POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 194, 16 August 1889, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

{BY TELEGHAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER.)

Wellington, this day. LENGTH OF THE SESSION, t AM given to understand that, as soon as the Property Tax Assessment Act Amend" ment Bill has been finished with, the Government will drop as many moasurcs as they possibly can, including the Charitable Aid Bill, and other measures introduced with a flourish of trumpets early iri the session. The Estimates will then bo rushed through as rapidly as possible, and members dismissed to their homes. This agrees with what the Premie,? said to me the other evening, and presages a comparatively early close to the session. We have now entered pn our ninth week, and it is not probable that the session will last over the twelfth Week. AUCKLAND VISITORS. Mr George Holdship, having concluded his Southern business,-has been in Wellington for the past couple of days, and returns to Auckland by the Manapouri this even--25$ I am led to believe that he has been Interesting himself while here with reference to the disputed-, five miles limit of the Thames Harbour Board. ■ Mr Bagnall, of tho Thames, is coming down here on the same subject. Mr R. C. Barstow is here on private business, not unconnected with the Kaihu Valley Railway, I understand. . COLLECTING CUSTOMS REVENUE. ■ The average cost of collecting Customs tevenue last year was £119 a 2d per cent., against £2 10s 6d the previous year. The cost at the principal ports was as follows : -—Wellington, £1 14s 8d ocr cent. ; Christchurch and Lyttelton, £1 17s 3d ; Auckland, £1 17s. 4d; Dunedin, £1 10s Bd. The most expensive places were : ■ Russell, £15 12s lid per cent. ; Picton, £11 la 6d ; v and New Plymouth, £7 10s 3d. , STAMPS AND POSTCARDS. It has frequently been suggested that the Government should assist the revenue of the colony by leasing the right of advertising upon the stamps aad postcards of the colony. Dr. iNewman has given notice to ask the Premier if ha will do this. OUR CUSTOMS EXPERT. Mr Joyce is to move for a return of salary> travelling and other expenses paid to Mr G. V. Shannon since his appointment as an expert to tho Customs Department; also the amount, if any, obtained by the Government resulting from his discovery of frauds under the separate heads of drapery, ironmongery, furniture, and musical instruments, and tho costs and charges which Government are liable to pay in the prosecution of such frauds. THE REPRESENTATION BILL. At last this important measure has been uono with. Aftur a very stormy passage in the Lower Chamber it safely reached the LegislativeCounoil, and yesterday itreceived the assent of that Chamber. It was feared b yits eupportei-3 that the Council would eliecfc same amendments in it a'hd that when it returned to the House of Representatives « might either be mutilated or else killed. v> hen the adjourned debato on the Bill Was resumed yesterday Dr. Pollen expressed the opinion that before the Bill was introduced the country people had quite a fair proportion of representation, and he failed to see why they should now wish for a Rieater proportion. Sir G. Whitmore would any proposition for crossing a t or clotting an i in the Bill, as he believed if the oiU was in the slightest degree altered the country would see no more of it, and this he ._ maintained would bo a public calamity, R n, r Ql iver wanted to know how the subdivision of electoral boundaries was w be effected, This was satisfactorily explained, by the Attcrney.Qeneral. Unaideiabie dteoussion ensued on the

"one man one vote " clause. The Council divided ou tho question of including it, with tneresult: Ayes, 17; noes, 11. Thus the clause* was carried.

The following is the division list:—Ayes : iuessrs Acltind, Barnicoat, Campbell, Dignan, Frasei, -Kenny, Lahman, Martin, Noma, Scotland,. Shepherd, Shrimski, bteven?, Wrigley and Wilson ; SirG. Whitmore and Sir F. Whibaker. Noea : Messrs Hart, Mantell, McLean, Miller, Oliver, Pharazyn, Pollen, Reeves, Reynolds, Swanson and Walker.

_ When considering the amalgamation f bf city electorates, the Hon. Mr Swanson strongly opposed it, and declared that if passed it should be made optional for tho cities, as he waa sure Auckland did not want it. The Bill wa3 then reported without amendment.

On the motion for tho third reading the Hon. Mr Oliver moved as an amendment to recommit the Bill, with a view to move an amendment having for its effect that no person shall have tho privilege of exercising the franchise if six months before any election he should have received charitable aid. This was, however, lost by 17 to 12. The third reading was .then agreed to, and the Bill uassed.