COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9264, 31 August 1898, Page 2

COUNCIL.

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Banking Bill was farther considered in Committee. The Minister for Education undertook to further consider clause 14, in response to a motion by Mr Jones, that the number of proxies to be held by any proxy-holder be reduced from five hundred to one hundred. Clause 17 :" Compensation may be accepted in respect to liability for calls." Mr Bigg moved to strike the provision out, and Mr Stevens questioned whether it was not desirable to make all applicants go before the Supreme Court, instead of allowing that Directors deal with cases involving less than £250.' The matter was eventually postponed for f ature deliberation. The remaining clauses passed without amendment, and the Bill was reported. The Franchise Beform Bill was committed. A long discussion ensued on the construction ol clause 2. Mr Bigg moved that lodger be incorporated in the interpretation of residential occupant, and Mr Jennings that the qualification be reduced from ten to five pounds. These were both negatived, and the clause passed unaltered. On clause 4, " freehold qualification," Mr Bigg moved its expungment from the Bill, but the clause was agreed to on the voices. Mr McLean's motion to amend qualificatioo of residential occupant from three months was agreed to, and six months substituted. Mr Jenkinson urged that the provision be struck out which prevents residents residents voting on financial issues, but this was lost by 27 to 5, those voting in its favor being Messrs McCullough, Bigg, Jones, Jenkinson, and Pinkerton. The proposal by Mr McLean that nothing in the Bill should apply to the election of members of fi arbor Board, was negatived. Clause 15 was struck out on the motion of Mr Oliver, its provisions being to confer dual voting power on man and wife. The Bill was reported with amendments, and the third reading set down for next day. The Council rose at s*lo.