PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1853, 5 July 1886, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(FBCH OCR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) ■KILL BIRDS. On Thursday in the Legislative Council, the Small Birds Nuisance Bill was thrown out on the motion fur its second reading. LIIFBAB V INSTITUTION. On Thursday in the Bouse of Representatives Sir George Grey asked the Government, If they would tike steps to aid iu the establishment. iu Wellington, of an institution for the use of young men, at which they coaid follow literary pursuits, or study to qualify themselves for professions iu New Zealand ? The Premier said allusion was made in the Education Statement to the necessity for a University College at Wellington, and that, he, thought, would meet the question. Providing a room, he said, was not enough ; if it waa, the young men could prosecute their studies.at home. The assistance of professors and tutors was necetsary. The Bouse would he naked to consider tue expediency of establishing a university at Wellington. Be offered to communicate with the Education Beard with the view of obtaining the use of schoolrooms. KDUCATIONAL FBANCHISK BILL. This Bill was read a second time. ’ DOG BX6UIBATION BILL —AN AMUSING DEBATE. The Boose went into Committee on this Bill. A danse providing that the registration fee may be increased to 20 shillings was adopted. Mr Seddon suggastei a proviso to the effect that the tax ahonld not exceed 10s on sheep, cattle, and rabbit dogs. This was agreed to. Major Steward moved a new danse to the effect that the local authorities ahonld have power to fix tees tot different classes of dogs, not exceeding 20s A long and desultory debate discussion followed. Mr Haknene said bis heart waa as dark over this Bill as it was when he first heard of the eruptions at Tarawera. There waa a Maori proverb which aaid that the importance of a village was estimated by the number of dogs in it to welcome visitors. He warned the “ parent of the Bill" (Mr McMillan) that whenever he entered a Maori Tillage the dogs would bark at him. The Premier said the suggested amendment of Mr Soddon (which was accepted by Mr MeMillan) would meet the views of the Native members. The opposition waa not to this Bill, bat to the Eight Boars Bill that was to come on. Mr Bnrstbonse said the bon member for Franklin North (Mr W. F. Backland) was at the bottom of the opposition. The bon member kept 30 or 40 sporting dogs, and be had one in Wellington the other day, on which he aaid “ he stood to win £7so.’* Yet be objected to paying a pound for that dog. Mr W. F. Bnekland said he was perfectly willing to pay the tax as far as be was concerned.

The discussion continued at great length, bat ultimately progress wae reported, and the Home adjourned at 12 50, leaving “ The Dog Bill ” pretty much ae they had found it at first. MABTINIHENRY RIFLBB. In the House of Representatives on Friday, in answer to Mr W. F. Rockland, the Defence Minister said the Government had ordered 2000 Martmi-Enfield Rifles, bat were only able to get 500 within six months, which woold be distributed first among the best shots. KEHMADEC ISLANDS. The Premier moved, That LI is Excellency’s message be taken into consideration, and that a respect in 1 address be presented to Her Majesty the Queen, praying that the Kerniadec Islands may be annexed to New Zealand. This was agreed to. bOBOL'OH OFFICIALS. Mr Fisher moved, That the Government be requested te obtain and lay before this House, early next session, a return showing the cum bet of officers composing the office staff of each Borough Council in the colony for the year 1886-87. Carried. NATIVE LANDS ADMINISTRATION BILL. The Native Lands Administration Bill was put through committee, all attacks upon its provisions being defeated by large major!ties. This scores another point to the Government, of whose policy this measure was deemed by many one of the points most accessible to assault midland railway bill. On this bill being reported from the Committee of the Whole, a sharp debate arose, which continued with much acerbity to an early hour on Saturday. Some telling speeches w«ie made against the Bill, but the third reading was Mined by 36 to 13 votea. The House rose at 2.15.