JOTTINGS FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1177, 5 September 1885, Page 3

JOTTINGS FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

In the Legislative Council on Tuesday, Captain Morns moved for a Committee to inquire into, the question of party Government, which he considered a failure in this Colony. Dr Pollen moied the previous queition, which was carried, when the motion wai allowed to lapie. The Presbyterian Church Property Bill wm pasted. Dr Menzies moved that in establishing a syitem of relief for the aged and indigent poor, it it expedient that it thould be conducted by boards elected by contributors, and that the funds to be administered thould be derived from endowments, voluntary contributions, legacies, and iubiidiei from the State, but that no ipecial

rate shall be levied for this purpose. The debate was adjourned till next day. The Bankruptcy Amendment Bill, the Mines Amendment Bill, and the Property Bill were considered in Committee and reported with amendments. — In the House of Representatives, replying to queilions, Mr Tole said that all the removals of wardens had been made that could be done in the interests of the C«lony. Mr Billance said there would be no difficulty in supplying volunteers with ammunition at cost price. Several new bills were introduced. M? Holmes moved for a return showing the liabilities on August 31st, 1885, on the several railway lines of the Colony. Agreed to. Mr G-uiness moved for a return showing the number of documents stamped at the Stamp Office during 1883-4 and the duties paid on doouments. Agreed to. The Auckland Land Compensation Bill was read a second time. The Mortgage Debentures Bill was passed. Mr Tole moved the second reading of the Criminal Code Bill Ihe debate was postponed to enable another order of the day to be brought on. Mr Levestam moved that the amendment made by the Legislative Council in the Employment of Females BUI, allowing females and i young persons in newspaper offices to work j till 7 p.m, on Saturdays, be agreed to. Mr Bradshaw moved as an amendment that the hour be 4.30, which was oarried, and a Committee appointed to draw up a resolution disagreeing with the Council's amendment. Mr Tyke resumed the debate on the Criminal Hode Bill, the second reading of which was carried on the voices. The Bating Bill was considered in Committee and passed with amendments. Mr Stout moved the re-com-mittal of the Land Transfer Bill, which was further amended and passed. Replying to Major Atkinson, Mr Stout said he hoped to be able to get through all the bills on the order paper by the end of next week. He would ask the Souse to sit on Saturday for consi eration of the federation resolutions. Mr Stout moved the second reading of the Property Assessment Bill, which after considerable debate was agreed to. In the Legislative Council on Wednesday, the report of the joint Committee on the Codlin Moth was agreed to. The adjourned debate on the second reading of the Legislative Council Eeform Bill was resumed. Mr Mantell moved the previous question, which, was negatived by 21 votes to 18, and the second reading was oarried by 22 votes to 17. The Council went into Committee on the Mining Companies Bill, which was reported with amendments. The third reading of the ! Bankruptcy Amendment Bill was agreed to, and the Mines Amendment Biil was com* mined and reported with amendments, — In the House of B>epteß«xitfttive», xeplyiDg ko questions, Mr Richardson said that quite enough of concessions had been made fco agricultural associations already. The Friendly Societies Bill (No. 2) was discharged from the order paper. The House weat into Committee on the Auckland Railway Land Compensation Bill, whioh passed without amendment. The Counties Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee. A number of amendments were added, and progress re' ported. The House went into Committee on the Property Tax Assessment Bill. Several of the more important clauses were postponed, and the remaining clauses passed without material alteration. The Auckland Railway Land Compensation Bill was read a third time and passed. In the Legislative Council on Thursday, the Charitable Aid Bill was committed, reported with amendments, and ordered to be re-committed. The Land Bill was read a second time. — In the Bouse of Representatives, Mr Stout gave notice that he would move that at its rising next day the House should adjourn till Saturday, at 2.30 p.m. , to discuss the federation resolutions. Several members objected to sitting on Saturday, when the Premier promised to inform the House next day of his decision. The House went into Committee on the Auckland Harbor Board Bill. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. On the House resuming, the Property Assessment Bill was considered in Committee, and the schedule of the bill as amended was agreed to. The Counties Amendment BiU was further considered in Committee, reported, read a third time and passed. The Property Assessment Bill was reported and passed. The Gold Duty Abolition Bill was read a second time.