EVENING SITTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5689, 7 October 1896, Page 4

EVENING SITTING.

The Legislative Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. INSPECTION OP MACHINERY. On the motion of the Minister of Education the Council agreed to the amendments made by the House of Kepreaentatives in the Inspection of Machinery Act Amendment Bill. HOROWHENTTA. In moving the second reading of the Horowhenua Block Bill, the Minister of Education referred to the unsatisfactory nature of legislation on the Native land , question and the had system of Native land titles. This Bill would clear up the title of one block of Native land and enable the owners to mate a fresh start. Naturally enough some people were not pleased. If their title to the land under discussion was not good they would have less reason to be pleased by the proposed legislation. If the titles under investigation were good they would remain good, and if bad the matter would be put right. The Minister then gave a short sketch of the history of the block. He added that he intended to move a series of amendments to the Bill when it got into Committee, which might remove some of the objections to the Bill. After some discussion the Bill was rend a second time and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. FACTORIES. In committee upon the Factories Act Amendment Bill the amendments proposed by the Labour Eills Committee were .agreed to, though, not without some opposition. The Hon J. KAcaREaoB moved a new

clause, making it unlawful for girls under fifteen years of age to sell newspapers in the 1 streets. The Hon H. Feldwick said that the practice of employing young girls to sell newspapers Avas a most vicious one, and tended to the depravity of street runners. Several Councillors expressed the opinion that the clause would be out of place in this Bill, and oh a division the clause was rejected by 16 to 6. The Bill was then reported with amendments. WAGES PROTECTION. In Committee upon the Wages Protection Bi ], the Hon. C. C. Boy/en moved to strike out the cliuicu providing that no money should be received or deducted from the wages of workmen for accident insurance policies. This clause gave rise to considerable discussion, in which tho representatives of labour in the Council spoke at length. The clause was struck out by 11 to 5. The clause providing that moneys so received or deducted might be recovered was struck out by 12 to 6. A motion by the Hon J. Rigg to report progress, and ask leave to sit again, was carried by 10 to 8. ST ALBANSLOAN. -■ The Council then went into committee upon the St Albans Borough Council Special Loan Enabling Bill and Mataura Reserve Vesting Bill, and reported both measures with slight amendments. At midnight the Council adjourned till next day.