HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5348, 28 August 1895, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tubsdat, August 27. AFTEENOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p,m. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Dufchie, The Hon W. P. Beeves said that no information had been received by the Justice Department, either from the legal profession or from the Supreme Court authorities, that any inconvenience waa being caused through the non-appointaient of a judge to fill tha vacancy caused by Mr Justice Eichmond'a death, and filling: the vac "vncy did not rest with the Minister of Justice. Replying to Mr Flatman, The Hon J» M'Kenzib said that as soon aa tha Government decided on its action with respect to extending the time for payment of renta and Bheep tax due by Crown te-ants where excessive loss of stock had been sustained through Bnow daring the past winter, he would inform the House of Ub decision. Eeplying to Mr Bulck, whether the Government would take Btepa to have the stamp duty of 2<j 6d on strychnine and arsenic removed in cases where these poisons are used in the destruction of rabbits and Bmall birds, The Hon J. M'Kenzie said that this matter was being inquired into, and a decision would shortly be come to in the matter. Eeplyiag to Mr Maslin, The Hon J. M'Kenzie said that the "Fair .Kent Bill would shortly be introduced into the House. Eeplying to Mr Pirani, . The Hon W. P. Beeves said that he would consider the advisableneas of appointing a member of the legal profession in each district at a fixed scale of charges to act on behalf of workmen seeking to recover their wages under the Contractors and Workmen's Lien Act. Beplying to Mr Flatman, whether the Minißter of Agriculture would take Bteps to prevent any further shipments of sheep or cattle from the North Island to the South Island until a clean certificate could ba given to the North Island to the effect tbat anthrax had been stamped out, The Hon J. M'Kenzie said that he could not agree to this request, as it would not be advisable; but every precaution was being taken to prevent this disease from spreading. Beplying to Dr Newman, whether the Minister of Agriculture would take steps to prevent the importation of manures from any country infected with anthrax. The Hon J. M'Kenzie Baid that he would make full inquiries into Ihe matter, and would take every precaution Beplying to Mr G. Hutchison, whether one of the two members of the Civil Service (Justice Department) to whom advances have been made by tho Government out of public moneys, is a' Stipendiary Magistrate, The Hon W. P. Beeves said tbat it waa true the Civil servant referred to was a Magistrate. The amount advanced was jBIOO, and the amount outstanding at the end of the year was £60. Beplying to Mr Morrison, The Hon A. J. Cadman said that, outside the question of expense, he found that it would be inexpedient to put footvarmers into long railway carriages, but he had not yet fully considered the matter, although the Railway Department had done bo. Beplying to Mr Crowther, The Hon W. P. Beeves anid that it depended on the progress of public bußint 89 when the Shops and Shop Aeuatanta Act Amendment Bill would be brought down, Vttt he hoped to Introduce it shortly. WItSON LAND .BILL. The Wilson Land Bill was coaimiltcd and passed without amendment. FENCING. The Fencing Bill waa committed. Clause 23— Goree not to bo planted without consent of neighbours. Mr Bcddo moved that thio should no« a Pif''7 *°! ao^ -where tke rateable valuti waa ltts bVirtfj £1 per aero. Tbe Hon J. M'Kbmzie hoped that tho

amendment would not be pressed, aßit] would be very difficult to define the value of land. After a lengthy diaoußßion Mr Buddo withdrew his amendment. Me Montgomery moved an amendment that no planting of gorae should take place on hilly land without the consent of neighbour 3. The Hon J. M'Ksnzib opposed the amendment, and said that he was prepared to insert a proviso to the effect that if at any time any person objected to the erection of a live fence the matter could be taken before a magistrate. Mr Montgomery's amendment was lost on the voices and the clause passed. Clanee 24— Swing gates across roads. Mr Montgomery moved to strike out a portion of the clause, which imposed a penalty not exceeding <£5 upon every peraon who damages or leaves open any swing gate in a road, bridge, or in any rabbitproof fence, or who after passing through such gate does not close it. The Hon J. 11'Kenzie opposed the amendment. Mr W. Kelly thought that no one should be compelled to shut gates, as it sometimes happened that in the caae of ladies driving the hozses would bolt if they were allowed to stand whilst the gate was being shut. Mr Duncan supported the amendment. Mr E. Thompson thought it might be made to apply to rabbit fences and not to gates on ordinary roads. . Mr Flatman thought that rabbit fences should be protected, and he would move that it should apply to those fences only. Mr Montgomery's amendment was lost on the voices. Mr Bell moved that the whole clause' should be struck out so as to insert certain sections of the Public Works Act. The Hon J< M'Kefzie hoped that the committee would pass the clause as it stood, as the Bill had been very carefully con- \ sidered by the Agricultural Committee. The clause was carried by 32 to 28. The House rose at 5.30.