PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2914, 28 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, July 27. Tho Council met at 2.30 p.m. SECOND BEADING. The Private Tramways Bill (Mr Hart) was read a second time. REPLY. In reply to Mr Holmes, the Hon Mr Oliver said tho Chinese crews of vessels were not called upon to pay a poll tax unless they remained in the colony. The Chinese cook of the India, at Auckland, had remained in the colony, and was called on to pay. The cook of the Sybil did not remain, and therefore had not to pay. The Council then rose, the sitting lasting only ten minutes. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICE OF DILL. Sir G. Grey gave notice he' would introduce a Bill for the reduction of taxation through tho Customs and property tax revenue, the deficiency to be made good by the imposition of a tax on land. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Hutchison gave notice ho would move for the appointment of a Commission to consider and report upon the best means for regulating the hours of labor in shops, banks, &o. POISONED AIR OP THE HOUSE.

Mr George directed attention to the insanitary state of the House, consequent upon which serious illness prevailed among members, and more especially among the occupants of the reporter’s gallery. To such an extent had illness prevailed among the latter that there was only one reporter who was really in a position to continue work to a late hour in the evening. The matter required immediate attention, and not a single hour should be lost. It was suggested a commission, consisting of the Colonial Architect, Dr Hector, and some independent authority, be instructed to report upon the ventilation, etc., and as to what steps should be taken for improving the same. There was another matter of oven more pressing importance. A few days ago a gentleman belonging to tho reporting gallery was taken suddenly unwell. His medical adviser gave it that he was suffering from arsenical poisoning and on investigating tho matter it was found the green damask hangings with which tho chamber was surrounded were impregnated with arsenic, and to that cause the illness was attributed. Lust night a member of tho House was attacked in precisely the same way, and he was now laid up with serious illness. That was a matter which demanded attention. These hangings should be removed at once, even although the chamber might look a little bare in consequence. These mutters should be taken in hand at once, as tho existing state of things was undoubtedly tending to most alarming consequences. Tho Hon. Major Atkinson said the Government would undertake to have tho matter looked into at once, with the view of getting the ventilation improved as also the bangings complained of removed at oQOO if found dangerous. -

Mr Macandrew said there was no use getting reports on the subject. What ( was wanted was what ho had all along | urged upon the House, viz,, that the business should be closed by midnight,' and that they should get away to their j beds in something like a timely hour. 1 Mr George stated that in the event of the Committee reporting that no remedy could be found, then they should be instructed to furnish an estimate of the probable cost of an entirely new building. Mr J. C. Brown agreed with Mr Macandrew that the best remedy would be to finish business at midnight and hoped the Government would, facilitate them in their endeavors to adjourn not later than 12a.m, Mr Shephard suggested that the estimate of a new building should be based on an estimate of removing the seat of Government to some more suitable place than Wellington appeared to be for the purpose. Government reiterated that the sub ject would have immediate consideration and that no efforts would be spared to remedy the evil. PRIVATE BILLS. The following Bills were reported, read a third time, and passed ;—Bluff Harbor Foreshore Reclamation Bill and Dunedin Southern Marketßoserves Leasing Bill. The TimaruJHarbor Board and Timaru High School Act 1877 Amend* meat Bills were further considered in Committee, and reported with amendments.

The Lyttelton Harbor Board Bill was reported, read a third time and passed. The Otago Harbor Board Further Empowering Bill was further considered in Committee. Mr Wright moved as an amendment that not more than one-fonrth of the sum of £50,000 should be spent in the upper harbor until such time as there was a depth of 23 feet upon the bar at low water. The Committee divided —Ayes, 41 ; Noes 24. The amendment was accordingly added as a new clause to the Bill which was reported as amended. Mr Fitzgerald moved the second reading of the Hokitika High School Bill. Mr Petrie and Mr Weston opposed the Bill, contending that the School should be established at Greyrnouth, as being more central to the district as a, whole. The motion for the second reading was carried on the voices, and the House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Buchanan moved the second reading of the Napier High School Bill. The motion was carried. Mr Macandrew moved the second reading of the Portobello Road Board Enabling Bill. The motion was carried. Mr Tnrnbull moved the second reading of the North Tinian Cemetery Sale Bill. The motion was carried. Mr Feldwick moved the second reading of the Gladstone Recreation Reserve Bill. The motion was carried. Mr Pearson moved the second reading of the Rangiora Domain Board Empowering Bill. Mr O’Callaghan objected to the prinsiple of the Bill. The motion was carried, ROAD TO OTAGO HEADS.

The House went into Committee to consider an Address to the Governorrequesting him te cause to bo placed on the Estimates £SOO to complete the road to Otago Heads. Tho Hon. Mr Johnston objected, stating there was an unexpended balance which would be made available for the the purpose, and on that understanding ing, progress was reported.

EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

This Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed. SCHOOL COMMITTEES ELECTION BILL. The School Committees Election Bill was further considered in Committee and reported with amendments, which were ordered to bo considered on Tuesday next. PUBLIC OFFENDERS DISQUALIFICATION BILL. In Committee on the Public Offenders Disqualification Act Amendment Bill, the Hon. Mr Dick said he thought Mr Levestam, who was in charge of the Bill, should move that the Act of 1867 should be repealed. Mr Levestam said that the Act of 1867 was of no use. He had received the highest legal authority on the subject, Mr DeLautour could not see why our law should not be more stringent than that of 1867, and thought the law should remain as at present. The Bill was then reported with amendments. SMALL BIRDS NUISANCE BILL. The Small Birds Nuisance Bill was carried with amendments. y LAND BOARDS BILL. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Land Boards Bill. Mr Bathgate said his leading idea was to localise government throughout the colony, and he maintained a charge was necessary in the matter of Land Boards. Mr Stevens said it was impossible for a Minister of Lands living or interested in Wellington to look after the requirements of, the people. He thought it would be far better if such an officer were made elective by the people. Mr Seddon looked upon the present measure as the most important that had been brought before the House, and would give the Bill his hearty support. He did not blame the present Ministry for any wrongs that had taken place, but hoped the Bill would pass its second reading. Mr Feldwiok called for a division, which resulted as follows Ayes, 36 ; Noes, 4. The Bill wag then referred to the Waste Lands Committee, and the House adjourned at 1.15 a.in.