HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6314, 14 September 1907, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13. The House met at 3.30. ROTORUA TOWN. The amendments made by the Legislative Council In the E-otorna Town BUI wore agreed to. FOREIGN TRIBUNALS. The Foreign Tribunals Evidence Bill, fo provide for the taking of evidence in relation to matters pending before foreign tribunals, passed its committee stage without amendment. CHATTELS TRANSFER. The Chattels Transfer Act Amendment Bill was committed. The object of this Bill is to prevent •he inconveniences resulting from the ./act that bills of sale may now be registered at any office of the Supreme Court within the 'provincial district in which the chattels are situated. There are already two offices in Auckland, three in Wellington, two in Westland, and two in Otago, and the tendency is towards a gradual increase in the number. As the law now stands it is necessary to search for bills of sale in every Supremo Court office in the provincial district. This Bill prohibits registration except in one place (the chief town) in each of these districts. Under the principal Act. however (section 4), Otago and Southland are treated as different provincial districts, and thii provision remains unaffected by the BiU. Objection was raised by the representatives of smaller districts to the centralisation that would take place under 'the provisions of this Bill. Mr Guinness ■said this objection could b© met by the passing of a clause that every bill of sale shall be registered in the Supremo Court office situated nearest to the place where the property mortgaged is situated. . . • . , On the motion of the Minister, Gisborne was added to the places where instruments may be registered (Auckland, New Plymouth, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim. Hokitika, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill). Mr Wood moved to add Palmerston North.—Carried by 29 votes to 28. A protracted debate ensued on the merits of smaller districts to be included where instruments may be registered. After Mr Wood's amendment had been carried, Mr Hanan suggested that progress should bo reported in order to enable the Minister to bring down a comprehensive amendment governing all these smaller districts. Mr Guinness suggested an amendment in the direction of giving the Governor in Council power to define the districts. { m Mr Hogan moved to add Wanganui.— Carried by 28 votes to 25. Mr Flatman moved to add Timaru, and the Hon. Mr Duncan advocated the claims of Oamaru. The Hon. Mr McGowan said members •were going in the direction of destroying the Bill, the intention of which was to simplify matters, both for professional men and for the public concerned. Tie did not think the committee was adopting a. wise course, in adding all these names. ■ Timaru and Omaru were added, whereupon the Minister reported progress on the Bill. METHYLATED SPIRIT. T3ie Methylated Spirit Bill introduced -by the Minister of Customs, prohibiting the doodorisation of methylated spirit and its use in perfumes, tincture©, or medicines, was considered in committee. In reply to several members who thought the penalty of .£IOO excessive.the Minister said the use of the spirit in preparations for food was very injurious. There was a serious lots of revenue under the present system. Mr Laurenson moved to reduce the penalty to J 250. but this was lost on the voices. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.