Who had asked for it? Ho would strongly oppose clause 4 (providing for the destruction of cheques, etc v after ten years). Six Joseph. Ward explained that the bill was introduced at the instigation of tho Bankers’ Institute. Clause 4 Was with a view to doing away with the necessity of piling up tho lumber rooms •sf the banks. Air Soddon said this bill only brought our legislation in accord with that in force in England and Australia. : The second reading was carried by AS votes to 6. - RAILWAY DEVIATION. Sir Joseph Ward moved the second reading of tho Sentry Hill Railway Deviation Bill, to provide for the deviation of the line from Sentry Hill to Now Plymouh. Tho total expenditure involved is about £15,000. The hill was read a second time on . Ihe voices. TOWN DISTRICTS. Sir Joseph Ward moved the second .leading of the Town Districts Bill, - which, seeks to constitute town districts in certain counties, and these districts, . ore not to form part of tho county fori rating purposes. Afembcra urged on tho Minister tho desirability of deferring this measure until next session, with a view to embodying it in a general local govern-t-.ent bill. '

Sir Joseph Ward asked that the second reading of the bill be taken, and if in committee there were strong objections to its passage, the feeling of tho House could bo tested. Afr Alison moved tho adjournment ol tho debate.—Lost by 33 votes to 24. Tho bill was read a second time on tho voices. COM-MITTKE STAGES. The Horowlienna Lake Bill, placing tho lake at the disposal of the public for recreation purposes, whilst conserving to tho natives tho free and unrestricted use of the lake and of their fishing rights over it, passed its committee stage, with technical amendments. In committee on the Sentry Hilt Railway Deviation Bill, it was urged on the Government that tho expenditure of £15,000 on this deviation could well stand ever until tho settlers in the hack-blocks, who now had to ho satisfied with pack-horses, had been served. Tho bill passed through committee, with technical amendment. In committee on the Bills of Exchange Act Amendment Bill, clause 4 (providing for the destruction of cheques, hills, drafts, etc., afeor tho expiration of ten years from the date of tho delivery thereof) was struck out, on tho motion of tho Premier. The bill was reported with this deletion. HP UNI LEASES. Tiie Epnni Leases Surrender Bill was committed. On the motion of Air Seddon, dales'. 3 (power to erect workers’ dwellings and to lay oft roads) was extended to give the Alinister power to take any portion of any allotment not .surrendered, as may bo necessary, and in such case the lessee is to bo entitled to compensation for any improvements made on tho land so taken, and a proportionatfi abatement of rent is to bo allowed to tho lessee- Tho bill was reported with amendments. Tho House was sitting when the “Times” wont to press.