PARLIAMNET.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3897, 26 July 1873, Page 2

PARLIAMNET.

Tha Hon Spbxibe took "^e chair at two o'clocfct v " v "XWASTB SANDS OB THB OEOWK. The Hon Mr WATEEHOUSE moved that a seleot committee, to. consist of nine mem* bers, inclusive of, the mover, be appointed by ballot, to consider all bills rhafc maybe introdnoed into the Council affecting the waste lands of the Grown, with power to confer with any similar committee appointed by the Hoase of Representatives, and to report generally upon the provisions and principles of su,oh bill** The following are the names of the members, appointed : — The Hon Messrs Rhodes, Dr Pollen, M'Lean, Captain Baillie, Captain Fraser, Major Richmond, Messrs Sootland ( Sewell, and Waterhouse. .. STTIiMTAN's MTTHDBB. 4 The Hon Mr SEWELL moved that therabe laid on the table of the Council copies of all papers in possession or under the control of the Governor, including the proceedings of Native Lands Courts, relative to the title of the block of land upon whi«h the reoent murder of Sullivan occurred, and to the proceed* ings taken by the Government in reference to the apprehension of the alleged murderer* He hoped the papers would be produced at the earliest possible period.' They could not discuss the matter until the whole of the oorrespbri'denee was laid before them. The lion Dr POLLEN said he understood the Government had no objection to the pro* duction of the eorrespondenoe, the Govern* ment, of oourae, keeping back such papers as> it contidered necessary for the interests of the colony. He thought the correspondence of Mr Maokay, who was the Government agent in the matter, would embraoe all that was de~ aired, and it would in all probability be printed and laid on the table of the Oounoil in a few days. He hoped,, with this assurance, the hon gentleman would withdraw bis motion. The motion was withdrawn. ASSAULTS OK CONSTABLES BILE, The Hon Dr POLLEN said that according to the. present law persona guilty of assault* on constables were liable to imprisonment for any period not exceeding two years, and suobx oases could only be dealt with by the Supreme Court. The object of the ..present bill was to give one resident magistrate or two justices of the peace power to dealin a summary manner with those cases which were not of an aggravated nature, and which it was found inconvenient to send to the higher court; It was not intended that the bill should affect; offenoes of a serious character. It was intended forthe immediate arrest and trial of offenders whose offences were not of an aggravated nature. The bill was read a second .time. MUNIOIPAX COHPOEATIOIfS WATKBWOBKS AOX" AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon Dr POLLEN said that b&the Act of 1872 power was. only given to Municipal Corporations to borrow money for thirty yearsIn praotice this was found to be highly inconvenient, and the corporations of, two of the' most. important towns of. the colony—Auoklaud and Dunedin — had requested that the period of the currency of .the debenture* should be extended. It w«s found that the longer the time was extended the more cheaply the money could be procured. The* was nodoubt that a similar difficulty would arise in. other, parts of the colony. The Hon Mr WATERHOUSE "was of opinion tliat there could be no objeotioa whatever to this bill. He had no doubt but that it would greatly benefit the interests «f the corporations throughout the colony. He would like to see the matter, however, referred 1 to a Committee, and let it stand over for some time. ' There was already another Amendment Bill oh the same Act to come before the Ooanoil this session ; and in all likelihood there 1 would bi» 'one or two more. It was very inconvenient that there should be more than one Amendment Bill to an Act in any one session. It would be better that all amendments' should be embraced in one* •ill. The bill was read a second time. BANK HOLIDAYS BILL, This bill was further considered in oommit- • tee, progress was reported, and the third read* ing fixed for Tuesday next. ADJOURNMENT OT OOUNOIL. The Hon Captain FSASER moved that the. Oounoil adjourn until Friday next. There was really no important business before the Council ; and hon gentlemen wanted time toMgnaider the financial statement, which, would perhaps be. the 'most important measure ever introduced into the Legislature. The Hon Dr POLLEN hoped the hon gen* tleman would withdraw his .motion. There was one important measure whioh.it. was do* oirable to consider at once, and there would be likely other important business oome beforethe Oounoil before the date mentioned for adjournment. The motion was withdrawn. The Council adjourned at 8.10 p.m. until; Tuesday at 2 p.m.