MEETING OF TOWN MEMBERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 173, 23 July 1889, Page 5

MEETING OF TOWN MEMBERS.

OMINOUS DEFECTION OF GOVERN-

MENT SUPPORTERS,

At a meeting of the town members this forenoon it was stated that Mr Humphreys, Sir George Grey, Messrs Withy, Ballance, and Ross, would speak to-night againsb fche Representation Bill, and also thab eleven former adherenbs of the Government had renounced their allegiance in consequence of the introduction of this measure, and would support a no-confidence motion if tabled by Mr Ballance.

OTEKAIKE RUN TROUBLE.

Replying to Mr Duncan on Friday, the Minister of Lands said the lease of runs--28 and2Ba, Otekaike, Otago, to Messrs Camp bell and Sons, was completed on June 21st, and the license had been issued because the Government had no power to interfere after the sale had taken place. Mr Duncan then moved the adjournment of fche House, and more than two hours were spenfc in discussion over the matter, sfcrong blame being casfc upon the Governmenb by Messrs Duncan, Cowan, J. McKenzie, Hutchison and other members for having allowed the runs to be leased for 21 years, instead of being reserved for settlement as small grazing runs, as petitioned for by residents of tbe district.

The explanation of the Minister of Lands was that the nighb before the land was put up at auction the Cabinet decided to withdraw the Otekaike sections from fche sale, until a report upon the land was received. Two cases had been under discussion, viz., runs 228 and 228 a, and 28 aod 28a. He sent off a telegram to the auctioneers, trusting to memory, and had no idea thafc the mistake had been mado until he received an urgent telegram from Dalgetty and Co., threatening a mandamus if runs 228 and 228 a were withdrawn.

The Hon. Mr Ballance, speaking in the course of the debate, said that the report of the Land Department was full of blunders. He found fault with the land administration of the present Government. The object of the Minister of Lands was, he said, to sell all the land as quickly as possible, and there was a great want of sympathy between the Department and everything pertaining to settlement.

The Premier, replying with some warmth, said Mr Ballance had given no proof of his assertions ; and he (the Premier) would believe in the accuracy of the returns until they wore disproved. The official figures showed that in no year since 1881 had there been so much settlement; as under, Mr Richardson's regime. After a little more discussion the subject dropped.

WANTED A MAP,

Tho city members think that the town party have not a complete understanding of whafc fche Representation Bill means to them. They wanted the Government, therefore, to havo a map prepared showing the portions of the colony affected by the Bill, the quota required from towns, and how the country electorates wero affected by the -measure. Mr Moss asked for this, but the Premier was very brief with him, saying the Government had no intention of preparing such a map—for ono thing, not having the required information.

THE AGNEWS.

The members of the General Assembly are to be congratulated upon the fact ■ that for a while, at any rate, they will be free from the importunities of those social Southern pests, the Agnews. On Saturday last, the persistent couple waited on Inspector Thomson, representing that they were without a penny, and begged him to use his good offices in obtaining passages for bhem fco Dunedin. Subsequently, Inspector Thomson obtained a requisition from the Government to the Union Steamship Company to pass them, per steerage,* to Dunedin, for which place they left per s.s. Ringarooma on Saturday. The Agnews, on landing, will be passed to their old holding, which tho Government has agreed they shall be permitted to reside upon and work ; but a.s to ths precise terms on which the privilege has been granted nothing has transpired.

THE VACANT SEAT.

It is rumoured in the lobbies thafc considerable pressuro is being put on Ministers to fill up the vacant seat) in bhe Cabinet, and ifc is by no means improbable that within the nexb few days ifc will bo offered to the Hon. Sir John Hall. Opinions are divided as to whether this addition would really strengthen fche Ministry in fche House, where at present it is most deplorably weak. The report is, of course, denied.

THE CHEMIS CASE,

I understand thab bhe Chemis case was before bhe Cabinob this morning. Ab any rabe the Ministers proceeded to the scene of the murder yesterday afternoon to visit the surroundings. ,

DEVONPORT BOROUGH RESERVE

Mr M. Niccol has had a very satisfactory interview with the Minister of Lands respecting certain Devonport borough reserves. The matter is to be put in writing when Mr Niccol returns, and will again como under the consideration ot the Government.

CONVERSION OF DEBENTURES,

With reference to the proposed conversion of New Zealand debentures into 3£ per cent, new inscribed stock, ib was reported last nighb that an eminent) firm of London bankers had offered to undertake fche operation if the Bank of England made any difficulty about it.

ASSISTANT COMPTROLLERGENERAL.

Mr C. T. Bafckin, Assistanb ComptrollerGeneral, is desirous .of retiring shortly on his pension, and it is rumoured that the vacant appointmenb may possibly be conferred on Mr C. Y. O'Connor, Under-Secretary for Public Works.

THE VOLUNTEER SCANDAL,

The Defence Minister has not had the Mercer scandal inquiry under his consideration yet. Colonel Hume only returned on Sunday. Mr Fergus tells me that tho inquiry being private, he does not consider it a correct thing to publish the evidence, but will give the matter hia careful consideration before declining to do so.