PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 199, 22 August 1900, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(By Telegraph. ■r-Parliamenlary Reporter.)

-WELLINGTON, this day OSTRICH FARM.

In the House yesterday afternoon Mr Massey asked whether the Government will encourage ostrich farming in New Zealand by setting apart blocks of land suitable for the purpose, and leasing blocks .conditionally upon their being used for ostrich farming at a peppercorn rent for 21 years, with a right of purchase at the end of that The Minister for Lands said it would be necessary first to pass special 'legislation on the subject, and he would like to have further information on tne subject before taking any steps in the matter. He was aware that land ot very little use for other purposes might be utilised for ostrich farming, and during the recess he would obtain information as to whether it would be expedient to introduce legislation. PENNY POSTAGE SYSTEM.

Mr Hogg asked the PostmasterGeneral whether he will celebrate the commencement of a new century by introducing a penny postal rate within

the' colony. i Mr Ward said the penny postage would apply to places outside the colony as Well as within it.'The legislation.passed in 1889 applied to the colony only, but power was given to the Governor to extend the system beyond the colony whenever he chose to do bio. For the information of the House he might mention that he had received inquiries and congratulatory messages from the Postmaster-General in London/ from Pietermaritzburg, and the Governor-General of India.

EXCURSION TICKETS TO EOTOEUA.

Mr Bollard asked whether the Minister for Railways will issue tickets from Auckland to Rotorua .'or Te Aroha at excursion rates for fourteen days, say in the middle of April in each year, in. order to give an opportunity, to shopkeepers in a small way and others who are unable from the nature of their business'■ to take advantage of such.tickets now.issued during the. regular holidays. ■ The Minister for Eailways said excursion tickets were issued on the regular holidays and other occasions, and the Department found it impracticable to make further concessions. Under the circumstances he ciould not see his way to grant the request. , WAIHI SWAMP ROAD. ■ Mr Herries asked the Minister for Lands whether he will make provision in the Estimates for the formation of a road across the Waihi swamp between Maketu and Pungakawa, in order to open up about^loo,ooo acres of Crown lands now lying idle. The Minister for Lands said several thousands of pounds would be required to complete works suggested, and he would need to know more about the matter before he could recommend the expenditure of such a large amount. He wtould inquire into the subject dur- ■ ing the recess.' FREE BEDS AT ROTORUAMr Guinness asked whether tlie Government will cause additional accomodation to be provided,at the Rbtorua 'sanatorium so that at least six additional beds can be provided. ■ ' The Colonial Secretary did not see* „ his way: to comply with the requests. THE ATTORNEY GENERALSHIP. -M> ..•/In reply to'Mr G. W. Russell (Riccar- ' ton) the Colonial Secretary said that ■When the Government decided upon appointing a MimVfcer to the office of Attorney General the hon. member •would t be advised with others of, the fact. ■ THE NORTH TRUNK RAILWAY. Mr Massey will ask the Minister for Public Works whether he intends, at B,n early date, to commence work on the section of the North Island Trunk Railway from Kakakawa to Taumara/nui? ' '■'.'.■. . '' ..■'..' " fj \': J ■ PETITIONS. The 1 oHowing reports, from committees were laid on the table of the House to-day :-r- ; A. White, praying for relief in connection with certain sections of Crown lands taken from hjm. Referred to the ; Waste Lands Committee. ,

ft. H. j Caitchem and others, praying that uncertificated masters be not permitted to command vessels trading between Auckland and Whangarei. No. recojn'meiulq.tioir. ~ . .;;

; The following petitions were presented to the House yesterday: — • i?rom Campbell, Johnstone, and 'other settlers of Raglan County, "praying for an inquiry before a Stipendiary Magistrate into the conduct of Constable Tapp. ' '•',' ■ v IVom E. E. Badley, Tpkahui,. Mon.gqnui, praying for a refund to certain expensea incurred*. '..'.,' ■ .-. '.■' >\- .'; From [ .settlers Tbkahui district, praying for a grant in aid of completing a portion of, the Tokahui Broadwood, Bpad. , .'FrpnijiT, W. Smith and" other farmi ere, prayingl that some arrangement Ibe mad.c whereby money-for expenditure Qn roads, etc., be made available ! for the spring instead of the 'winter jnonthsj that future Government stfb* Sidles in. each, county be equivalent to the amount thje Crown.laiids;within . the boundaries of such counties would loe reqii^ed to pay in taxation if taxable; and that the opening of native and Crow» lands for settlement be facilitated. '';'"\ $"; From Kussell Bates, of Kaiiwi, Auckland 'provincial district^ witbwref ereitce'td a land claim. :ii; ' ■; From residents in ipargavllle and adjacent distrlcta, praying , that, a Telegraph and Post Office be erected ma more.central position. _ ■;■;,-