PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 204, 28 August 1902, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(By TeleKraph-^Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day. AN INTERESTING CLAIM.

The easts of young1 Glover, who broke his arm while playing: football while an apprentice in the Newmarket railway workshops, is an interesting, one. Mr A. E. Glover, father of the boy, claims compensation from the department on the ground that the boy was sent from the workshops on a fera gathering expedition while he should have been learning his trade as a blacksmith. The committee to whom the petition was referred having reported adversely, Mr Witheford moved yesterdaj to send the report back for reconsideration on the ground that the petitioner had had no opportunity of replying to these statements made iby the officers of the Railway Depariment. The foreman of works had stated that young Glover was skylarking when he fell and fractured his arm; also that Glovei* was able •to use his free arm, and was consequently not incapacitated from blacksmithing or any other trade, as was alleged. ; Lengthy discussion was anticipated,1 but was checked by the Minister of Railways agreeing to Mr Witheford's motion. The facts just related, he oaid, had not previously come under his notice, and they should be considered. The case of a boy so seriously hurt while in Government employ should have every consideration. The motion for reconsideration of the petition was agreed to. AUCKLAND-PENROSE RAILWAY. The railway traffic between Auckland and Penrose, said Sir Joseph Ward, in reply to Mr Bollard yesterday, is probably the most congested in the colony. He had previously started that whenever it was possible to duplicate that line it would be the first we V of the kind that would be done in the colony. The Government, however, are at present not in a position to undertake it, but when the time arrives the Government, as a matter of business, will take into consideration Mr Bollard's suggestion. ATTACK ON THE BOOKIES. "What steps does the Colonial Secretary propose taking to enable racing clubs to expel bookmakers and spielers from all racecourses?" asked Mr Tom Mackenzie in the HoTise yesterday afternoon. Certain clubs, "he explained, now have that power, but where a racecourse is on a public domain it is impossible for racing clubs to order "bookies" off the course. They go on the course in excessive numbers, Baid Mr Mackenze, use objectionable language, and interfere with the success of the meeting. Th« Acting-Premier, in reply, said the law as it stands does not permit interference by the Government, but a Bill would shortly come before the House that would afford members an opportunity of expressing their opinions on the question. As to the necessity for legislation of this kind a great' principle was involved, and the subject required careful consideration. v~ '■ THE MORTGAGE TAX. When the Land Tax and Income Tax Bill was brought before the House by Governor's message yesterday afternoon Mr Massey asked if it was merely the usual sessional machinery measure of whether it contained any fresh provision. The Acting-Premier said it was the usual Bill, but it also contained a concession which had been promised in the Financial Statement, reducing the mortgage tax. The reduction proposed was from one- penny to three farthings, representing a concession of £25,000. In a short discussion which followed some of the speakers questioned the wiisdom of reducing the tax, whereupon Mr T. Mackenzie expressed himself very decisively to the contrary. "But you are a money lender, interjected Mr Monk. "I am neither more of a borrower or a lender than you are, sir," was the retort. "I consider your remark impertinent." Some surprise was expressed that Mr Mackenzie was not called to order, but the incident was allowed to pass. The Acting-Premier said he personally would like to see the tax completely abolished, but if members, did not want the present reduction he, of course, would not force it upon the House.

MOUNT EDEN RAILWAY STATION. The Minister for Railways has informed Mr Bollard that instructions have been given to proceed with the erection of the new railway station at Mount Eden, and for improving the railway platform at Mount Albert station. The work will be proceeded With without delay. TAXING SOLICITORS' COSTS. The committee on Mr Pirani's Solicitors' Bill of Costs Bill propose to amend it by providing" that a bill of costs may be referred for taxation only to a magistrate, and not to a magistrate or two justices of the peace, as at first proposed. The •committee also recommend that facilities be provided bjr the Government for the passage of the Bill. DESTITUTE .PERSONS. The Government are recommended1 by the Joint Statutes Revision Committee to take up the Destitute Persons Act, introduced in the Legislative Council by the iHon. T. Kelly, with a view to passingl it into law this session. The proposal in the Bill is that an order for maintenance of a destitute person or child may be maade a charge on any land belonging to the person against whom the order is made. Local Bills engaged the attention of the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. The University of Otag-o Empowering Bill was put through its final stages. AUCKLAND PETITIONS. The following petitions are, referred by the Parliamentary committees to the Government for consideration: (1) For extension of the Helensville North railway to Maungaturoto; (2) for improvement of Finlayson's-road, Waiau; (3) for a grant of £500 for the formation of the Mititai-Toka-toka-road.