HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10656, 3 July 1896, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TfloftßDAYy July 2.— The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. The Legislative Council Act Amendment Bill was introduced a&d read a first time. Three local bills were read s second time. Mr Stewart moved the second reading of tfie Mortgages Bill, to provide that mortgages may be effected without cost or expensive deeds of instruments. The effect of the BHH, if passed 1 , would be that private persons Who wished to make small mortgages, instead of going to' a solicitor, could go to a Money Order Office and effect the ncortgage at a small cost. Mr Seddon had great pleasure in seconding the motion, and would do his best to have the Bill placed on the statute books of the colcjny. He complained of the way in which people were mulcted in legal costs in these matters, and on this account he welcomed this Bill. Sir- Robert Stout strongly opposed the Bill, and said it was really a taxation measure. After a short debate the second reading was carried by 27 to 23. MrG. W. Russell moved the second reading of the Canterbury College Bill, to amend the law relating to the election of a Board of Governors for the Canterbury College, so that the Board should be more in touch with public sentiment than was the case at present. The Bill also ' allowed women a seat on the Board. Mr Hall- Jones pointed out the Government had a Bill on the order paper dealing with the same subject, and he thought it would be as well to adjourn the dobate until members had seen the Government measure, when they would be in a better position to judge between the two Bills. Several other members spoke, and the debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. On the House resuming at 7.30 p.m. the second reading of the Canterbury College Bill was carried on the voices. The second reading of the Female Law Practitioners Bill (G. W. Russell) to allow women to practice the profession of law was agreed to on the voices without debate. Mr La wry moved the second reading of the Deceased Husband's Brother Marriage Bill to allow of the marriage with deceased husband's brother. No debate took place, and the second reading was carried by 40 to 10. The Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill was committed. Upwards of two hours' discussion took place on the scope of the Bill. Event lally an amendment, moved by tbe Premier, to make the Bill apply only to Chemis, who should have leave to apply fora new trial within twelve months, was carried by 27 to 15. Sir B. Stout moved 'to insert a proviso that a new trial should be applied -for on the ground that material evidence was forthcoming which could not have been foreseen or known before.

This was lost by 27 to 17. The Bill as amended was reported; Sir Robert Stoat moved the second reading of the Limitation of Power of Disposition by Will Bill, which provides that no, wills shall be valid if a map disposes of more than one-third of his property in favor of any person or institution other than his widow or children. Mr Seddon seconded the motion, as he thought it was very necessary to limit'the extent to which a man could will his property away from his wife and children. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. l Sir Robert Stout's Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, making iacest a penal ofience, was read a secoDd time on the i

VOICOB. Mr G. W. Bussell's Kemoval o: Woman's Disabilities Bill was committed but no progress was made with the measure, and eventually a motion by Mr T. McKenzie, that the Chairman leave the chair, was carried by 2& to 17. This had the effect of killing the bill. The House rose at 12.15 a.m.