POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12906, 11 September 1907, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

(SPECIAL TO "THK PKES9.") WELLINGTON, September 10. LEASES-IN-PERPETUITY. A return laid on tho table of the House to-day shows that on July 31st last, there were 12,092 loases-in-per-petuity, and thut tho number of original tenants then in possession under such leases woe 7201. The following are tho particulars for the various districts, tho first number given in each oaso being tho number of existing leases, and the number in parentheses that of the original tenants now in posseesion:—Auckland, 3130 (1310); Hawke's Bay, 734 (380); Taranaki, 855 (511); Wellington, 1932 (909); Nelson, 536 (494); Marl borough, 644 (432), Westlmd, 502 (109); Canterbury, 1962 (1181); Otago. 1493 (948); Southland, 854 (G18). RETURNS. Tho Speaker, through Mr R. McKenzio; is asking for an interesting return showing (1) the names of all females employed in tho several Government Departments; (2) the Department in which they are now employed; (3) tho dato or appointment; (4) length of service; (5) whether they have passed tho Senior or Junior Civil Service examination ; and (0) salary proposed to be paid for the current financial year.

Mr James Allen is asking for a return showing the details of the following votes:—(l) Daily allowance to employees receiving not more than 10s a day, also allowances for Sunday duty ond special services. £45,000; (2) New Zealand International Exhibition, £7,500; (3) payments under the Workers Compensation for Accidents Act, 1900. JEojlOO; and (4) compensation to T. Carinichael for extras in connection with tho building of Departmental offices, £3100

Mr Fisher is asking for tho names, salaries and length of service of the temporary hands employed in tho Government Printing Office

For some years past a great deal of Government patronago hae gone to certain legal firms. Mr Symes ie enquiring into the matter He wants a return showing what Bills have been drafted outsido the Crown Liw Draftsman's Department since 1900, by whom drafted, and tho amount pair for each Bill. JOTTINGS. "Some members in this House," said Mr C. A. C. Hardy t;-duy, 'talk fortalki g*3 sake. They talk on one side and then on the other, and when thoy sit dowii they don't know on which side they are."' "That," he added, "applies to the member for Kaiapoi."

Mr MeLachlan said the debate on the tariff had been "as dead as ditch water." It was so dead that he had absented himself from the House altogether.

.Mr Lewis (for Mr It. Heaton Rhodes) has given notice to ask tho Minister of Education whether ho is aware of tho situation existing •on the Morico Settlement, and if so, whether ho will endeavour, in conjunction with the North Canterbury Board. to place educational facilities at tho disposal ot the settlers affected, in terms of the opinion expressed by the Acting-Pre-mier when visiting Littlo River.