EVENING SITTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4400, 1 June 1882, Page 4

EVENING SITTING.

The House met at 7.30 p.m. BIGHP HOUBS BILL. Mr Levestam supported the Bill, 'believing, however, that in Committee it could be amended. Mr Fish supported tho Bill, contending that at the lowest estimate it would have a grand moral effect on the labour question, and at least confirm the system amongst those who are at present strong enough to enfoico it. He next alluded to the case of the railway drivers, and read a letter stating that the driver of a train, who recently met with a fatal acoident at Kartigi, in Otago, tad been employed on a stretch immediately before the accident, for 45 hours. He asked Government to enquire into the truth of the statement. Mr Bathgatb supported the Bill, adding that in Committee ho would move, as an amendment —" That no contract outside the Act should bo valid unleßS reduced to writing." The Hon W. Johnston would support the Bill. Regarding what had been said about the engine drivers, he had made enquiries, and could not find that any driver had ever been required to work more than twelve hours per day. He had asked for a return of all work perfornwd by the engine driver, and if he found more than eight hours' work was performed by each he would Bee that it was at once put a stop to. Respecting telegraph operators, they were only required to work eight hours, and if it was shown that they had worked moro then they were allowed overtime. He reminded them that he had only recently come into office, and it might be that he was not yet thoroughly acquainted with all the working details of his Department. Mr Joyce pointed out that no .penalty waa provided for under tho Bill for defaulters. No doubt that would be remedied in Committee. The motion for the second reading was carried on the voices. LIABILITY 07 GAS COKSTJMEBS. Mr Hutchison moved tho second wading of the Gas Companies and Consumers Liability Bill. Its object was to limit the liability of consumers, and prevent a new tenant of a house being held liable for the unpaid gas account of the previous tenant. Mr Foltqx supported the BUI, stating that ho had been a victim to the law as it now stands. The motion passed on the voiceß. TVEST COAST PEACE PBBSBBYATICWC BILL. The adjourned debate on the Wo3t Coaet Peace Preservation Bill was resumed by Mr Holmes. Messrs Taieroa, Sheehan, Weeton, Fitz.geraid, and Steward also took paxt in the debate. The debato was adjourned on the motion of Mr Tohoaxa, and the House rose at ?,2 o'clock.