POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, JufLy 8. ACCIDENTS COMPENSATION BILL.

Sir Joseph Ward is introducing the Accidents Compensation Bill, providing that any Judge of the Court in which proceedings to recover 'each compensation are taken, may order that the person injured be examined by one or more duly qualified medical practitioners name*! in the order, and not being witnesses on either side, and: may make such order with respect tp the costs of suoh examination as he thinks fit. If the person injured refuses to submit himself to such examination, or in aivy way obstructs the, same, his right to coinpsniation under any Act or law-shall be suspended, and all proceedings brought by Mm in respect of such compensation shall be stayed wnile such refusal continues. The Act shall ap>ly to the Grown and to Sverv department of the Public Servioe. Nothing in the Act shall affect the provisions of the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act, 1900. JOTTINGS. The appointment to the vacancy on the, Hansard staff was not made to-day as expected, but will be made during the week There are about six candidates for the position.

A rJill is to be introduced to meet a difficulty which has frequently been met with in the allocation of totalisator permits. The measure will give the Colonial Secretary power to issue a permit in a special case in excess of the number prescribed by the Act.

The election of Chairman of in the Legislative Council takes place tomorrow afternoon. The Hon. Messrs W. C. Smith and J. Rigg are'the candidates for the position. Mr Smith is the Govepiment nominee, and the Hon. Mr Rigg will receive the suT"M>rt. of the Labour section in the Council.