NEWS AND' NOTES,

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 312, 26 September 1908, Page 8

NEWS AND' NOTES,

IMPREST SUPPLY. Tho Imprest Supply Bill No'. 4' introduced yesterday makes provision as- follows:— First Schedule—Tlie Consolidated Fund, £450,000; tho Public-Works Fund, £200,000; the Loans to. Local Bodies. Account, £10,000 ; the Lani <for Settlements Account, £1000; the State Forests Account,. £2500; the State Coal-mines ' Account, £30,000;- the Scenery Preservation Account, £1000; the Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Account, £6000; the Railways* Improvement Authorisation Act Account, £7000; the Maori Land Settlement Act Account,, £500. Total, £708,000. . Sccond Schedulo.—The Government Insurance Account, £7000; the Government Accident Insurance Account, £1000; the State Fire Insurance Account; £1500; the Public Trustee's Account, £3500; the Government Advances to Settlers Account, £72,500; the Government Advances .to Workers Account; £4000. Total, £90,000. . Colonel Porter, C.8., of Gisboiie, is petitioning for a retiring, allowance or compensations in view of his lengthy services to the Dominion. He entered the service in a: military, capacity in June, 1863, and says he has served continuously on active military duties up to the present, and is by rank and dato_ of service tho - senior officer of the Dominion Forces. He gives a lengthy ; list of his civil and ■ military. • In connection, with his retirement from the Native Department he 'quotes a letter he received from the Native Minister, in December, 1907. : as follows:—"The Government have decided' that, in the changes which are inevitable as. the result of our hew Native legislation, to ask you to retire from your preseut position. This step is consequent upon the fact that we are incorporating as much as possible men from the you:''.-or rank's. In . conveying this to you, I wish, to express the high appreciation of the Government for-the long and valuable services ■ you . have rendered the country." After his retirement, the SolicitorGeneral gavo an- opinion that he could' not qualify for. a retiring allowance. He, however, attaches a contrary, opinion from Mr. Skerrett, which says he is entitled to the benefits of the Act' for every year of continuous employment in the public service. Mr. Ell (to, Mr. T. Mackenzie): "I have now given tho'hon. gentleman some nuts to brack!" Mr. Mackenzie (with terrible scorn): "Nuts 1 They are bouldors I'' (Laughter.) Mr. Ell:''" Which is an illustration of the weight of my argument." . ■ :