Political Pars-

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2009, 8 October 1906, Page 5

Political Pars-

Quite a welcome little fuss, of which Mr Fraser, of Wakatipu, was the centre, occured towards midnight on Tuesday. It has been the custom of indolent members to save themselves the trouble of walking into the lobby to vote as they pass back into the House to wave an airy gesture towards the particular tellers they wish to advise, and say “ Put my name down, old chap.” Many, not quite so fatigued, stroll up, put a finger on their names, but don’t trouble to conform to Standing Orders, which insists they should go into the lobby. Mr Fra c er was firm. “ No,” he said, “ I’h not put your name down I Go into ihe lobby.” Again and again he repeated bis J cist >n with increasing emphas s. Mr Fu.tman, telling with him, said “ Dont make a noise,” hut Mr Fraser was not to be coerced or silenced, and persisted till he gained his point. One by one the lazy ones uncoiled themselves and obeyed the stern mandate. Really much more exercise than walking into the lobbies would benefit raauy of the memjers. “ Pamela ’’ in the Weekly Press. Mr W. Fraser has given notice to j move for a return showing in detail—(l) The original estimated cost of constructing the O ago Central Railway to its terminus at Newcastle, Hawea Flat; 2> the original estimate of the length of time which would be required to complete the railway to the terminus; (3) the total amount earmarked and voted by Parliament for this important colonial work, and the total amount expended thereon ; and (4) the several amounts earmarked in each of the last three public works loans for expenditure on the construction of the said railway, and how much of these several amounts have been expended. Mr Cutten, Mayor of Naseby, has received the following telegrams says ” the Chronicle, from Mr Macpherson M.H.R.: The first is dated the Ist October, and reads: I have pleasure in informing you that the Hospital Bill has passed. The i Minister of Public Health opposed, but after considerable trouble I succeeded in getting a withdrawal ef his opp ■ ition. Congratulations to the Maui tom County Council. The second, dated the 3rd, is : After considerable antagonistic discussion in Committee of the Upper House this where I had to appear in support, lam now pleased to report the bill is now practically law. The bill becomes law on the Ist April next. Mr Macpherson is trying to induce the Government Tourist department to exploit the Hawea district, and is asking the Mines Department to forward the construction of a dam at Hill’s Creek, near Naseby. The member for Mount Ida alleges that the Government reservoir in that disdistrict will be empty by the end of this week, and work at Naseby will be stopped. Mr Macpherson, M.H.R., asked the Minister in charge of the Tourist Department the following ; —Whether he will send a capable officer from his Department immediately’ to the Hawea district to report on the many attractions offered to tourists by way of boating, fishing, shooting, deerstalking, scenery, and climate ; such officer to take evidence from reliable sources in the district as to—(1) the number of tourists frequenting Hawea ; (2) the probable amount of money and wages spent in the district by T tourists ; (31 the necessity’ of improving tracks and roads ; (4) the erection at Hawea Lake or elsewhere in the neighbourhood of a suitable accommodationhouse for tourists; and (5 ■ the extension of telephone facilities from Hawea Flat to Hawea Station ? Also from the Postmaster-General as to whether the Government will give effect to the following resolution passed by the Upper Clutha Railway and Progressive League : “ That, see- I ing there is a vote granted by Parlia- { ment for telephone-extension to the backblocks, the Government be asked to have an extension made from Hawea to Maungawera and Makarora especially the latter —those places be- , ing much in want of telephones in cases of emergency and sickness ?”