POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11725, 28 October 1903, Page 9

POLITICAL NOTES.

(SPECIAL TO “THE PRESS.”) WELLINGTON, October 27. THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. The long-delayed Public Works Statement is now expected to come down at the end of this week or early in next week. A CHECK TO THE PREMIER.

A decided check has been placed on the Premier, and his now established habit towards the end of the session of bringing on any new business of tlie greatest importance at an early hour in the mdrning, and rushing it through. This check is provided by Mr Speaker's ruling, given last night in regard to taking business alter 12.30 p.m. The only business that should be taken after that hour, he said, was Bills that had passed through committee without amendment. (Hear, hear.) In the ease of other business that required to be taken after 12.30 p.m., notice of motion to that- effect should be placed on the Order Paper to set aside the Standing Order in question, to allow that course to be adopted. Mr Guinness remarked that he did not know if that intimation would meet with the approval of the House.

The Leader of the Opposition: “It meets with the approval of thin side of the House.”

Sir Joseph Ward: “I am very glad the lion, gentleman is satisfied.”

Mr McLuchlan: “It also meets with tho approval of this side of the House." (Laughter.) GOVERNMENT VALUATION ROLLS. The Government Valuation of Land Act Amendment Bill was circulated to-night. It provides that district valuation rolls may be revised by the Valuer-General whenever the Governor-in-Council directs. The provision in the Act of 1900 that no revision of a roll can take place within two years of tlie Last revision is repealed. Provision is made for estimating the various interests in land subject to a lease at not less value than if the land was held by a single owner in fee simple. Tlie method of computing the various interests of lessors, lessees, and sub-lessees are detailed at length. There is also a provision that on the application of tlie Secretary of Stamps the Valuer-General must make any new valuation necessary for the purposes of the Stamp Act or the Deceased Persons’ Estates Duties Act, the valuation fee to be paid by the owner of the land or his personal representatives. HANMER’S WANTS. Mr Rutherford will ask the Minister in charge of the Tourist Department whether, in view of the alleged unsatisfactory manner in which the Department manages) Hanmer affairs, he will take the necessary steps to have tlie control thereof vested in the Hanmer Advancement Committee? This question is necessary on account of recent correspondence between the member for Humnui and the Department. Mr Rutherford will also ask the Minister of Railways if his attention lias been drawn to the fact that the Great Western Railway Company, England, is running motor cars with accommodation for fifty passengers on its railway lines. This question is asked for tho purpose of ascertaining whether the Minister will cause inquiries to be made with a view to running a similar car daily on the Christchurch-Culverden line during the Hanmer season. JOTTINGS. A return of the amount paid for rent of premises by Government departments in each of the provincial districts for the year ended 31st March last, was laid on tlie table of the House to-day. The total sum paid was £11,154, of which £1896 was paid to the Government Insurance Department. In Auckland £1699 was paid, in Wellington £5424, in canterbury £1432, and in Otago £1784. The Railways Committee reported that they had no recommendation to make on the petition from employees in the railway workshops at Pe-tone, asking that their wages may be paid weekly or fortnightly instead of monthly.