POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11117, 8 November 1901, Page 7

POLITICAL GOSSIP .

(snetn. to "the nuss.* , ) WELLINGTON, November 7. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS. There was laid on the table of the House today, a return showing the amounts collected in ' fees (according to scale} bysolicitors under the Advances to Settlers Act from persona obtaining loans. The following are the amounts in the four chief provincial district*: —Auckland — Napier and Fitzherbert, £2613: J. M. SjUen, £365; W. Sievewright, £230. Wellington^—W. H. Barnicoat, £633; J. Prior, £1090; H. S. £366;: A. W. Gould, £712; ,C. AY Pownall, £1497; C. H. -Treadwell, £1038- Can-terbury-—Loughrey and Lane, £634; 6. Crisp, £1348; G- Raymond, £299; J. R. Olement, £30. Otago—H. Newton, £164; A. G. Herdmao, £342; J. F. M. Fraser, £1324. THE MIULION LOAN. , I understand en good authority that the prospectus of the million loan, or to be more correct, perhaps, the million and a quarter loan, went'"home by mail some • time ago, and is now in, the hands of the Agent-General in London. If the Joan cannot be placed in the ordinary'way it is probable -that th* money -will be - raised, on short-dated debentures. "THE WASHING-UP BILL" r The Reserves and Other Lands Sale Disposal and Enabling and Public Bodies Empowering Bill, ■ otherwise known as "The; • Washing-up 8i11, ,, came down as usual in, the dying hours' of '.the Session. Ifc is a ' Bill into wHich all sbits of things undealt with are hurriedly bundled, and there are always a number of clauses which hon. members are suspicious about afc the end of the session. It is impossible for Parliament to devote anything like adequate attention: to such a~ measure. : This year,' iowever, as far as could be seen, no serious "jobs" were perpetrated- The following, provisions in the Bill are of local interest: —A reserve for recreation at Sumper was provided for, subject to the.condition that! should the Lrttelton Harbour Board, or any otfoer narbour board, at any time require the aforesaid strip of foreshore for, harbour or harbour works purposes, they; shall have the right to enter upon, occupy,, and use the same without having to pay any compensation for so doing; A clause regarding the power to surrender the pre--senb lease and, -for granting -; of a new lease of the New Brighton tramway lease* was struck out, on-Mr Tannec's sug. gesrtion. He said the clause waSjput in tie Bill at Ms instigation last'year. Since then the circumstances had absolutely changed. Small reserves in the township of Rakakt were; granted to the South Kakaia Road'Boa:rcl. : -iA■clause that a reserve in the Weikari, purvey District "be declared Crown land for safe was struck out. A clause .providing that a road line through section 571 and 8799, Pigeon Bay, be closed and sold, was struck out. On the suggestion of .Mr Laurenson. A reserve afc Uo. 2223, was changed from a gravel pit; to a public domain. A reserve of 50 acres in iMandeville, No. 120,' Canterbury, was, changed from a domain to nighteoil depot and gravel pit.* SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. -There are still at half-past 1 a.mJ four Bills to. go through, and it does not look as though the Supplementary Estimates willcome down before the telegraph office closes at 2 o'clock. Mr Seddon ihae proniised them, and <he has also intimated that . he intends to finish the session at this sitting. At the present rate of progress the "House will probably adjourn' about 6; : o'clock on Friday morning. ;