POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7505, 12 September 1902, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. THE ELECTORAL BILL. The second ballot met its fate early this morning. When the first of the "second ballot" clauses was reach&d in committee there were loud cries of " Vote, vote." A thunderous "No" was the response to the Chairman, not a solitary "Aye" being raised. A division was called for on the next clause dealing with the machinery for the second ballot, and this was struck out by 34 votes to 26. Having ruthlessly slaughtered the second ballot members went home to bed. The remaining clauses will be put through committee at to-day's sitting, and the Bill will- pass its final stages. THE LAND BILL. ' The Waste Lands Committee has concluded its deliberations with) respect to the amending Land Bill. Clause 27, which empowered the Government to make regulations for the burning of felled bush .on Crown and private lands, was struck out, the committee believing that any attempt to legislate on the subject would prove unsatisfactory. There wa&imuch discussion over the final clause in the Bill enabling the Land Board of Otago and Southland to make a revaluation of the Fomahaka and Beaumont Estates, and, though it, was decided to let the clause stand, the opinion was expressed that if it was passed into law it would lead to a demand for a reduction of rents from other settlements. THE STUD BILL. Another report by ihe Joint Stock Committee on the Stud Bill was presented to Parliament yesterday. Having carefully considered the report of the sub-committee which was set up to inquire as to. how best to give effect to the objects proposed to be achieved by the Stud Bill, the committee recommends that there should be forwarded to the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, the Farmers' Societies and the owners of the principal horse-breeding establishments in the colony copies of the Stud Bill and the evidence taken before the committee, and that those bodies and persons should be invited to forward to the Minister for Agriculture their views as to what legislation on the subject is desirable and practicable. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS ACT, The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill makes the Government subsidy payable on rates levied on Mai«ch 31, and) actually collected "by June *ne following year. Authority is given to Councils to* levy and recover sanitary rates. The provisions j of the main Act dealing with special lodais are repealed-, except that proceedings commenced prior to the passing of this Act may be completed. Where fifteen per cent of the rateipayers of adjoining boroughs petition for amalgamation-, at poll may be taken within sixty days. If it is declared) affirmatively the Governor may be petitioned to declare a united borough. lv event of tfae adoption or abolition of the ward* system, provision is made for the eleotion of a whole Council. New buildings in boroughs are required to ihava an open space of not less than 3QO superficial feet. Places of public worship are to be licensed, but no license fee is charged for buildings used exclusively for suoh. * purpose. ; '.