WEDNESDAY, August 20.

Colonist, Volume XVI, Issue 1162, 22 August 1873, Page 4

WEDNESDAY, August 20.

In tbe Lower House, the National Bank Bill was read a third time and passed. In reply to Mr. Eeid, the Minister of Works said if the Bill to meet the requirements of the coal mines regulation, introduced by Mr. Reid was pressed, Ministers would support it. In reply to Mr. Ormond, Mr. Yo&vl said that the Government would take the census as usual, and a Tote would be put on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose. In reply to Mr. Fox, the Native Ministbb said the Government would not introduce a Bill this session to give the Maoris an opportunity of being elected members of Provincial Council. The following Bills were read a first time:—To amend the Munioipal Corporations Act, 1867; to amend the Westland Waste Lands Acts, 1870; to amend the Laws for the Protection of Animals; to amend the Weights and Measures Act, 1868 j and the Immigrants' Land Bill. In Committee, the discussion on the Licensing Bill was resumed. Clause 9, specifying what licenses shall be granted was passed with the following amendment by Mr.Eollkstox, "and such may be provided for by any Act or Ordinance of the Provincial Council of the Protince in which the house for which such license is to be granted is situated." Clauses 10,11,12, and 13, providing forms in whioh wholesale and retail licenses shall be drawn out for houses having only one bar opening to a public street, and for pocket license. Clause 14 passed with the paragraph struck out fixing the amount of fee to be charged for wholesale licenses. Clauses 15 and 16, regarding notices of applications for licenses and posting lists of same were passed. Clause 17, providing for licensing courts, was passed after a discussion. Clause 18, with seventeen sub-sections, fixing the constitution of courts, and numbers and mode of election of members, and other details, evoked warm discussion. As framed, it provided that the court should consist of not more than seven or less than three, including the presiding officer who was to be a magistrate for the district, to be elected by the inhabitants. After a long discussion, a motion by Mr. T. B. G-ILLIB3 was carried on a division by 17 to 13, for removing the elective principle, and making the courts nominated by the Governor. Progress was then reported. A resolution from the Committee regarding the Governor's Salary Billf was agreed to. Mr. Macandbew gave notice to move the House into Committee to plaoe on the Supplementary Estimates £1500 for establishing communication between the East and West Coast of the Middle Island; also, that the import duties to be levied on goods from Victoria to cease when Victoria admits New Zealand goods free. In reply to Mr. Murray, the Premier said that Judge Arney, while Acting-Governor, drew full salary as Justioeand Governor till"the 15th April, the date when the Governor left England for the Colony, and full salary as Justice and half as Governor from that time till the arrival of the Governor. A Bill to enable the Superintendent of Otago to construct a branoh line of railway from the Southern Trunk Railway to Green Island Coalfield was read a first time.

THTJRSDAY, Atot/st 21. In the House to-day, Mr. O'Nbill mored that the gold duty be reduoed by sixpence an ounce. Mr. Yoosii was sorry to be obliged to oppose the motion. A mint was to be established for the purpose of combination amongst the bankers. The reduction might benefit Auckland, but not Otago or Westland. He was sorry the reduction was made last year. It was not a tax on the miners. The Groldfields members should be glad that others opposed the reductions. Mr. O'Conob supported the motion, and quoted largely from statistics to show that the miners of New Zealand were worse off than those in Viotoria. He also showed that the yield of gold was reducing and the number of miners falling off. Messrs. J. L. G-illies, E.BADEB, Wood, aud Fox supported the motion, the latter gentleman saying that the understanding last year was that the reduction should be gradual each year. Mr. White argued against the duty as a special tax, and urged the absurdity of levying a »peoial tax on an industry already heavily taxed. Major Atkinson opposed the motion, and said the question was one of royalty not of special taxation. Mr. Sheehan opposed the motion on the ground that the Assembly bad no right to remove the revenue of the Provinces. Mr. Br/CKIAND said that unless tho tax was continued Auckland Province would become insolvent. The debate was interrupted by the dinner hour.

Bbatb Old Oaks.—ln 1810 (says the Antiquary) an oak was felled near Newport, in Monmouthshire, measuring 28ft, in circumference. It was supposed to he 400 years old from the number of rings in the grain ; and it was stated at the time that the timber sold for £670, and the bark for £200. The " Parlia ment Oak" in Olipstone Pvrk is, according to tradition one under which Edward I. held a Parliament, and is supposed to be 1500 yeara old. At Welbeok Abbey an oak, called the '■ Duke's Walkingstick," is 112 ft. high. The " Gh-eendale Oak" covers a space of 700 square yar^s, and has a coaob read cue through it, • The " Two Porters " are 100 ft. high; the "Seven Sisters" has ievei> stems 90ft. in height. There are some othei extraordinary oaks at Welbeck Abbey. The inrgest oak in England is eaid to bo afc Culthorpe, in Yorkshire ; it nrvioures 78ft. in circumference wheru i, meets the ground.