MEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1216, 26 August 1911, Page 7

MEWS AND NOTES.

LEGISLATURE AMENDMENT. The dissatisfaction which has been produced by tht revision of tho electoral boundaries led to tho introduction by Sir W. J. Steward (Waitaki) yesterday afternoon of a measure which proposes that the margin of 550 allowed by tho present law in tho calculation of the populational Quota should 'bo increased to 1500. The'Bill also proposes to increase tho "life" of Parliament to four years. Discussing his proposal, Sir William said that as tho Bill was sot down for second reading on September 13, and tho Commissions will meet to prepare their final report on September 14, it could not bo effective this year, unless the Government took charge of the measure, and hastened its passago as a Bill of urgency. It was most unlikely that it would agree to do so. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM, The Bill introduced by Mr. A. L. HerdmaniNM.P., dialing with reform of the Civil Service by tho establishment' of a Public Servico Board, has now been circulated. It is practically the same' measure as Mr. wrdraan has introduced iii previous so&sions. PETITIONS, , The Johjuonvilla Town Board objects to b*ing included among the bodies to contributo to tho cost and maintenance of tho now Hutt. Road, and Mr. Luko ha.i presented a petition on its bohalf. Tho petitioners state that they had no opportunity of objecting when tho Act of 1903 was before Parliament. Tho Johnsonvillo Town District has, since that date, becomo separated from the Hutt County, and at the present timo no part of it abuts on the road. The board, therefore-, cannot participate in any revenue that may be derived from the sale of surplus lands abng the road. Tho paymonts required under the new measure would seriously affect tho finances of the board. Tho petitioners suggest that tho road should bo mado a Dominion road. A petition from the Hutt Comity Council against tho Otaki County Bill was presented by Mr. Field yesterday. The gr.nind of the objection is that tho proposed cutting off from the Hutt County of a portion contai.iing 2CB county dectors and land of the i.apital valuo of .6231,819, will inordinately increase the proportion of the county revenue, whWi must bo devoted to payment of office expenses, and the expenses could not bo reduced without impairment of efficiency. Joseph Southwick, of Brooklyn, formerly a teacher under the Wanganui and Otago Education Boards, petitions, through Mr. Wright, for a retiring allowance. Ho slates that ho left tho service a little too soon to take advantage of the Teachers' Superannuation Fund.