JOTTINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2325, 22 September 1898, Page 25

JOTTINGS.

The Joint Stock and Agricultural Committee have recommended certain alterations in the Orchards and Garden Pests Bill. The effect of those will be to curtail the power of inspectors and to reduce the maximum penalty from £50 to £20. The committee has struck out the clause which specially exempted Auckland from the operation of the act. It is generally supposed that the Minister for Lands will not accept the amendments. In any case, the bill will be strongly opposed in the House. Main*. Steward asked the Minister for Lands

to-day whether provision will be made in the Public Works Estimates for the erection of a bridge over the Maerewlienua, near Hutton's, connecting with the ruad to Naseby, and removing the danger attaching to the present plank crossing. The Minister, in reply, stated that it was likely that arrangements would be made with the local body which would result in the bridge being erected. In reference to the petition of Charles Koch and 44- others, of Greenstone, Wakatipu, praying that the old laws with regard to cutting timber in New Zealand forests should be reverted to, the Waste Lands Committee report that they are of opinion that the existing regulations should be revised so as to give the Land Board discretionary power to fix the license fee for cutting timber, or to vary the fpes according to the accessibility or value of the timber. The Public Petitions Committee recommend that the petition of W. Carlton and 117 others, of Ratanui, Clutha, praying that a sum of money should be granted to metal the OwakaWaikawa road, be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The recommendation has been endorsed by the House. The Minister for Education has laid on the table a return showing the manner in which the Education Boards of the colony, under section 45 of " The Education Act, 1877," consults the school committee of the district before appointing a school teacher. _ The Minister for Lands staled that he some time ago asked the Crown law draughtsman to draw up a bill bearing upon losses caused by bush fires and for the settlement of such differences amongst settlers by arbitration. The whole subject of averting and modifying bush fires was one on which lie was anxious to obtain information. The Joint Agricultural and Stock Committee had the Slaughtering Bill under consideration this morning. It was decided to postpone tho matter for a week in order to give tho butchers in various parts of the colony an opportunity of expressing their views on the Mr Carson asked the Minister for Public Works how many copies of the map produced by the Hon. J. M'Kenzie in the recent financial debate had been printed and circulated. The Minister, in a jocular way, said that 7900 maps had been sent out with Hansard, and there was still a largo demand for the volume in question. _ It might be necessary to issue a second edition. Are you giving them away or selling them?" asked Mr Crowther. Mr Hall- Jones made no reply to this question, but another member gave Mr Crowther the desired information: They are giving them away." he said. Mr Taylor again criticised some recent Government appointments this evening when the House was considering the Estimates. He said a well-known spieler had recently been appointed to the Police Force, and was now patrolling the streets of Wellington. The Premier persists that he is serious in the hope he has more than once expressed of making process with, if not passing, the famous Local Government Bill this session, but no one else seems to entertain any such hope. Sir Maurice O'Rorke took* his seat in the Speaker's chair again to-day, after his recent indisposition and subsequent visit to Auckland.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14-. In the Legislative Council on Wednesday, the Water Supply Bill was passed, and the Bankruptcy Bill was committed and somewhat amended, but it is meeting with opposition. BANKRUPTCY. The Bankruptcy Act Amendment Bill, introduced by the Hon. Mr Lee Smith, was considered in Committee. The measure met with hostile criticism from the Hon. Messrs M'LEAN and OLIVER, the latter holding that it was a direct incentive to farmers not to keep records of transactions. Several motions to report progress were negatived, and eventually it was decided that sheep farmers and gold miners should not be exjjected to keep euch full books of accounts a3 traders. Further discussion was then adjourned, leave being given to sit again.

In the House of Representatives on Wednesday, after a number of new bills had been introduced and read a first time, the report of the Police Commission came on. the Minister for Defence moving that the report be referred to the Public Accounts Committee. The debate was not concluded when the House adjourned. NEW BILLS. The following bills were introduced and read a first time: — Wairarapa North County Loan, Public Works Act Amendment, Land Drainage Act Amendment, Tramways Act Amendment, and Admiralty House Bill. THE TRAMWAYS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Tramways Act Amendment Bill introduced to-day is, according to the Premier, intended to meet cases where applications are made to the local bodies for the transfer of tramways. The bill provides that such transfers are not to be arbitrarily refused the right of appeal to the Supreme Court being given. At present when the local body concerned says no, the company is powerless.