POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11102, 22 October 1901, Page 6

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(STZCTAL TO "thb pbxss.") WELLINGTON, October 21. THE GOLD INDUSTRY. "Through the representations of Mr W. ' Fra&er, the member tor \>akatipu, some 1 important and very necessary amendments were made m the Inspection of Macninery Biil to-mght in regard to gold dredge engineeis. jLhe Bui was No. <so cm the Order reaper, but ilr Hall-Jones, at Mr Fraser's request, agreed to take it second on the list. But lor this we should probably not, have heard anything more ot ihe liui this session. Under the taw previously in force tuiee first>-c.ass enguieeis were supposed to tic in charge oi dredges, one lor each suit.. Now it wnl be possible to satisfy < toe law with one hrst-cass engineer, two shiits being worked with engineers holding secona-class certificates, -tie time lor qualifying lor service certificates has been exteaaed to 1900. This wui give ample time to qualify. A new clause has been addid to ihe Hill in regaid to engines ol 144 circular inches. On obtaining ma service certincate a man can at any tune go up for his examination lor a fiistr-cia&s certificate. These concessions will "be greatly appreciated m Otago and bouthland, anu also on' the West of the South Island, in conjunction with the gold dredging industry. RAILWAY SUPERANNUATION FUND. The Railway Superannuation Fund, as proposed in toe bill introduced oy the .Minister ol Railways, is to consist oi con- i tnbutions of o per cent, from the pay ot employeesr, a subsidy by the Colonial Treasurer equal to the total amount of these contributions, and the money now.j in the Railway Servants' Fund. Contributors receiving a retiring allowance must be sixty years ot age, ana must have been twenty-five years in the service. The Superannuation Fund shall be administered by a Hoard, comprising the Alinister of Railways, the isibcitor-tjeneral, the Public Irustee, tbe (Jenerai "Manager of Railways, and the four other elected members of the Appeal Board. The Bill is not to be carried through this session, but will be circulated among the officers of the Department during the recess. REGISTRATION OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. The Medical Practitioners Bill, which has been introduced by the Colonial Secretary (Sir Joseph Ward) was circulated on Friday morning. It provides for the incorporation of all registered medical practitioners under the name of the 'Association of Registered Medical Practitioners of New Zealand," the affairs of which are to be managed and controlled by a ■• Council 'o be styled the Medical Council of New Zealand. For the purposes of the Act the colony is to be divided into dis- ! tricts, namely, Auckland (comprising the provincial districts of Auckland and Taranaki), Wellington (comprising the provincial districts-of Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Nelson, and Marlborough),- Canterbury {comprising the provincial districts of Canterbury and Westland), and- Otago (comprising the pro-vincial districts oi. Otago and Southland). The Council is to consist of one registered medical practitioner from each district appointed by the Government and one registered medical- practitioner from each district appointed ■oy the registered medical -practitioners in such district, and the'term of office is to be three years. The Council is. to appoint 'a registrar whose duty shall be to keep the New Zealand, Medical Register containing the names, and qualifications ot all duly registered medical practitioners, and no person is to'be entered on the register unless the Council is-satisfied as to the- qualifications of the person > claiming to be,.registered,, and-the Council.is also given- power -to strike .off the register the name-of any person guilty of infamous conduct. No*" person is entitled to recover fees-for, advice attendance unless he is registered, audimxegistered persons,are.de,barred from, holding, certain. appointments. Further,, a, medical certificate from an.unrregistered person- is, invalid, and. n0,,, one is;: allowed-.to-;' practise' until he. is registered, tha penalty, for. a breach of this section being £50. The Bill further provides penalties for fraudulently, procuring regjstraition and for improperly using a medical title. . ' THE PATEA ELECTION. . , - Mr. Stevens, the Government whip, "who. is at-'present -absent on leave,* is"--reported to be stumping the district with Mr-He*h>p;. the Government candidate for' the -, Patea seat. '--'- - - " : ' •'- r '"'-.!■*"•