HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1103, 21 June 1882, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, June 19.

The following second statement of suggestions were made to the Ministers by the goldfields members : — The goldfields members recommend that the mining laws of the colony should be codified and made uniform throughout the Colony. In considering existing mining laws for the purpose of consolidation, the following matters should have special consideration: — 1. That all fees and charges, under the Act, should be uniform. 2. That the procedure in the administration and judicial departments of the Warden's Court should be simplified and shortened. 3. That the reduction of officers in the Mines Department has been carried too far, and additional officers should be appointed 4. That in the codification of mining law, the special facilities granted to applicants for agricultural leases, prospecting licenses, and mining leases, under the Land Act, 1877, in the provincial district of Nelson, should be retained. 5. That further provision be made for the draining of mines and adjacent claims to facilitate the working through of adjacent claims or leases. 6. That further provision be made for tunnelling through adjoining claims or leases should be alone granted in order to prevent the locking up of auriferous country. 7. That the cancellation of leases should in all ordinary cases be effected upon breach of covenants, and the procedure" should be simplified. 8. That cancellation should be so announced locally, as to give to the public an equal chance of taking up the ground subsequent thereto. 9. That the scale of fees should be revised, and that miner's rights, business licenses, and other charges should be lowered, unless the gold duty be abolished or materially reduced. 10. That rural land adjacent to mining township or mining claims should, where practicable, be reserved from sale, in order to provide commonage rights to the inhabitants. 11. That hearing and granting applications for rights authorised under the Mines Act, 1877, or regulations to be granted in cases where objections are lodged a right of rehearing should be given to either applicant or objector, such rehearing to be determined by the Warden sitting, with assessors, as provided in the Mines Acts, and the costs to be determined in like manner, as provided in the case of suits determined in the Warden's Court. 12. That in the case of reserves made under the provisions of the Public Works Act, where it is provided that such lands are auriferous, then, in such cases, the Warden should have jurisdiction over such reserves, in so far as granting such rights and determination of suits subject to the approval of the Minister for Public Works, as are contemplated and provided for by the Mines Act, 1877.

An influential committee meeting was held this morning, to consider the Government Licensing Amendment Bill, also Sutton's and Weston's proposed Amendments, also suggestions from the Wellington and Otago Licensed Victuallers. It was ultimately carried that Weston put the Committee's views into shape, and give notice in the House.

Caucuses on both sides are frequently being held, but the Opposition meetings have not resulted in unanimity ; Macandrew and Montgomery form one section, and Sir Goo. Grey the other. A desire has been expressed to form a Ministry of men who have not held office, but it is regarded as hopeless. General feeling is expressed by those who advocate the loan of £3,000 000, that it is not enough to complete the main lines.

The Nelson and West Coast members meeting, to consider allocation of loan, called yesterday, stands adjourned till Thursday.

Bills upon every possible subject are being introduced by private members

Committee meet to-morrow to consider the new Judicature Bills. A feeling is expressed that the Supreme Court Bill should be tried, but some think the Local Courts Bill, which will supersede the District and Resident Magistrates' Courts, should stand over for another year. The Native Reserve Bill is meeting with much opposition and strong feeling. There is a tendency to deprive Parliament of powers, and to shift them upon a few people in the capital. June 30.

In the House today Hutchinson "presented a petition signed by upwards of 1,000 persons, protesting against teaching skilled trades in prison. The petition was 25 feet long, and contained four columns of signatures. Seddon presented a petition Westland district protesting against the alleged unjustifiable proceedings of the Westland Education Board, and praying for relief by having that Educatiou district subdivided. The document was 30 feet long. Seddon moved that the petition be read, but his proposition met an emphatic and unanimous " No" Seddon persisted and thereupon ensued a debate which occupied more time than would have sufficed to enabled the document tdtse read from one end to the other. Ultimately the motion was agreed to and the petition was accordingly read. Fulton gave notice of motion to effect that the Education Act should l>e amended, to enable any Committee to introduce bible reading without comment in public schools (" No ") Shrimski asked leave to move without notice, that the adjournment of the House to enable members to visit the Exhibition at Christchurch take place on the 29th. Leave was refused.