PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4163, 24 August 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNOIL.

Tubbday, August 23.

The Council met at 2.30 p.m,

The Hon W. Bobinson gave notice for a return of the indebtedness in every form of overy local bcly in New Zealand.

The Licensing Bill was recommitted, and a clause inserted that children under 16 shall not be supplied unless lodging in hotels with, their parents. The Bill was then read a third time and sent back to the Lower House.

A memo was reoeived from Captain Hume, saying the first he heard of the Council wanting a return was through reading a newspaper. He therefore complained of the remarks in the report of the Civil Service Beturn Enquiry Commission.

The Hon P. Btjoklby objected to the memo lying on the table, as Captain Hume had not yet been blamed.

On a division, the memo was allowed to remain by 13 to 12.

The Dentist Act 1880 Amendment Bill and the Oamaru Harbour Board Bill were read a third time, and passed. The Bupreme Oourt Praotice and Procedure Bill was reai a second time.

The Hon F. Whitakbb moved the reading of the Fixtures Law Amendment Bill.

The Hon M. Holmes moved that it be thrown out, and Ihe Bill was thrown out by 18 to 8.

The Hon H. J. Millbb moved the appointment of a Boyal Commission to enquire into the question of harbours for the west coast of both Islands, with special reference to Taranaki.

A debate ensued, during whioh several members expressed their conviction that Boyal Commissions do jno good, that all the artificial harbour works in New Zealand, except afc Oamaru, have been simply money thrown away, and thafc ifc is high time the Legislature should have the political courage to stop the whole thing. Oaptain Fbasbb Baid £400,0C0 had been squandered at Dunedin, and that fche authorities there and at other places all thought they knew better than Sir John Coode and other eminent engineers.

Eventually, upon the Hon F. Whitakbb pointing out that carrying the motion would do no practical good, it was withdrawn. The Standing Orders Committee brought up a report on Captain Baiilie's case, to the effect that the receipt of forage allowance by a volunteer officer did not disqualify him from sitting in Parliament.

The Oounoil rose at 5 p.m.