LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6371, 20 November 1907, Page 8

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, NOVEAIBER 19. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. LOCAL BILLS. A number of local Bills wore considered. Tho second reading of the Waipawa. County Act was opposed by the Hon. W. C. Smith, who referred to a petition from the ratepayers of the district representing that the now county was quite unnecessary, and likely to _ result in a large increase of administrative expenditure. The Hou. W. C. F. Carncross declared that there had been the most unfair whipping up of members against th© Bill, and. if it was only as a protest against this practice, he would support the measure.

The Hon. W. W. McCardle stated that ono of the best arguments in favour of the Bill wasytho support it received from tho two members of Parliament representing the whole district, including the area from which tho opposition came. The old county was too unwieldy, and it would make far better administration to carry out the change. The second reading was carried by 15 votes to 10, and tho Bill passed its committee stage.

The Waipawa Borough Bill was unfavourably reported upon by the Local Bills Committee. The chairman, the Hon. C. Louisson, stated that it wo® considered that the area proposed to be converted from a town district into a borough was unsuitable for a borough. The Hon. J. R. Sinclair suggested that if th© proposed district had a sufficient population it could be formed into a borough without a special Act. The Hon. W. AVs AlcCardle, who was in charge of the Bill, said the town district had a population of 1000. When the Bill reached committee, progress was reported upon it, so that further information could be obtained from the district.

, The Maniototo Hospital and Charitable Aid, Auckland Harbour- Board and Birkenhead Empowering, Dunedin District Drainage, Hutt Park, Greymouth Harbour Board Loan, Wairau Harbour Board, and Gisborne Harbour Board Enabling Bills were read a second time.and put through committee. Tho Alakara County Bill, constituting a new county of that name out of a portion of Hutt county, was also put through all its committee stages. It was amended in committee, upon the motion of the Hon. J, Anstey, who was in charge, by the creation of the Alakara and Porirua. ridings, which shall contribute their proportion of the general expenses of administration, but shall be otherwise entitled to, the full benefit of general rates raised in those areas. FIRST READINGS. The Public Service Superannuation Bill, Stock Act Amendment, and Packet License Bill wore received from tho House 'of Representatives, and read a first time. THE FACTORIES ACT. It was reported that the House of Representative© had disagreed with amendments made by the Council in tho Factories Act Amendment. —The Council decided to insist upon the amendments. At 5.5 p.m. the Council adjourned ‘ until 2.30 next day.