THURSDAY, JULY 14. THE ELECTORAL DILL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2004, 21 July 1892, Page 16

THURSDAY, JULY 14. THE ELECTORAL DILL.

After the telegraph office closed, Several members of the Opposition objected to the late hour at which the business was being carried on, and thought such late sittings were uncalled for at tho present stage of the session. The Electoral Bill was sonsidercd up to clause 21, but although there was a considerable amount of discussion no amendments of any consequence were made, and progress was then reported. BILLS PASSED. The Registration of Births and Deaths Amendment Bill and the Westland and Grey Education Boards Bill were read a third time and passed. THE LAND BILL. Some very important amendments are to be moved in tho Land Bill by Mr G. F. Richardson. He will propose to strike out the whole of the clauses to land fore-occupation, with the right of purchase — viz., clauses 145 to 159 inclusive (which are designed to replace the abolished deferred - payment system) — and to substitute an entirely new plan, which he terms " lease-purchase system." Its features are 5 per cent, rental^ 30 years' tenure, residence and improvements conditions, and right of purchase at any time after fulfilment of conditions ; also, with the additional right of paying off portions of the capital value at option from timo to time, the rental being then proportionally reduced. The effect of this amondment would be, Mr Richardson contends, to continue tho perj>etual lease system with the best points of the deferred payment system, but rendering the provisions optional instead of being compulsory. He believes it would be very popular among smaller country settlers. Another amendment he will move is with reference to clause 191, which prohibits the possession of more than one run. Mr Richardson proposes to substitute a provision that the total area of country held by one person shall not exceed an area of carrying capacity equal to that prescribed in clause 185 — viz., 20,000 sheep or 4000 cattle. At present a single run permitted to be held may be only an area capable of carrying a few hundred sheep, PETITIONS. The Public Petitions Committee report on the petition of Samuel Morrison, late gaol warder at Dunedin, that tho petitioner was properly dismissed from the service, and has no claim upon the colony. On the petition of Peter Paxton, of Dunedin, for compensation for loss of office as defence storekeeper, or for re-employment, the Public Petitions Committee report that petitioner has received full compensation, and has no further claim. The petitions of J. S. Reid (of Otago) and of others iv favour of Bible-reading in schools have been recommended by the Public Petitions Committee to tho Government for consideration. Mr Valentine presented a petition from Moses Emanuel and others, settlers and fruitgrowers at Coal Creek, desiring that an import duty of 3d per lb should be put on all green, sulphurised, and pulp fruit imported into the colony, which is the tariff charged on our fruits sent to other colonies. R. C. Shearman, late commissioner of police, has petitioned the House through Mr Guinness for a pension, on the ground of loug and satisfactory service, and on account of his having relinquished another service with a certain pension in prospect to take service under the New Zealand Government at the request of the Government. With reference to the petition of Donald M'Kinnon, of Otago, that licensed victuallers may be compensated for loss of license when such loss has not. been caused by misconduct on their part, the Petitions Committee decline to make any recommendation, on the ground that the question has been already dealt with by the House. A similar report is made upon petitions to the opposite effect. With reference to the petition of M. E. Walton and others, of Dunediu, setting forth that they had signed a petition to the House believing that it prayed for an extension of the franchise to women, whereas the petition was against the women's franchise, the Public Petitions Committee to-day reported that, so far as the committee had been able to compare the petitions, they found the allegations of tho petitioners to bo correct, inasmuch as similar signatures are found attached to both petitions. MISCELLANEOUS. Once more the Libel Bill has got safely through the Legislative Council. It went through the committee of the Council to-day without a .single alteration, so its fate is now in the hands of the House of Representatives. I understand that Mr o'Hara Smith has been transferred from the Audit department to the Land and Survey department as inspecting accountant. This is a new office, the duties of which Mr Smith is well qualified to discharge. -» Mr Seddon informed me he expects tho Oyster Bill to get through tho Council next week, when he will cau.se the proclamation against the export of oysters to be withdrawn. Mr Carncross is urging the Minister for Public Works to communicate with the Railway Commissioners for the purpose of ascertaining whether they will make Mosgiel the terminus of the Otago Central, instead of Wingatui, the terminus at present. In his annual report on lands and surveys (presented to-night) the Surveyor-general states that there has been a sensible decrease in cash purchases and deferred payment

selectors, while selectors on perpetual lease have increased considerably. This is not due to any forcing of the lastnamed system, for the most of the lands were thrown open on tho optional system. Much of the Crown land that remains unsold is suited only for holdings of considerable size. Want of land suitable for agriculture is very real and pressing. The largo size of the Midland railway reserves tends to decrease the number of selections A meeting of Auckland and Taranaki members was held to-day respecting tho North Island Trunk lino. Messrs Buckland, Shera, and A. Thompson wore deputed to confer with the Wellington members as to forming a committee in which Auckland, Taranaki, and Wellington should be equally represented, to decide whether a commission or committee bo set up to take evidence and report to the House on railway communication between Wellington and Auckland. Mr Richardson is of opinion that if tho Government accept his amendment the Land Bill will go through both Houses without difficulty or delay. _ The total amount of the 3£ per cent, conversion loan, 1881, actually sold to tho public up to date of latest advice was L 1.350,000. Tho total amount received up to date and placed to the credit of the conversion account in the books of the Treasury as proceeds of such sales was L 240.000, and the amouut of the balance m respect to such sales, to the credit of tho public account in London is L 54000.