POLITICAL NOTES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11646, 25 August 1905, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

(From our Parliamentary Special) {By Telegraph.) THE FIRE BRIGADTS BILL.

WELLINGTON, August 24,

Some indication of the course the Government propose? to take in connection with the Fire Brigades Bill may be gathered from amendments of which the minister in charge (The Hon. J. Carroll) has given notice to move Avhen the Bill is in Committee". In the first place, the 'definition of "fire district" is limited to the four centres. In regard to the revenue of the Fire Boards,; he proposes that instead of the. cost oiF the Brigade being 'paid by the insurance", companies and tlie local authority, the government shall pay otit'of'the' Consolidated Fund the amount it is liable for in respect to the rating and government buildings, and the remainder shall be paid half, by the; Insurance companies and 'half by the " local authority.,' The amount of the" rate is increased from three farthings to a penny, but in case there are no buildings on the property the rate will be reduced to one half that amount. Further, in districts where the system of rating is on the unimproved value the rate Avill Tbe levied on the value of the buildings and not on the value of the land.

FISHERIES CONSERVATION.

Acclimatisation Societies will be interested in the Fisheries Conservation Act Amendment Bill, which has been introduced Jn the House by the Colonial Secretary. It proposes that the Governor in Cotincil may make' regulations (a) for prohibiting" or restricting the sale during the close season' of any fish whether frozen or .chilled or not of a like species to any fish existing or acclimatised in the colony; (b) for the mode of keeping books or registers by carrying companies or proprietors or tenants of freezing chambers or forwarding agents, showing the receipt and delivery of all parcels containing fish, the inspection of such books by any fisheries oificer;' (c) for the inspection of freezing chambers and refrigerating works; (d) for prohibiting or regulating the export from the colony of trout, salmon, or any other acclimatised fish;^ (c). for. tjie constitution in any waters in Avhich salmon or trout exist of fish ladders or other means ,of ingress or egress .for fish so as to allow fish to pa.B^ and return at all times.