SATURDAY, JULY 6.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2159, 11 July 1895, Page 21

SATURDAY, JULY 6.

The Municipal Fire Insurance Bill, which Mr tV. Hntchison hopes to pilot through the Honse, provides that the council of any borough by resolution may insure all buildings within the borough, with certain specially mentioned exceptions. Alter making a valuation of all buildings, the council slmll strike a rate of so much in the pound on the rateable value thus ascertained, and this zate shall fee an annually recurring on;, to be levied until a reserve fund has ac umnlated to ar.y amount to be fixed by resolution, bub nob to exceed £50,000. When the reserve has reached the amcunt fixed by tho council, the rate shall be reduced or temporarily discontinued as the council may see fit, provided that the discontinuance shall nob interfere with the power of the council to levy the rate afresh at occasion may requiie. On payment of the insurance rate on any building, ib shall be deemed insured by the borough on ) .-half of the owner, and the amount of iusura;:"! shall be threefold of the value of the bai •.'.iog tet down in the fire insurance rate boo* . Any council undertaking fire insurance sba,' maintain an efficient brigade, the ccst to be oefrayed out of the fire insurance account. Whenever, by reason of the frequency of fires, tht funds ■hall be insufficient to satisfy the claims, the council may levy an additional rate sufficient to liquidate all legitimate claims. The council •hall bare power to rpread this rate over any period nob exceeding three years. The council is *lso empowered to borrow money upon the security of the -extraordinary rate, provided that tLe money borrowed is applied strictly to the payment of the claims for which the rato has been levied. The municipal councils in the matter of fire iuf urauce shall possess all the powers conferred on insurance companies, and may sue and be sued in connectioa therewith. ARRIVAL OF HONE HEKE. On Friday evening, when the Naive To«vn ships Bill came up for its second reading, word wa« past-fed round that the Minister for Lands Wißhed to eliminate certain amendments mads by the Nntive -Affairs Committee and get the measure through the House before the arrival of Hone Hoke, who was expe<ted by the Kte train frona the north. Thereupon a stonewall was set up until the youog Maori chsmision should arrive, which happened imniedintely afcer the rising of the Hou^e for the supper adjournment. Mr Heke had a very warm welcome in the lobbies, this being his flat appearance thin session, and we were expect ant of a slushing speech from him so eoou as he got into his place. However, after supper the Committee was occupied un'il past midnight in a romewhat nndignified wra- gle as bo whether the Premier bad or h&d not directly turned certain votes on the previous division, making, in fact, tbe bill a party question. When this was out of the way and progress was alout to bo reported, Hone Heke rose in his place, and though members were tired and anxious to disperse, he quickly chimed attention, and made a short, fceropeiate, and earnest speech against tho bill. HASTY LEGISLATION. No less than four private bills were before the House on Friday, ali of importance, yet as to any one of them no member of the Government had- anything to say. Of course, they ■Were all moved by Government supi-orlers, and fared accordingly ; but naturally this leuient if not negligent attitude on the part of Ministers is compared unfavourably with the hostile attitude they at a rule think it necessary to assume towards the bilk of private members who happen to be on the Opposition side. THE REFUSED RETURNS. ' The failure of Ministers to put the abstract of the revenue' and expenditure of the colony for the financial year on the table of the House, and to gazette ib as rt quired by law, resulted in a debate which lasted the greater part of Fridiy afternoon. Captain Russell condemned the practice of breaking the law adopted by the Government iv the matter, and sought to know where the blame lay — with the Treasury, the Audit department, or the Government. The Premier admitted that the accounts had been prepared and audited in accordance with law, and the Audit department had certified to them. He bad seen this in a public print. Captain Russell asked if he did not know ib otlterwie e ? The Premier said that he didn't question the accuracy of the source in which he read ib. The accounts, however, bad been certified to, and, added the Premier, they had nob been laid on the table, and for thab responsibility mußb rest on bis own shoulders. Messrs Carncross, J. W. Kelly, and Hogg HgniQcautly -warned the Government that its own party was resenting the non-production of returns. PKISON-MADE GOODS. Mr Moirison says thab a rece;.t commission showed lhab £60,000 worth of prieon-made goods were imported into the United Kingdom, and £45,000 worth were manufactured in the United States, a goodly proportion of this finding its way to these colonies. The Premier was in sympathy with the desire to exclude such goods, but the difficulty was thab they must either proscribe them altogether or put an extra duty on bh«m. The Imperial Government was, however, moving in the matter, and he would ascertain what it proposed to do. • SHEEP-STEALING. Mr Wilson yesterday a<ked the Minister for Lands to bring in a bill to amend the Stock Act, to as to make sheep-driving at night illcfial. He had voted against the Minister's feiil containing this clause, bub bhe loss of 400 sheep, taken out of his paddock one night recently, had shown him the error of his ways. 3?he Minister, in replying, pointed out that he &s4 foaghfc for three hours to get this clause

into his Stock Bill, but had been defeated. He recognised that so long as these night prowlers were allowed to go about driving after dark sheep-stealing would continue, therefore he would be very phased to introduce a bill to give effect to Mr Wilson's request. THE ETERNAL LEASE. Und-:r Mr G. W. Ru^ell's Periodic Revaluation of Leases in Ptrpttuity Bill all holders of leases in perpetuity are to be entitled to have their lands revalued every 10 years. The machinery provides that from 12 to 15 months before the expiry of the 10 yearly period a valuation has to ba made by tbe land board of the district of all le*se3 in perpetuity and the improvements thereon. The tenant then has the right within three months to accept revaluation, and if he neither appeals nor accepts he is deemed to have accepted the valuation. If an Appeal is entered notice is sent by the land board to the stipendiary magistrate of the district, who holds an assessment court exactly on the lines provided for appeals ogainsb assessment under the Land Tax Act. Tae Government has intimated to Mr Russell that the consent of the Crown will nob be withheld, hut that ib is accorded without prejudice. JOTTINGS. The Premier : " The contribution to the auxiliary squadron is one of the best items of def fence expenditure." The petition for an amendment of the Shops and Shop Assistants Act to exempt shops dealing in agricultural machinery has been referred to Government for " favourable consideration." The Government do not intend to take any further steps for the compulsory acquisit'on of land till the result of the Aidgowaa case is known. Mr H. D. Nelson, of Nelson, Moafce, and Co., is petitioning that 2d a lb extra duty be imposed on tea imported in packages of 20lb to prevent fore'gn cheap labour competing with New Zealand tea merchants in the packing of teas in small parcel*. The Minister foe Lands says the Government recognises the n n c<3.'.sity for enabling farmers to obtain lime for agricultural purposes at cheaply as possible. With this in v ew, instructions h*ve been issued to the Crown Land Commissioners not to dispose of lime-bearing Crown land?, and a bill will be introduced this session giving the Government power to work lime quarries. The question of reducing the rate of interest charged by the Government Insurance depattment on lojids to policy-holders is under the consideration of the Government and the Insurance Bosrd. Clause 41 of the Advances to Settlers Act, which prevents atttlers who may bo in arrears in their rent from borrowing under the act, is considered by the couutry members as one of the drawbacks to the measure. In many cases settlers merely wautad to borrow the money to pay off arrears of rent. The Minister for Lands has promised to remedy thU drawback. • TUESDAY, JULY 9. The debate on the Judicial Practice and Procedure Bill was not concluded in the Legislative Council to-day. The Hon. W. D. Stewart and the Hon J. BfruGregor spoke during the hfteruco'i againtt the bill. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. The Hon. Mr STEVENS usked the Government if they will cause an inquiry to be made by an expert into the extensive dtstruction of gorse fences in North Canterbury, as ib is supposed to be the work of some iusecfc pesb. The Hon. Sir P. BUCKLEY said tho matter had already been brought und**r the a! torn ion of the Minister for Agriculture, who was inquiring into the subject. In the House of Representatives tie afternoon was taken up in a debifce on a motion to adjourn over Wednesday, replies to question?, and the airing of grievance*, chiefly with respeut to the spring- and btlhs Rt Rotorua. In thii evening the Native Townships Bill got through Commitcee, but the Family Homes Protection Bill did not fare so well, and the Minister in charge reported progress. 81-PLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Captain Russell, The Hob Mr »h DDON said the abstract of unauthorised expenditure would be laid on the table in a few days. The amount was very low this time. Replying to Mr Willis, Th« llou. Mr SKDDON said if medical men persisted ia making excessive charges for operations and medical attendance there was no doubt legislation would have to be introduced fixing the maximum charges in these directions. Replying to the Hon. Mr Steward, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said that, having cillf-d bis attention to the number of unemployed in Waimate, the Government would do their bt st to assist the unemployed, nob ouly in that district, hut in other districts. Iv rf-ply to Mr Hill-Jones, The Hou. Mr CADHAN said that in connection with the band contest at Timaru this year it was proposed to grant sbop-ovec excursion fares, which are. geaerally speakirg, I>S3 than single fares, for the bandsmen, and similar fares from Dunedin and Christchurch for the public, also excursion fares from Oamaru, A hburton, Fairlie, Wai mate, aud intermediate stations. Replying to Mr L^wry, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said ib was perfectly true that ene member of a deputation that recently waited on him had stated that if tbe Government would grant a Royal Commission to inquire iato the working of the Police department, a threatened prosecution against a certain police inspector would be withdrawn. Replying to Mr Stevens, Tho Hon. Mr SEDDON said he hoped in the Local Bodies Bill to be brought down to meet his viewH respecting the majority of votes to decide a loan poll, and also with respect to absentee ratepayers. Replying to Mr Mas^ey, The Hon. J. MKENZIE said he was informed by the Advances to Settlers Office that the acb did nob authorite solicitors to charge for searching of titles, and officers were nob aware this was being dove by same solicitors. Replying to Mr Willis. The Hon. Mr SEDDON said the Government intended in the Local Government Bill to deal with the question of destitute persons living in a district other than that from which relief is being granted to them. GRIEVANCES. Mr T. MACKENZIE (Clutha) moved the adjournment of the House to refer to the condition of the mineral waters of Rotorua. He declared that no thorough analysis of the waters in that place had ever been made, and he maintained that they should be regularly analysed. He spoke at length on the whole question, and criticised the management of the sanatorium ab Rotorua. Captain RUSSELL again condemned the action of the Government in refusing to- furnish returns referring to the receipts and expeuditure to the House as required by law. He hoped Government supporters would insist on this being done, as it was nob in any way a pasty question.

The Hon. Mr REEVES defended the management of the Rotorua sanatorium, and combated several statements made by Mr Mackenzie respecting the waters. The Government were not responsible for the baths district outside the fanxtorium itself. Dr NEWafIAN said the cojt.to patients of this hospital was excessive, and he had information to the effect that the Rotorua sanatorium was becoming exceedingly unpopular. He confirmed several statements made by Mr Mackenzie. The Hon. Mr SEDDON said that the Government were not unmindful of the neoessity of keeping those natural springs in order, and £20,000 could be spent oa Rotorua alone if funds were availab'e. They could also spend a large amount ab Hanmer Sprirgi and in other places in the colony where mineral springs existed, but they had no m'-ans of doing it. A? far as Ciptain Russell's remarks respecting furnishing returns were concerned, he (Mr Seddon) stated that the present Government had the best record in this respect of any previous Government. The debate was interruptad by the 530 adjournment. NATIVE TOWNSHIPS. The Native Towuships Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 6, Native allotments for the use of Native owners, was altered so as to provid-3 20 per cent, of the total area of a township for she use of Native owners icstead of 10 per cent. Clause 18, Na'iveowuar may sell his interest, elicited a lengthy discussion, but parsed with the amendments by the Native Aff tirs Committee. The remaining clauses passed. Mr HONE HEKE moved a new clause— " That the Governor should nob issue a pro* olamation under this act if the land proposed to be set spart is a Native township or in actual residential occupation by Natives." — Lost on the voices. FAMILY HOMKS. The Family Homes' Protection Bill was committed. Clause 3, providing who may settle land as a family home, Mr T. MACKENZIE (Olntha) moved that land with improvements should be of the value of £2000 imt»*d of £1000. The Hon. J. M'KENZIE accepted the amendment, and said £5000, proposed to be inserted by Sir R Stout;, was too large. Sir R STOUT moved that £4000 be inserted instead of £1000. A lengthy d-bate ensued. Mr W HUTCHISON regarded the principle of the bill as immoral, and he moved that the chairman leave the chair. — Lost by 50 to 7. Mr T. Mackenzie's amendment to substitute £2000 was lost by 3* to 24. Mr G J. SMITH moved to Bubsbitute £1500 for £1000 an a fr ir compromise. Sir R. STOUT was under the impression that the Miui^ter for Lan-ls wa* willing to accept Mr Msckonzi »'a nm-n-lmanb for £2000, and he was surprised at his voting agttinst that amendment. He submitted there waa no entail in this, and tbe only question was whether a man could have his home protected up to £1500. The Hon. J. M'KENZIE stated that what he had said was that if £1000 were strurk out he would agree to £2000 btMng inserted, bu 1 the Committee had decided by 34 to 24 that £1000 should be retained. Ho hopod, theie'oce. that Mr Smith's amendment would now be dealt with without further loss of time, as the whole question had been well threshed out. Mr Smith's amendment resulted in a tie — ayes 29, uoep 29. Mr Guiunesb voted with the "ayes," and the amendment of £1500 was carried. Mr MORRISON then moved that progress be reported. Lost by 50 to 5. Mr MORRIbON moved that the Chairman leave the chair. The Hon. J. M-KENZIE hoped that the motion would be withdrawn, as the principle of the bill had been odm tbcil. He promised to move a clause to the effect that in case of a family wishing to lsave the colony power could be given to leave their property in th« hand* of the Public Tru-.tee either to be sold or leased. The amendment was lost and clause 3 passed. Clause 19, the regulation of occupation of home. Mr FLATMAN moved an addition, that shonld a wife survive the husband and marry again, she shall forfeit all rights to the family home. The Hon. J. M'KENZIE could nob accept this addition as it might in many cases cause great hardship, and it might frequently happen that a wife had a great deal to do in making a home. Lost on the voices, and the clause passed without alteration. The remaining clauses also passed. The Hon J M'KENZIE moved a new clause giving power, in case of a settler or bi^ family desiring to leave the colony, to tbe Public Trustaa to sell or leise the land comprising the home. Several members objected to giving bo much power to the Public Trustee. The Hon Mr M'Kenzie eventually agreed to report progress on the bill in order that the new clause might be printed. — Agreed to. THE PROPOSED ESTATES COMPANY LOITERV. The Joint Standing Orders Committee recommend that the Standing* Orders be suspended so as to allow ot the introduction of the Ettates Company's Axsets Special Realisation Bill, which had been reported as technically contrary to the Standing Orders. The feeliug expressed in the lobbies is almost unanimous thst tbe bill will ba killed in its early stages. Many members who personally see bo very grave objection to the proposal feel tbat there is a very wide«pread feelmg in the country, against; it, especially among certain religious bodies, and these members will vote with the out-and-out opponents of the bill. Further important developments are anticipated by those who have closely wa'ched this matter should the measure be rejected. GAMING AND LOTTERIES. The Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill, introduced by Mr Lawry, legalises lotteries and sweepstakes under license from the Colonial Secretary, and subject to a license fee of £25, and provides that for guaranteeing that the lottery shall be honestly conducted every applicant for a license shall deposit with the Public Trus'e a bond to be approved in a sum equal to the total amount of such lottery. Each separate contribution or stake shall be sa, 10s, or 209. Under "Tbe Stamp Acb 1382," each 5s ticket will be<*r a Id stamp, eaoh 10s ticket a 2d stamp, and each 20a ticket a 4-1 stamp. No license shall be granted or iecutd unless the scheme of tbe lottery is approved of by the Colonial Secretary as fair and proper. All license and stamp fees received shall be applied to purposes of charity or utility. THE EARTH HUNGER. The Hon. Mr LaVnach had two questions on the paper to-day, both in the int-rests of those i who want to go upon the land : — Had the attention of the Minister for Lands been called '

to the earth hunger existing around Poolburn, Ida Valley, and the deeire of a large number of penons thereabouts bo take up and improve the land ? — Yep, the Minister was aware, but the difficulty was to obtain possession of a 6uitnble area of country in the neighbourhood for the purpose. However, the lea«e of a run thab would meeb the requirements would expire in 12 mouths' time, and bhen the necessary land would be made available for settlement and the earth hunger appeased. Then Mr Larnach put a very long question concerning the interest of James Hecsen, sen., of Brtld Hill Flat, who for two years has wanted to acquire and live with a large family upon 100 acres of land and cannot do so, it would appear, because of tho shadowing influence of the local runholder, who occupies 30,000 acres. The Hon. John was understood I to say thab it was the Obago Laud Board that did not see the way to put Hefnen on the land. Toe only thing that he (the Minister) could do to give the man a. chance would be to resume the run, and he would consider that course. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS. The report of the superintendent on the wotkiug of the Advances to Settlers Act up to May 31 justifies bhe delay which book pUce in the making of advances as b.-iog necessary bo ensure future efficiency and expedition. One cause of delay is to be removed by the com- j mi»sioner of Crown lands being authorised to ] approve of mortgages on Crown leaseholds as they come in, without having to wait for a land board meeting. Referring to th« complaints brought against the Lending Board, tho superintendent says that consideration must bo im avoidable so long as the condition to be considered is security consistent with the public . safety. At present there is no author! th intheaot to justify relief or assistance to th" s- ruggling settler who cannot preeeofenecuMty which would obviate the risk of loss. The silerirs ab the Wellington office on the 31st May aggregated £1417 per annum, and iv other parti of the i colony £472, including the salaries of the chief valuer*. The whole amount of the debit was £20 : .2 up to the date of return. There were 2016 applications for an aggregate of £843,188, and of these 796 for £423.051 were graDted, the Amount lest being £303,467 on oecurity valued ab £851 037, and 532 applications for advances amounting to £2034 were daclmed. The money aotually paid from fhe office for advances up bo May 31 was £87,735. Ol the application* 887 freeholds wete for amounts not exceeding £503, and 374 for over that sum. Six huudred aud eightytbive lea-eholds were for under £500, aud 43 for over £800 each. Of freeholds in combination with leaseholds there were 17 under £500, and 12 for over that amount. The total applications showed that £354,733 was for reloading mortgages, £205 358 for releasing mortgages and improvements, £7700 for releasing mortgages and stock, £7242 for releasing mortgages and for stock and improvements, £12,257 for the purchase of bhe lnnd, £29 161 for converting leaseholds inbo freeholds, £12,760 for this objreb combined with improvements and stock, £33 604 for paying the balance of purchsse 'money and for improvements, £130,483 for improvements alone, £41.995 for stock and improvements, and £12,895 for purposes not stated. JOTTINGS. Mr Meredith, directing attention to the fact thab in 1896 leasts will expire of nearly three millions of acres situated within tbe provincial districts of Nelson and Marlborough, asked that the claims of Kaikoura County tor & land endowment for education and hospital purposes might be favourably considered when the time came. The Minister for Lands promptly destroyed the hope. Ib was a mistake, in his oiiuion, to make land endowments for enoh purposes, as they were frequently a hindrance to settlement. The Premier says he is keeping in view the necessity to consolidate and codify all the public statute laws of the colony. The Statutes Revision Committee propose to amend the Criminal Code in the direction of raising the maximum penalty for placing an obstruction on a railway lino from two years bo four years. This sb-p appears to be the outcome of the recent case near Soacliff, when ib was stated in several quarters that a maximum penalty of two years was altogether inadequate for an offence endangering the lives of a large number of people. Professor Blank, Government annlyst, at Duundia, reports thab of 29 food samples analysed during the year, 13 were found to bu adulterated. They were : Of oatmeal 1, mustard 7, sugar 1, milk 4. El'Zib.-th Wlntt'jck, of Dunedin, pebibions for a comptT.sivnate allowance equal to the compensation h->r dt- ceased husband, lost on his way from the cu«toaihou»e to his home on tha Anderson's Bay road on June 12, 1891, would have lectived on his attaining the age of 60 years. During last year, according bo a return, 285,065 sheepsUus with wool and 2,396,487 without wool were exporbed. The Statutes Revision Committee recommend that the Adoption of Children Bill be allowed to proceed as printed. Dv ing the year ending 31sb March laat, 40 liceuses were issued to persons connected with religious bodies under the Gaming and Lotteries Act. Daring the last financial year 207 totalisator permits were issued for 268 da.ye, and the amount of revenue to the Treasury was £10,440.