PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10137, 25 August 1904, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE CHALLENGED.

(From oiu* Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. An unusual position arose m the House yesterday afternoon. It was proposed to introduce a Bill amending the Cook and Other Islands Act, and as the Bill contained a clause appropriating -money from the Consolidated Fund it had to be introdtaccd by message from- the Governor. That message was forwarded by telegram from Sea-cliff, where His Excellency was en route to Christchurch, when communicated with on the subject, and on the telegram being read the Leader of the Opposition, raised the point of order — a- Governor's message must under the Standing Orders be introduced m writing. The Minister for Railways replied that the practice adopted m the present instance had been followed scores of times without challenge for twenty-five 3*ears. The Governor had' m his absence from Wellington sent- . official communications by telegram, and these had been accepted by the Comptroller and Auditor General as sufficient authority for tire payment of large sums from the public funds. The Telegraph Line Act provided that telegrams should be accepted m the Supreme Court, and he contended that authority was sufficient when transmitted by a responsible Minister. Mr Speaker ruled that the Bill could not be received witli telegraphic authority, so its introduction had to be deferred. A LENGTHY SESSION. Apparently the Premier anticipates a long session," judging by the answer given by him yesterday to a question submitted by the member for Otaki. The latter asked whether he would state the approximate date when the Levin natives will be called together to discuss the conversion of Lake Horowhenua into a national park. Mr Seddon furnished this terse reply : "Immediately after the session, when the summer is somewhat advanced." This looks as if the head of the Government regards a long session as assured. THE "NOBLE ART." The Police Offences Amendment Bill, which deals with boxing, brought the Hon. J. Rigg to his feet m the Legislative Council yesterday. When the Bill was m Committee he asked if the restrictions the Bill imposed would mean that there could be no boxing exhibition except under the control of tlie Boxing Associations. Why should a professional boxer be prevented from giving an exhibition m connection, with a theatrical performance? Tlie Bill was introduced by the Colonial Secretary (the Hon. J. G. Ward), who was patron of the Wellington Boxing Association, so they would see at once that it would emanate from interested individuals. He- recognised that the members of the Association were trying, without profit lo themselves, to purify the sport, but it was a question whether though they were doing veil they should "be given a monopply. He suggested that the words '.'boxing exhibition" be struck out of the Bill. The Attorney-General replied that if a boxing exhibition were permitted a prize fight or a fight for the "gate" might be introduced under this guise. He agreed' to postpone clause 4 (no boxing contest except by permit granted to a registered association) m order to consult with tlie authors of the Bill. The Hon. G. Jones thought a visiting professional desirous of giving an exhibition could do so by giving it under the auspices of tlie Association, which was to do its best to regulate boxing and exclude evils. Finally tlie Hon. Mr Rigg called for a division on his motion to postpone clause 2, which was rejected by 16 votes to 8. All the clauses passed without amendment, save the postponed clause 4, which will probably be the subject of some further contention. MAORI ANTIQUITIES. It will i be. remembered tliat some months ago the famous carved house at ■Whakarewarewa was, notwithstanding the Maori Antiquities Act, which pvo- : vides that no Maori antiquities may he exported from the colony unless they have first been offered to the Government, whisked Away, to Germany via Sydney, under the description of scenic effects, the authorities not being aware of the export till two weeks after the house had left the colony. With the object of preventing this again taking place, the Colonial 1 Secretary has introduced a Bill amending the Maori Antiquities Act, prescribing that every person who, vyithout the express permission m writing of the Colonial Secretary, exports irom New Zealand any Maori antiquities shall be liable to a "fine of £100. Notice of the intention to export any Maori relics shall be given by the exporter to the Collector or other proper officer of Customs at least 24 hours before shipment. Any Maori antiquity entered for export contrary to the Acts shall be forfeited and shall vest m his Majesty for the use of the people of New Zealand. On! any application for permission to export any Maori antiquity the Colonial Secretary may, if he thinks fit, make it a condition to the granting of the application that the owner of the antiquity will allow it to be copied. WATER-RACES. The Colonial Secretary proposes to slightly amend the Water Sujbply Act to provide that the County Councils or Water Supply Boards may rate their districts to pay for maintaining and repuir- : iug water-races, and the interest and J sinking fund on any loan raised to pro- ! vide for tlie cost of construction. At ,' present rates may only be levied to cover | interest and sinking fund' on the cost j of maintenance and repairs, no provision I being made for actual cost of repairs being chargeable to rate. PETROLEUM. Tlie Minister for Mines has introduced a Bill dealing with prospecting and. mining for petroleum. The Bill provides" that, the Warden may grant a prospecting license authorising the holder to prospect for petroleum over- any Crown lands specified m the license not exceeding 10,000 acres, whether m or outside a mining district. Every application for a yospecting license shall be accompanied; by a deposit of £1000, and shall continue m force for five years, the owner to have the exclusive right to prospect tn the land to which the license refers. Regulations may be provided for the employment of labor andl development of the mine, and a prospector may lease any area of land not exceeding 1000 acres m one block. Every application for a lease, which shall be for a term of 63 years, is to be accompanied. by a deposit of £5000. Leases shall not be subject to cancellation if tho land proves auriferous, but. mining privileges may be issued m respect of the land leased. LOCAL BODIES' LEASES. The Local Bodies Leases Bill, which has been introduced' by Sir Joseph Ward, is a purely consolidating measure, containing no new features. RATING. A Bill to amend the Rating Act, the third this session, luis been introduced by Sir Joseph Ward; Thjs measure provides that the decision of the Assessment Court shall be final as to value only, and that appeals may be made- on points jf law. PUBLIC HEALTH. A Bill has been introduced by Sir Joseph Ward to amend! the Public Health Act Amendment Bill, with the object of extending to district boards the responsibility of providing and maintaining infectious diseases hospitals. In addition bo the hospital "boards which were made responsible by tlie Act of last session tliere are ten district boards m existence m the colony. JOITINGS. In tihe House yesterday the Harbors Act Amendment: Bill passed through Committee. The Marriage Restriction Removal Bill was thrown out by 35 to 21. The Land Drainage, Indictable Offences, and School Attendance Bills passed final stages. The Maori Forests Bill and the Local Bodies Looms Act Amendment Bill are tlie latest. Government measures of which notice of introduction lias been given. Sir W. R. Russell is inquiring when tho report of the Commandant of the Forces will be presented to Parliament. Mr Kirkbride. desire* to know whether the Government intend tto introduce any legislation aanending the law so as to give power to levy rates on the revenue, of Harbor Boards, for the purpose of erecting or maintaining hospitals for infectious diseascts.