PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7357, 9 July 1889, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

[Bt Tblegkaph.l [fbom otra bpkcial correspondent.] WELLINGTON, July 8. . The Public Works Statement is not now expected before next week. It is all ready for delivery as soon as a way is clear. Mr Pyke's poem, " Haeramai." has been beautifully illustrated by Purnell, of Wanganui, and is now on exhibition in lobby, where it excites great admiration. The Minister of Defence has decided, in response to strong representations, to permit constables to belong to religious societies although not to political bodies. A meeting was called for Wednesday respectively of suburban members to consider the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, and of town members for the same purpose. It ia rumored that some of the surveys for the central route of the North Island Trunk Railway have given less favourable results than were anticipated, and that the Taranaki members consequently are more sanguine of carrying their point. The Auckland and Taranaki members are pressing the Government hard to adopt the plan already mentioned of completing the railway from Auckland as far as the tunnel at the cost of .£IOO,OOO, making a road to New Plymouth for .£4OOO, and expending j8200,000 in purchasing Native land. It is considered doubtful whether the Medical Practitioners Bill will succeed in passing the Upper House, where it has been introduced. Numerously signed petitions have been received by Sir G. Whitmore and other members of the Council from leading medical men in various parts of the colony strongly objecting to the Bill, on the grounds that it is unnecessary, and that it places too much Dower in the hands of a central body.

FfBOM OUB COBRESPONDBNT.I WELLINGTON, July 8. Members of the Lower House are subscribing funds for the relief for the family of the late Mr Levestam, ex-Member for Nelson. So far, upwards of £60 has been collected, and before the list closes probably £100 will be raised. Last session, on the defeat of the Fair Rent Bill in the Council, Government undertook to make enquiries with a view of affording relief to those deferred payment and perpetual leaseholders of the Crown who were in arrears and could not „ pay the rents which their holdings stood them in. During the recess the Commissioners of Crown Lands and Bangers have been making enquiries, with a viewto recommending reductions of rents in certain cases, ana the Minister for Lands will introduce a Bill, probably of one operative clause, having for its object the validation ot the new valuations. The Charitable Aid Bill is not likely to come on for further consideration for some days, so that an opportunity will be afforded to local bodies to consider the measure and communicate their viewe to members. The following resolution, written by Mr Barron, has been hung up in the lobbies for signature :—" Members representing suburban boroughs are invited to meet on Wednesday, at 10.30, to consider the Charitable Aid Bill." So far Messrs Larnach. Jones, Fish, Joyce, Moss, Blake and Barron have attached their signatures. Strong opposition has been declared against the setting up of the Committee to be moved for by the Premier to enquire into Harbor Board affairs, and it is probable that the Committee may not be set up. This is, however, of little consequence to the Government, as a similar Committee has already been set up in the Upper House, and will bring out all the facts required.