PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6307, 3 August 1888, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

s> [FKOM 01 UH EPECIAIt CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, August 2. CONSERVATION OF PISH. Mr Peiwval raised a storm in a teapot by referring to tbe much-vexed question of the fish in Lake Ellcsmere. He demanded ] proper regulations, which would protect the salmon that were now, without doubfc, successfully acclimatised there. At present, the regulations protected the mouths of the Selwyn and Irwell, but moatj inconsistently left, the mouths of other rivers unprotected. The Minister for Marine admitted the importance of the question generally, but pleaded the expense which would be caused by efficient protection. Mr O'Callaghan pointed out that additional protection need entail no additional cose. Sir John Hall made a speech on behalf Of the Late fishermen, ttHos© industry was threatened with death by the unreasonable action of the Christchurch Acclimatisation Society. Mr Perceval stated that the Christchurch Acclimatisation Society was not so unreasonable as the member for Selwyn suggested. The Society was quite willing to confer with all the local bodies on the Bubject, and did not ask for the closing of Lake Ellesmere. Mr Turnbnll dilated on the hardship of closing the Opihi lagoon, especially on the Native fishermen. Mr Parata appealed on behalf of hia iTaori constituents, who were beinK debarred from their ancient fisheries. Mr Fisher made another long speech, in which ho fell back on the Bill he had introduced this session, but which the House co far had not been able to debate. It was thus not the fault of the Government if the matter had not been settled. A member pointed out that; Mr Fisher could issue regulations which would meet the case, even if his Bill were hung up till next session. VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS. The village settlement question came up again to-day. A deputation of Auckland members waited on the Premier to urge j that a certain sum should be annually set ; I apart for the purpose of village home- ! steads. The Premier told them that he, j individually, was in favour of village ! settlement, and that he would try and see .if anything conld be done, The depuI tation pointed out that they wanted the question, settled in a friendly way, as they were chiefly staunch Government supporters. I daresay they were quite sincere I in saying so. j This afternoon, when Major Steward, Mr ! Turnbull, and Mr W. P. Beeves urged on j the Minister for Lands to continue settle- | ment in Canterbury, Sir George Grey j attacked village settlements bitterly on the ' ground that the system would merely provide labourers and seifs for large proprietors. When did Sir George Grey ever support a practical scheme for benefiting the poor ? THE MEMBER FOB ASHLEY. There is no news to-day, except that I am told that Mr Verrall has formally given in hia adhesion to the Government. [FfiOM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ELECTRICITY V. HANGING: THE MEMBEB FOR SYDENHAM. Mr Taylor's question to-day as to whether Government will bring in a Bill this session to amend the law in the direction of substituting death by electricity for hanging in executions for murder, was provocative of some amount of amusement. The member for Sy denham solemnly informed the House that his suggestion had been undertaken in America and Germany, with very satisfactory results. This announcement was received with roars o£ laughter, and a query from a member near, to whom Mr Taylor replied: — "To persons interested; I hope the hon gentleman will not make this a iocular matter." Mr Seddon interjected, amidst a fresh outburst of laughter, "It ia a jugular matter." Mr Taylor, resuming, stated that he had tabled his notice in the interests of humanity. This brought Mr Samuel to Ma feet with a point of order as to whether the member for Sydenham was not raising debatable matter in stating that his proposal was in tho interests of humanity. The Speaker ruled that Mr Taylor was out of order. The Premier, in reply to the question, stated it was a grave question, which he Eliould be prepared to look into during the recess.

A Swisß watch manufacturer has just invented a watch for the Wind, on tho dial of which the hours are indicated by twelve 1 projecting pegs, one of -which, sinks every hour.