JOTTINGS FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1179, 12 September 1885, Page 4

JOTTINGS FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

In the Legislative Council on Tuesday, the Employment of Females and Others Bill was amended so as to permit boys to be employed from one o'clock to six on Saturday afternoons in newspaper offices. The Mortgage and Debentures Bill was read a second time. A

CoiEmittee waa appointed to draw up reasons for Btill iDSisling upon the amendments of the Council on the Mines Bill, which had been disagreed to by the House of Representatives. The Rating Act and the Property Law Consolidation Bill were further considered in Committee and reported with amendments. The Justices of the Peace Act was read a second time. — In the House of Representatives, replying to questions, Mr Larnach said that the G-oTornment would place a sum on the Estimates fro «id prospecting and the discovery of new goldfields. Sir Julius Yogel said thafc a return giving details of the Property Tax would be made this year. Mr Stout said a bill would be introduced into the Upper House to amend the law in the direction of allowing borough councillors to supply goods across the counter in the ordinary way of business toborcugh authorities. Mr Richardson introduced a bill to make provision for the ratification of the rate on the Waimea Plains railway. Returns showing the cost of printing papers in connection with federation and education during the present year were agreed to. The Hous6 went into Committee on the Local Bodies Powers and Finance Bill. After a long debate, a number of clauses were struck out, and progress reported. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr Macandrew moved that a Royal Commission be. appointed to report upon the practicability of placing fcheaffaiis of the North and Middle Islands of New Zealand under different Legislatures, the recommendations of the Commission to be embodied in a bill next session. After one or two members had spoken, the motion to go into Committee of Supply was put and lost by 58 votes to 25. Captain Russell then moved that the Public Works Estimates he reduced by £500,000. Mr Macandrew's motion was put and lost on the voices. A long debate followed upon Captain Russell's motion and carried on till the rising of the House. The Legislative Council did not meet on Wednesday. — In the House of Representatives, Mr Tole introduced the Supreme Court Reporting Bill, and Mr Stout introduced a bill to amend the Municipal Corporations Act. The debate on Captain Russell's motion "-was resumed and kept up with spirit. "•Sit F. iWhitaker is to give evidence before the Petitions Committee on Sir J. Vogel's petition. "i Mr Downie Stewart asks the Government to-morrow whethar they will place on the Supplementary Estimates a bonus of £500 for the manufacture of 300 tons of cement; ' oV what encouragement' they will give for the manufacture of cement. The Hon. Mr Mantell is to move in the .^Legislative Council abolishing exemption in the Property Asessmeat Bill, a step which it appears the Groverrment have been afraid to take. The " Post " suggests a reduction of exemption to £100. ■ In the Legislative Council on 'Thursday, a motion moved by the Hon. Mr Mantell to the effect that it is desirable to abolish the ■'. £500 exemption of the Property Assessment Bill provoked considerable discussion. An flnTen.dment'by the Hon. Mr Shepherd providing that'the £500 exemption Le reduced instead of abolished was ckwie*} on ihe voices. — In the Housa 1 of Representatives, the debate on Captain 1 'Russell's motion was resumed, and carried on until 1.15 a.m. , when the House rose. • -

Cremation does not appear to be a grave subject. ' '"'