GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 773, 6 October 1900, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. YESTERDAY. Thk Council met at '2,30 p.m. PURCHASE OF RAILWAY TICKETS. Replying to Colonel Pitt, Llie Minister for Education said he thought the Riitway Department would be prepared to do somethiug in the direction of enabling the Government railway tickets to be purchased at. post-offices in the four chief centres and secondary towns through which the railway runs. FIBST HEADINGS. The Pacific Cable and Electoral Act Amendment Bills were read a first time. IMPRISONMENT FOK DEBT. The report of the Conference on the amendments in the Imprisonment for Debt Limitation Bill was laid on the table, and it was decided to consider it on Monday. MUNICIPAL CORPORATION BILL. In Committee on the Municipal Corporation Bill, the following amendments were made in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee. Clause 9, to provide that Mayors in office on the passing of the Act shall remain until a successor is elected under the Act. Clause 48, Council of an uudivided borough of not less than six or more than twelve members, divided borough of not less than six or more than ten. Clause 182, power for the Council to appoint a medical officer, was withdrawn.

Ijub-clause added to Clause 96, that not less than one-third of the total amount of the general rates levied in aDy ward shall be expended therein.

New clause, 100 a : Every separate rate levied within any ward shall be subject to the deduction of so much as the Council may think fit to defray the expense ot levying and supervision and clerical work necessary for the expenditure thereof, the amount deducted going to the ordinary revenue of the Borough and the remainder of the separate rate being expended in the ward. Clause 101: Water rates levied on land and buildings to which water is uot supplied at more than ten shillings per annum where the rateable value does not exceed £l2 10s and not more than seven per cent on the first hundred pounds where the value exceeds £l2 10s, six per cent, on the second hundred, five per cent, on the third hundred, and four per cent over three hundred. Clause 45, providing for the repayment of the loan aud sinking fund was made optional. New sub-clause to Clause 174 that where th'e petition for constitution of the borough has, been unsuccessful, no similar petition can be presented for two yeeJrs. Sub-clause to Clause 176, petitions for the uuion of contiguous boroughs can only be presented after a poll similar to the loan poll has been taken in both boroughs simultaneously. The majority of votes recorded to carry the proposal in each borough. New clause, 232 a : Ou fulfilment by owners of land of requirements of the Couuctl and Act, every private street shall be declared a public street. New clause, 233 a : On the application of the Council the'Covevnor may permit a private street less than 6ft. wide, under exceptional circumstances, to be declared a public street. Sub-clause to clause 237 : If the land set apart for a street is not required, the Council may apply it to any purpose of public convenience and utility approved by the Governor, or grant a lease for the same. Clause 315: Annual inspection of buildings for provision and means of escape in ease of fire is not compulsory, The Bill was subsequently reported. BILL PASSED.

The New Zealand Consols Act Amendment, Midland Authorised Area Land Settlement, Fisheries Encouragemeut, Rotorua Town Council, West Coast Settlement Reserves Bills passed their final stages. The Council rose at 9.45 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. DECEASED HUSBAND'S BKOTHER BILL. The Deceased Husbands Brother Marriage Bill was notified by the Governor's message, passed by the Council, and reserved for the Queen's assent. COMMANDEE-IN-CHIEF. Mr Seddon read a copy of a cable sent to Lord Roberts congratulating him upon being appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British forces, and expressing a hope that ere long the position would apply to all military forces of the Empire. A reply was read from Lord Roberts thanking the Government for its congratulations. IMPRISONMENT FOB DEBT. The Premier moved that the report of the managers on the amendments made by the Council in the Imprisonment for Debt Limilatiou Bill be agreed to. Mr Tanner moved the adjournment of the debate to enable the amendments to be printed and studied by the members. The Premier agreed, and the debate was adjourned accordingly. The report of the conference on amendments made in the Imprisonment for Debt Limitation Bill was agreed to. OLD SObDIEES CLAIMS. The Petitions Committee reported upon the claims of a number of old soldiers to pensions, recommending that further enquiry be made into the claims. X'OMOHAKA EJECTMENTS. In reply to Mr J. VV. Thomson, Mr Duncan said he was in communication with the Land Commissioner at Dunediu on the subject of the alleged ejectments of settlers from the Pomohaka Estate. He hoped to be able to make a statement on the subject on Tuesday. In the meantime the Bottlers would not be disturbed. FEDERATION. The Premier gave notice to set up a Commission to enquire into the question of federation with Australia, and in reply to Capt. Russell said the debate on the subject would probably be taken that day fortnight. ANNEXATION. Replying to Capt. Russell, who asked what officers he intends to appoint and what course he intends to take to ensure the proper government of the South Sea Islands proposed to be annexed to this colony, the Premier said it would not be necessary to appoint officers to govern the islands, which would have a system of local self-government and would be more than self supporting. QUESTIONS. In reply to other questions, the Ministers said it was proposed to take the census of the colony on the 31st March next. That there wus a vote on the Estimates for a section of railway from Heriot towards Eoxburp, which would serve either for the Moa Plat or Jlae's junction route, according as either was adopted. BILLS PASSED. The Foreign Insurance Companies Deposits Bill was read a second time in Committee, read a third time and passed. The Civil Service Examination Bill aud Manual aud Technical Instruction Bills was passed through Committee. The Private Industrial Schools Inspection and Industrial School Act Amendment, Bill was alao passed through Committee, read a third time aud paEßed, an amendment being made abolishing Private Industrial Schools as far aB the Act was concerned, The Foreign Insurance Companies Deposits and Manual aud Technical Instruction Civil Service Examination passed their final starts, aud the Houeb ro'Eo ut 6.40 a.m.