PARLIAMENTARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LV, Issue 5739, 2 August 1893, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

WELLINGTON, August 1. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p m. JJILI PABSBD. The New Zealimd Institute of Journalisti Bill passed its final stages. MAGIBTKAXBB COCBT #ILIj, The Magistrates Courb Bill was partly con . sidered m Oommitteo. , HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICE TO INTEODTJOB, ; Mr O'Conor gave notice to introduce fchi i Eeferendum Bill. ! SECOND BBADINQ Tha William Hobingon Batato Trust Bil i was read a second time. I EBPLieS TO QUKSriONa. I fieplyiog to Mr Guinness, 6 >* 0 p re mier snii

g that the Government ware awaiting th o opinion of experts on the oondition of th a Brunnerton coal mines, before taking an; 8 t action m the matter. Considerable discussion ensued, but thi Premier said that no good would resul therefrom, till the Government had mon information on the subject. Replying to Mr 0. H. Mills, Mr Ware said that a Bill would be brought down it a few days to amend the Public Trust Offic< Bill. The Publio Trustee will ba empowerec to pay the rightful owner any small sum o money standing to his credit without th< olaimant having first to obtain an order oi the Supremo Court. NAT TR LAND XBGISLATION. After further debate the West Ooaol Settlements Reserves Act was road a seoond time, and referred to the Native Affair* Committee. Mr Carroll moved the second reading of the Native Trusts and Claim* Definition Registration Bill, to define and give effect to certain native trusts and olaims. The motion was agreed to after a short debate, and the Bill was referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The Bohe Potae Investigation of Titles Amendment Bill was read a seoond time and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p m. THB CHEVIOT COUNTY BIIL. On the motion for the committal of the Cheviot County Bill, Mr Rhodes presented a petition from several people who wished to be cut out of the county, and he asked the Minister to postpone further consideration of the Bill for a few days. Mr McKenzie said that he could cot see his way to do this. After a short ditouesioa the House went into committee on the Bill, which passed without amendment and was put through its final stages. SECOND BBADINOS. The Premier moved the seoond rosding of the North of Auckland Vehicle Licensing Bill, to extend the powers of the County Counoih m the northern parts of the North Island so as to enable them to raise the funds necessary to defray the cost of maintenance and repairs of county roads. Ho explained that the Bill simply provided that all vehicles should be taxed by the Northern County Councils for the maintenance of county roads. In the course of the debate which followed several members expressed the opinion that the prinoiple contained m this measure should bo applied to the whole colony, and not to one particular district. The members representing the district interested pointed out that the traffio on the roads m the north was of an exceptionally heavy character, and that the reads could not be maintained on local revenue. The motion for tho second reading wqb agreed to on the voices. Mr Ward moved the second reaiing of the Sub-marine Telegraph Cables Protection Bill, for tbe protection of the submarine telegraph oables lying m the vioinity of Lyell's Bay m Ojok Straits. He pointed out that as there was £40,0J0 worth of property represented m the cables, the Bill simply provided that any damage happening to those cable* by tbe discharge of sewage should be made good bf the Wellington Corporation, Mr Duthie, Mr McLean, Mr Wright, and Mr W. Hutcheson said that the Bill should be dropped. Mr Willis supported the Bill. Mr Ward remarked that tbe Bill was a very harmless measure, and he hoped that it would be allowed to go through its second reading The motion was agreed to on the voices. BILL PASSED . The Conservation of Bights Bill went through committee without amendment, was read a third time and passed. IJIPBIBONMENT FOB DEBT ABOLITION BILL. Mr McLean resumed the debate on the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill. He expressed the hope that the Government would drop the measure. Mr W. Hutcnisou spoke m support of the Bill Mr Guinness, Mr Palmer, and Mr Buckland spoke against the Bill. Sir E. Stout moved the adjournment of the debate. The motion was lost by 26 to 23. The Premier strongly defended the Bill, and said that it was remarkable that it was opposed by the lawyers m the House. On a division the seoond reading was carried by 27 to 24. THB KLECTOBAL BILL The Electoral Bill was further considered m committee. In olause 7, dealing with the qualification of Maoris to vote, Mr Shera moved an amendment, the effect of which would place Maoris on the same electoral footing as European?. The Premier said that he could not accept the amendment. Tbe ohange proposed by Mr Shera should be brought down m a separate measure. The natives were satisfied with their system of representation, and the Government could not accept a surprise amendment of this kind. After a debste lasting upwords of two hours, Mr Shera'a amendment waa rejected by 35 to 11, and tha clause was carried. Progress was roportod on clause 10, and the House rose at 12.50 a.m.