EVENING SITTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5666, 10 September 1896, Page 4

EVENING SITTING.

The , House resumed at 7.30 p.m. in committee on the Rating Act Amendment Bill. ■: Several amendments to the Hon J. Carroll's new clause were lost. The Hon R. J. Seddon moved an amendment that the Minister, shall lease land upon the advice of the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district. Carried. ■ Captain Russell moved an amendment

that the leas© should be for seven years instead of twenty-one. Lost by 34 to 22. Allen moved to strike put portion of the clauso which allowed the Minister to dispose of the lease by tender. • The Hon J. Carroll said that he should accept "public tender," and Mr Allen moved to insert "public" before tender. Mr Allen's amendment was carried on the voices. Mr; Gr. W. Russell moved that land should be advertised in two papers circulating in the district once a week for four weeks preceding the sale. Lost by 33 to 2a Captain Russell moved a new subsection that no Native land shall bo sold or leased for non-payment of rates unless : three years' rates are unpaid and in arrears. : Lost by 29 to 22. Mr Hbke moved a new clause, that the ; Crown shall not purchase the freehold of any ]and under the ActLost by 32 to 26. : Sirß. Stout moved a new clause ; exempting machinery from rating. Carried. Mr Heke moved a new clause prohibiting the imposition of special rates by local bodies on land owned by Natives. Lost by 31 to 12. Mr Buddo moved a new clause that special rates for the annual or half-yearly charge on a loan shall be payable yearly or half-yearly. Carried. Mr Buddo moved another clause that where the yearly or half-yearly sum payable on a special or a general rate would be lesa than Is, the sum ,of Is shall be payable. Mr Tanner strongly opposed the clause. Mr Hogg suggested that where less than Is were payable no rates should be paid. Lost on the voices. ' Mr Hall moved a new clause, to the effect that no person who &hall, after the passing 1 of this Act, become #c holder of a lease in perpetuity, pr of .an occupation license of any section of G^-yrn land wholly covered with bush or seaiub not exceeding three hundred acres in sjcea, shall be liable to pay rates for three jjears after the date on which the land was Rejected. The Hon R. J. Seddon suggested that two years should be inserted. Mr Hall moved accordingly. Lost by 24 to 18. The Bill was, ordered to be reported with ! SUMMARY SEPARATION. Tfrs $if jnjmary Separation Bill was committed, ""'ClflUfe 13—A^ fa) apply to married men. Mr Jfo l^ 9tyjpfk e 4 fe £bis clause, as being 4nite Tinnece^aiy, ggs 8$ in the English Act. The Hon R. J. Seddon defended 1b& (Clause, and said that a married man might require protection. It was a very necessary clause, and, as the Bill had already passed the Council, if amendments were made it would lead to conferences which, at this stage of the session, were not desirable. The. clause was carried by 26 to 16.■'■THIRD READINGS. The Wages Protection Bill and Summary Separation Bill were read a third time and passed. Mr Pirani moved that the Rating Act Amendment Bill should be recommitted for the purpose of considering a new clause allowing persons who had previously paid the rates due by them to vote for the election of county councillors. The Hon R. J. Seddon said that this amendment had been ruled out of order by the Chairman cf Committees. * The Speaker said that that being the case he must uphold the decision of the Chairman of Committees, and refuse to allow the Bill to be recommitted for thlf purpose. Messrs Pirani, Bell, Hall, Paratd and Heke spoke on the third reading of the Bill, icll ? assed its &nal stages on the. voices.Tfy fese rose' sjjjLlGl fcffl^