LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11727, 3 September 1902, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 2. The Council met at 2.30. On the motion of Hon. Twomey, it was decided that the Government be requested to intimate taf the Official Assignee of Dunedin that it is desirable) that ail books and records connected with the liquidation of the Colonial Bank should be pro served, as they may be re-quired by the Public Petitions Committee next session ir\ considering the petition of the Bank's shareholders. The Habeas Corpus Extension Bill was read a third time. The Land and Deeds Registration of District?! Bill was read a second time. The Local Authorities Indemnity Bill was passed through Cbtamittee without amendment, and put) through its final stages. In Committee on the Second-hand Dealers Bill, the provision making it necessary for every applicant for a license to be rccomended by three householders was struck out. On the Hon. Lee-Smith's motion), it was decided to make the license fee 55., instead of 10s. . A proposal to strike out clause 8, providing for the keetping of a register of articles bought, sold, or exchanged, was lost by 20 to 5. • A proposal by the Hon. Jenkinson tomake the maximum penalty £20, instead of £5, was rejected by 21 to 6. Clauses 13, 15, and 16 were struck out on the motion of the Minister of Education, with a view ta substituting two new clauses providing that a- Court may, in its discretion, order goods unlawfully sold or exchanged to be delivered up to the owner, either with or without compensation to the person to whom the goods1 were unlawfully sold, and providing further that tilna Minister of Justice may exempt ipsrscois from the provisions of the Act if .•latisfied that the provisions should not apply to them. Several members took exception to this power being given to any Minister, and the Hon. Bowen moved an amendment to make the power apply only to a "class of persons." After debate, the Minister agreed to report progress, with a view to consulting with-the Minister of Justice on the point. •--•> The Council rose at 4.45 p.m.