PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 246, 17 October 1910, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GAIIERTC.

(By. Telegraph.—Parliamentary Beporter.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. „.. ACC-UMAHSING.THE HERRING.. A series of experiments are at present 'being conducted in England with herring oya in. the hope of acclimatising the herring in New Zealand waters, so the Hon. Millar told the house at an early hour this morning; Life had been suspended in; the ova for fifty days last year, but the experiment was a failure, and the request had baenmadethat the experiment should, be,continued. It was believed that the herring could be obtained, from, the ova, but if they found they could not get the ova they would try and bring the fish out. Tho temperatures had been taken, and they were quite satisfied that if the qya could be brought to the Dominion the herring would 'be acclimatised. Mr. Buchanan: "It is the finest fish in the world." THE GOVERNMENT STEAMERS. During the- discussion upon the Marine Department's vote questions , were asked as to what the Government intended to do with the two State-owned steamers, the Hinemoa and Tutanekaii. Mr. OL H. Poolo suggested that if they were going to sell the Hhtemoa, a more suitable steamer could moat probably be bought at a bargain in the Old Country at the present time. He recommended the purchase—of a boat already built rather than the construction of one from new plans.

The Minister~for Marine explained that £he Tutanekai was being retained as a reserve >boat,.and was finally intended for the Post and Telegraph Departments. She was at present being kept in the harbour with a skeleton crew ready for service at short notice. As to the Hinemo» ; this boat was to be sold, as she was practically useless except for the lighthouses. The steamer, for instance, could not bring a cargo of coal to Wellington when returning from the West Coast. They might obtain another boat with a capacity of 1500 tons or 2000 tons at a reasonable price. They did not intend to build a boat, but to purchase one already built. They would have "to be sure she was a good one, for in knocking about the lighthouses they did not want a shell-built boat!.

SALARY OF CUSTOMS OFFICERS. Representations were made iby Mr A. •E. Glover, -when the Customs Estimates were under consideration, respecting the increase Of the salary of several Customs officers at Auckland. The Hon. T. ■Mackenzie promised to take a note of the representations. THE OONtJTAJJLE." Excess of zeal on -the part of an Inspector of .Fisheries at Auckland was the subject of a. complaint lodged by Mr A. B. Glover with the Hon. J- A. 'Miliar last night upon the Estimates. The member for Auckland Central declared the man rwas over zealous in the performance of his duties. The Inspector had a launch at his disposal, which he supposed the Government provided. He urged the Minister to put a curb on this officer, as he .was "over-running the constable."

The Mhrister-for {Marine replied there was an old adage about setting a thief to catch a thief. This man was an old fisherman, •wio knew every move in the game, and he yeas too smart for them. He was a good pfiteer, and he (Mr Mallar) believed in supporting a good officer. "I say, this gentleman in charge of .the fisheries, he is not the man to fill the ■bill," declared Sir Glover, "and I ask the Minister to keep his eye on him."