BY TELEGRAPH. FROM OUR PARLIAMENTARY KErOIITER. Wellington, July 13. Atkinson's scheme of local finance and local government, giving very extended powers to local bodies but still mainly depending on the ratepayeis for re venue, has hardly come up to the expec tations of the House, and the debate stands adjourned till Tuesday night to allow time to consider the position. The Licensing Bill was recommitted yesterday on several clauces. It was subsequently decided that unmarried females may hold licensss ; that a pub lican may hold an interest in more than one hotel; that clubs must pay a license tee, and be subject to police surveillance ; that bottle licenses be forbidden except is districts where they are now existing ; and that Colonial wine licenses be issued. The safety of the Bill is doubtful.
The Crown and Native Lands Hating Bill, introduced by Major Atkinson, provides that Native borough lands shall be rated under " The Bating Act, IS7G," and the value of other Crown and Native lands for the purposes of the new Act shall be fixed as follows: Crown town land and Nativo town land, at £3O per acre ; Crown and Nativo agricultural lands, at £1 per acre; Crown and Native pastora lands, at six and eightpence per acrel The rateable value for purposes of the Act to be deemed to be six pounds per centum per annum on values mentioned The fust.rates to be pay able for the year ending 31st March, 18S2. Tn the case of Native lands un der lease the tenant will be liable for the rales, and the Governor may, alany time, proclaim that in any district or portion thereof, Native lands shall be subject to Eating Act, 1876, and the owners held liable for payment of rates.
