THE REFERENDUM BILL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7154, 19 July 1901, Page 3

THE REFERENDUM BILL.

' On the motion that the amendments made in committee in the Referendum- Bill should "be adopted,' Mr Pirani moved as an amendment, thdj the Bill should be recommitted, for the purpose of considering the' new clause to provide that polling on questions referred to a referendum, should be conducted through the post. The ißight Hon R. J. Seddon opposed the proposal, on the ground that it would be an" interference with the secrecy of the 'ballot.

A long debate ensued

Several speakers contended that the Reiferendum> Bill was not the proper place for Mr Pfraiii's suggested amendment. It should be inserted in the Electoral Act. ;

Eventually the amendment was rejected by 44 votes to 13, and the amendments made in the Bill in committee were agreed to on the voices. The Bill then passed its final stages. POLICE OFFENCES* 'Z ., ,

The Police Offences Amendment Bill was /cad a thirH time: ' aii3 ipajs^efl^ ::■--.'. ....... . ; The House rose at 12.45 p.m.

THE COUNTIES CONFERENCE.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 18.

The Counties Conference spent considerable time considering part 25 of <>he Bill, giving County Councils tributary powers jfor dealing with roads, and their construction and maintenance, outside the Public Works Act. Several clauses which were considered too stringent were struck out. The chief question was how town districts and rural districts would be respectively affected by certain clauses referring to the cutting up of land into allotments and roading it. Section 200, providing that in certain cases the Government may declare : a road in a borough to be a county road, was struck out. The Conference 'was unanimous on this point. The Conference also resolved to strike out Clause 220, making County Councillors liable to penalties for the laying out of roads of less than the Ideal width! WELLINGTON, July 19. At the Counties Conference to-day, amongst other, amendments to tie Bill, this morning it was agreed that power should be secured 1 to compel owners of land: to have bush felled within' a chain of the boundaries of roads, where it involves danger to the road or tor the travelling, pubKc. A proposal to strike out the provision for toll-gates on roads was negatived, but funeral processions were exempted from tolls. Piggerie9 were not included in the list of general nuisances. It was decided that counties should; be given the game .powers as borcaighs in regard to nuisances, .