HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7318, 30 July 1885, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, July 29. The House met at 2.30. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

Replying to Mr Fulton, if the Postmastergeneral will establish a telephone-station at Ot-akia, in the County of Taieri, Sir JULIUS VOGEL said the work would be undertaken if a suitable person were found to look after the bureau.

Replying to Mr gutter—(l) If- the Kumara sludge-channel is a Government work,and,if so, how much it has cost, and what further sum it will take to complete; (2) if not a Government work, who is constructing it, and is the Government subsidising it, and if there is any risk of claims for compensation for damage to other sludge-channels in the district, ■

The Hon. W. J. M. LARNACH said it was not a Government work, but the Government were giving a. subsidy towards it of £2500. The promoters would indemnify any person in connection with the matter.

Replying to Mr Peacock, if the Colonial Treasurer is prepared to accede to the request of the tobacco manufacturers in the Colony (1) by extending the time during which the modified duty will have effect, and (2) by allowing a rebate on the imported tobacco, which, in the present state of industry, may be required for mixing with the native product,

Sir JULIUS VOGEL said the Government intended to extent the present concession in regard to the excise duty on tobacco for 10 years from December next. After that, provision would be made by which the import duty on manufactured tobaccos would be reduced Is 6d per lb; while! an excise duty of Is per lb would be imposed on manufactured tobacco.

Replying to Mr Barron, if the Minister for Public Works has made the further inquiries promised on the Ist July with the object of ascertaining whether -the-public railway siding asked for at Kensington, Cavershain, could be granted, and with what result ?

The Hon. E. RICHARDSON said that further inquiry shows that the only way to meet the wishes of the residents at Kensington would bo to extend a siding from the Duncdin station, and this would incur great expense, which would have to be met by those desiring the siding.

Replying to Mr Bjutoii, if the surveys of the railway at Kaikorai Valley have been completed, and whether the3 r show that effect raa3 r be given to the request by petitions and the deputations of manufacturers and others in the district for increased accommodation there,

The Hon.E.RICHARDSON said the surveys have been completed, and show that the accommodation asked for could not bfi granted without considerable expense, which, in view of the proposed alteration in the main line, it would be inadvisable to incur at present. EDUCATION. Mr PYKE introduced a bill to provide for the encouragement of schools other than State schools. THE EAST AND WEST COAST AND KELSON' RAILWAYS. Sir JULIUS VOQEL gave notice that on Tuesday he would move —" That a select committee be appointed to consider the question of the construction of the East and West Coast and Nelson railways, and to make a recommendation regarding the same, with power to call for persons and papers, three to form a quorum, and report within 10 days, such committee to consist of Major Atkinson, Messrs Cowan, Fritser, Garrick, Hursthouse, Macandrew, Menteith, Mitchelson, Major Steward, and the mover." SECOND BEADIKG. Sir JULIUS VOGEL moved the second reading of the Savings Bank Act Amendment Bill.—Agreed to. IN COMMITTEE.

The House went into Committee on the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill.

In the clause providing for the first election of trustees by contributors to such institutions,

Mr FULTON moved to strike out the words "and for the election of honorary medical officers."

The amendment elicited considerable discussion, and was carried on a division by 53 to IS.

Major ATKINSON suggested that the whole clause be struck out, and the new clause that the Government intended to bring ilowu could bo substituted for it.

Sir JULIUS VOGEL concurred in this proposal.

The clause was struck out on the voices.

Mr GUINNESS moved that the whole, instead of one-third, of the trustees should go out of office every year.

Sir JULIUS VOGEL considered that such a proposal would be most disastrous. He hoped the amendment would not bo pressed, as it would not work well.

Mr GUINNESS said (he proposal worked well on the West Coast. Every year the committee went out of office, and the plan was found an exceedingly good one. Tho amendment was lost on the voice.;.

Mr GUINNESS moved in clause 23 providing for procedure at elections, to insert the word

" eighteen" instead of " twenty-one" as being the age at which a contributor shall be entitled to vote. : ■ The amendment was carried by 38 to Xi. The House rose at !>.30 p.m. - Evening Sittik«. The House resumed at 7.30. Mi- J. B. WIIYTE moved in clause 8, provid-

ing for contributions to be estimated on the rate of population—" That contributions should be proportioned to the population of the district, instead of the value of the rateable pronei'tv hi the district." Major ATKINSON said he should like to see both ' the population and rateable property struck out, with the view of inserting that the contributions should be from the public-house licenses in the districts.

Sir JULIUS VOGEL said it was owing to a I generally-expressed wish on tho part of hon. members that the Government fixed contributions on the rateable property instead of the population. The Hon. W. ROLLESTON asked under what Act they were to take the rateable value of property. Sir JULIUS VOGEL said under the Rating Act in force within the district. Mr CONOLLY suggested that the committee should first decide whether " population" or " rateable property'" should remain in the clause.

After a lengthy discussion the amendment was put, and lost on the voices, the population basis being struck out. The Hon. 11. STOUT moved—"That the words be inserted ' rateable value of rateable property as denned under the Rating Act of 1852.::'

Tho amendment was carried on the voices. Major ATKINSON moved the addition of the words "and Crown and Native Lands Rating

Act 1882.'" Ho said he hoped the Government would accept the amendment, as it affected several places that he knew of. Sir JULIUS VOGBL said if this were earned the whole principle of the bill would be violated, and there would be no voluntary contributions under it. The Hon. \V. ROLLESTON asked whether the Treasurer had considered the exceptional position of the goldlields with relation to the rateable property. Sir .) ULI US VOGEL said he thought, there would be no objection to allow some of the goldfield districts to have the population valuation, and those who desired it the rating valuation. It. might be, left to the districts themselves to

decide The amendment was lost on a division by 43 to 27. ■ In clause 41, providing that local bodies may pay contributions out of ordinary fund, Sir JULIUS VOGEL moved to add the words "and on behalf of such rate (the special rate to be struck for contribution) may be deducted by the occupier from any rent payable by him to the owner of such land and premises occupied by and so." The amendment was agreed to. The Hon. R. STOUT moved a further addition that the clause should not refer to " The Crown and Native Lands Rating Act 1882." Major ATKINSON hoped the Government would not press this matter. : The amendment was carried by 34 to 33. Mr BARRON moved in clause 48, providing that the board may borrow money for certain purposes, to strike out the words " all interest in respect of any loan contracted for shall be a charge upon the subdivision of the district wherein'Jihe expenditure is made." —Agreed to. In clause 68 contracts above £20 to be by public tender. Mr HATCH moved to insert £10 instead of £20.—Agreed to. Mr FULTON moved to strike out clause 90 providing for actions by or against the board of trustees.: —Agreed to. The remaining clauses passed, without amendment. ■■..••• The Hon. R. STOUT moved to report progress. He explained that it was necessary for the Government to consider the clauses to be substituted for those struck out by the committee. —Agreed to. The House went into committee on the Companies Act and Foreign Companies Act Amendment Bill. Sir JULIUS VOGEL explained the alterations to this bill. The Government proposec to give power to companies to change from unlimited to limited liability companies, always provided that the capital was not less than £50,000. Limited liability foreign companies were to have a capital of £50,000. The bill was not to apply to mutual insurance companies; but if any mutual insurance company insured any person who was not a shareholder, that company would come under the act. Colonel TRIMBLE said the bill was a new bill, and he questioned whether the House could consider it in Committee, having carried the second reading of an altogether different bill. ■

Mr MONTGOMERY said there was certainly a great change'in the bill. Sir JULIUS VOGEL said if the House desired it he would not object to postpone the matter. . Colonel TRIMBLE moved to report progress, which was lost on a division by 25 to 15. Clause 10, providing that the act was not to apply to certain mutual insurance oompanias_ provoked stormy opposition. '■«■.,■= l-;-- x-'-J--i. l ' 5Mr BARRON also opposed the clause. It seemed to liim that any number of companies would evade it. Mr SUTTER strongly opposed the clause. Sir JULIUS VOGEL thought the committee "was hardly justified in refusing' the clause. It had been introduced in the bill in consequence of strong representations made to him on the subject. The clause was carried by 21 to 20. Mr TURNBULL moved to strike out the word " limited," and to insert " unlimited " in the 16th clause. Mr MONTGOMERY pointed out that only about half the House were present to discuss this important bill, He should move to recommit the bill, so as to test the question iv a larger House. The Hon. Mr ROLLESTON thought the clause was not at. all satisfactory, and required amendment, as it was too wide altogether Sir JULIUS VOGEL asked Mr Turnbull to move for a recommittal of the bill in a fuller House, which he would not object to. Mr TURNBULL agreed to this course. After some discussion, the motion for adding a clause to the bill was lost on a division by 24 against 1.9. . • A lengthy debate ensued on the .motion to report the bill to the House, several members protesting against it. On the bill being reported, Mr O'CALLAGHAN gave notice to propose a new clause to the bill. The House rose at 1.30 a.m.