Legislative Council.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12583, 2 October 1908, Page 2

Legislative Council.

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October .. Tlic Council met at 2.30 p.m. MISCELLANEOUS.

The Naval Subsidy Bill, Advances to Scttlcts Act Amendment Bill, Imn-, Ration Restriction Act Amendment Bill were received from the Jjower Uoubo aud ro i:l a first time.

The Cl'ristchureh City Sanitation 7 1! was read a, third time and passejd. The Public Bodiss Leasing Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 8 was amended to ' provide that a imbl'C body need not accept the highest or any bid or tender for a lease, and that a iease offered atd not sold,, may, within ih--ec months, be sold by private contract at the iont at which it was offered, but thi3 way only be done in pursuance of a special resolution of the leasing "body. At clause 14 progress was reported. On tho motion of tjjte Attorncy-tfoupral the Education Reserves Leases "Validfi+ion .md Empowering Bill, which provides lcr the validation of certain leases granted by the Otago Schools Commissioners, and p npowers the Wellington School Commissioners to borrow JJ6OOO to discharge certain existing liabilities, was rpad a second time and put through Committee. It was reported unamended, read a third time, and passed. The Gore Public Library Vest'ng B:H was rea-1 a second time, put through C-un-mitUc, reported unamended, read a third time, aud passed. The Public Works Act Amendment iiill, which has already passed the Lower House, was read a second, time by 14 to 13.

NAVAL SUBSIDY BILL.

Dr. Findlay, in moving the second reading of the Na-val Subsidy Bill, eulogised the measure and the Premier's actio-i.

The Hon. Trask seconded the motion and also expressed gratification at the measure. The Hon. Rigg, in opposing the J3ill, said he would always oppose any \ncrcased subsidy to the British Navy so long as our own defences were not developed. He urged that some- form of marine d^ence should be organised for New Zealand. Tho Ijlons. Kelly, Baldey, 'and Callan supported, and the Hon. Paul opposed the Bill.

The second reading was agreed to by 23 to 3, the Hons. Barr, Paul, and R'gg voting against it. The Bill was put through Committee, unamc-rded, read a third time, aud passed. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. liU tomorrow.