POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3155, 8 August 1881, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[by teiegraph.]

(FROM OTJ_ OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

WEr_:_&T , o*>r, August 8,

A caucus of the Auckland members was held on Saturday, all the members present except Sir George Grey, Sir G. M. O'Rorke, Messrs Moss, Tole, and Wood. Mr Hamlin occupied the chair. The following resolution was passed : —"That in settling the representation of the House strict regard should be had to the basis of population, including the natives of both Islands." Mr Sheehan moved that a committee wait on the Government and ascertain the position they intended to take up on this bill relative to the native population of the North Island. The four Maori members intend presenting a petition to the Governor praying him to remove the name of Captain Baillie from the Legislative Council roll, he being in their opinion disqualified by the Act as a Councillor through receiving an annual grant from the consolidated fund. A meeting of Wellington members is convened for to-morrow to discuss the Representation Bill. It is understood that the Wellington members intend acting with the Auckland members in securing increased representation for the North Island. After the caucus of the Auckland membeers on Saturday to discuss the Representation Bill, Mr Sheehan asked the meeting to take into consideration the fact that for some twelve months the coach service between Tauranga, Taupo, and Napier, had been discontinued, but that it had been partially re-established by coaches running between Taupo and Napier. Traffic, however, had been greater for some time between Taupo and Tauranga than it had been or would be between Taupo and Napier. The Taupo people wanted to be placed in quicker communication with Auckland than they now were. Letters took over ten days to reach Auckand via Napier. It was resolved that those present form themselves into a deputation to wait on the Government to-day.