PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume XLVI, Issue 28, 2 August 1893, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

THE WAIOARAPA LINE. Mr. H021; yesterday wanted to know whether chenpnr rates were charged on some sections of the Government railways for native coal than on the imported aitiole, inc., if so, why such cheaper rates were not charged on tho Wniroropa line? The Rai'waj C'oniniis^ion.Ts' reply wa-> as follows :—: — 1 be rateß for nativo coaU aro in some capes lower than for imported coals. In considering what rates it was advisable to rednce on the Wellington aeotion in furtherance of tho promotion of settloinent and encouragement of industries the Comimpsioners havii selected those rates for cieaiif.^ with which appear to be of more importance to the Wairarapa. For example, they have reduced the rates on agricultural produoo cf all descriptions, pelts, hoofs, horns, hurdler, corrugated iron, preserved meats, seeds, sheep-dip, fenomg-wiro, woolpaokp, salt, roclc salt, bay, straw, chaff, turnips, mangolds, Ac. " THE TWO MACB." A requisition is being numerously signed in Waikouaiti County (whioh embraces tho Peninsula, where Mr. Mackenzie resides), asking Mr. 'Scobie Mackenzie to contest the Waikouaiti seat, as there is a strong desiro in New Zealand that a Mackenzie (or M'Kenzie) should not be wasted by two of the name fighting each other. THE BRUNNKRTON MINKS. The Premier, replying to Mr. GuinneßS yesterday, said that should the report of the experts (Messrs. Gordon and Kilfoyle) bo favourable to the removal of the coal in the "pocket" next to tho river at Brunnerton, permission to remove it will be given. Jlr. Fish moved the adjournment of the House, and with Mr. Allen considered that permission should not be (riven until the House had been consulted. Sir Eobert Stout and Mr. Guinness spoke in favour of permission being given if the report— which the Premier Baiil he had telegraphed for— was favourable, and after discussion the Bubjeot dropped. THI PBBBB-BOOU ABT GA.Lt.KRT. Mr. Taylor is, like the members of the Press Gallery, mach conoerned respecting tho disappearance of the "Art" Gallery which has iiilherio liecn its chiof glory. Ho asked the Premier yesterday what had become of the picture sketches— whether they had been absolutely effaced, or whether copies had been sfnt "to the Wei ington School of Arts. Tho Premier said he did not know by wliofo authority tha sketches had been pasted over, but they had been effaced, and he believed the School of Arts had no copies. LUNATIC ABYLUJIB BErORT. According to the annual return of Dr. MacGregor, Inspector of Lunatic A&ylums, there w0i0,1917 lunatics under his jurisdiction on 3Ut December last. Of these 1154 wore males and 7:13 females, an increase of 39 males and 29 females on the figures of the previous year _ The proportion of insane to the population in the countries mentioned is as follows : — New Zealand, exclusive of Maoris, Ito 339 ; inclusive of Maoris, 1 to 361 ; New South Wales, 1 to 371 ; England, 1 to 343. Dr. MacGregor explains that & large number of persons are sent to Lunatic Asylums in New Zealand who in England would be kept in Workhouses. Tho percentage of recoveries during the year was 42 12, as against 3724 in 1891. The average of deaths in New Zealand waß 5"87 per cent. In 1891, tho percentage in New South Wales was 7 30. Dr. MacGregor again regretß ths uncertainty of provision being made for the separata accommodation of idiots, criminal lunatics, and inebriates, and points out that it is a very heavy burthen indeed for a young colony to provide' the accommodation for these classes which modern public sentiment demands, especially as the whole cost falls on tho Consolidated Fund. The report states that, considering the great overcrowding in the four large aayluma caused by tho delay in opening Porirua, there was wonderful freedom from accidents dnring the past year. THC FIDEEAL CONPEBENCK. The Cabinet has decided that New Zealand shall not take part in the next sitting of the Foderal Council. 7.aBvIUK BILLS. Tlie I abonr Bills Committee this morning finally passed the Shops and Shop Assistant Bill, adding a further provision that where the conference of local budies fails to agree aa to tho day for the half-holiday, the Governor-in-Council shall fix the day. The Committee also considered the Conciliation Bill, and Mr. Black well, manager of tho Kaiapoi Wuollcn Company, was examined at length. He expressed himself as opposed to compulsory conciliation, but professed little knowledge of the existing statute. He was complimented on the candid manner in which he gave his evidence. A KEW COMPLICATION. There are said to be at present strained relations between two members of tha Ministry, in consoquenco of one of them feeling sore at efforts said to be made by the other to effect a rapprochement with Sir Kobert Stout, with a view to the Utter taking the leadership. THE 'FEISCO MAIL. The British Postal authorities have agreed to tho proposed alteration in the 'Frisco mail time-tablo to permit of time being allowed for letters to be replied to from any part of the colony by the next outgoing mail, which, under the new arrangement, wou)d leave a fortnight after the incoming mail had arrived in the colony. The Amerioan authorities ore now being consulted. OOVJEBNHBNT AND OTBSB BILLS. In the form to which the Native Titles Validation Bill has been amended by the Government, it provides that all certificates granted by a Judge under the Act shall be laid on the table of the Honse, and if there be no objection thereto the effect of fins} validation will be given. As the measure was drafted by JndVe Barton, a certificate was proposed to bo valid immediately it was issued by the Court. The provision that a!) appeals on points of law are to be remitted to the Appeal Court is retained. A Bill for thn pnrpose of securing to iho owners of threshing-machines a preferential lien over grain threshed by them until payment of the price of threshing, is being prepared by Mr. Speaker Steward, and it is probable that the Minister for Lands will bs asked by deputation to take it up. Another Bill drawn up by the member for Waimate is in the direction suggested by Mr. Bnick, viz., to secure proper accommodation being provided for shearers. JOTTINGS. Mr. O'Conor has given notice to introduce the Referendum Bill. Mr. Steward is urging that the Government reduce the rates of interest for small 6um3 obtained from the Government Insurance Department. , Mr. O'Conor is anxious that the Govern, ment should introduce a Bill to exempt improvements up to .£250 from looil rates, Replying to Mr. Fish, the Minister for Education said yesterday that Dr. Mocgreeor's present engagement as Inspector of Hospitals and Lunalic Asylums expires on December 13th next. The Minister for Labour says that so far no local bodies have made by-laws under " Tho Servants' .Registry Office Act, 1892." Ho proposes that, if time will permit, provision shall be made for tho Labour Department undertaking the work. Mr. Sandford was the ques<ioner. Mr. Taipua cays that though he has frequently urgod on the Government to fill the place of tho late Hod. Wi Tako in the Legislative Conncil, it has never been filled. Had it been a European vacancy, he says, it would have been filled immediately. There wore 308 patients in the Wellington Asylum at tho end of lost year. Mr. Fish wag seated side by side with the Colonial Treasurer yesterday on the front Minis t oi ial bench, when Mr. Sbora observed him, and congratulated tlio Ministry on having " undergone reconstruction." Mr. James Mills is to be placed on the Labour Bills Committee, .with a view to receiving the benefit of his experience on the Shipping and Seamen's Bill. Mr. M'Guire wants to know if there is any trulb in tho statement that Mr. Donkip, sent out to explore tha route for the Trnnk Railway, has refused to go into tho bush with the inexperienced men sent up to him from Wellington. Mr. Pinkerton in asking Government to grant .£ISOO towards the cost of the new wing of Dunedin Hospital, and apropos of this, he wants a return of tho grants mado to the hospitals of the four citios. Mr. Duncan wishes to havo all po'ito officers at country stations appointed officers of the Labour Bureau, and required to kot p records and make returns of unemployed. The Hon. Mr. Bollcston is asking that Chairmen of County Councils be ex officio Justices of tho Peace during their terms cf office. Mr. Steward suggests to tho Colonial Treasurer that he has" power to declare sheep-shears to be " artificers' tools, ' ' and so exempt from duty. Tho Minister for Education has promised Mr. Joyce.that .he will consider the advisability of affording information to Edacation Boards on tho working of the Kindergarten By stem. H-> informed Mr. Joyce that the system was not confined to the Mount Cook Sobool, as he appeared to think, but had been for some time in vogue at the Normal School, Christchurch, and the Wellington Board had imported the materials Borne time aj?o. _ Mr. M'Loan said yesterday that last session the Premier ptevented him from taking the vote of the House on the question of nationalising the oonj mines, bnt that he would not be put off this tima. If the Government were going to have all the losses be didn't ieo why they should not have somo of tho gains, when suitable mines were obtain - able. The Colonial Treasurer has informed Mr. C. H. Mills that % Bill to, permit tho Public Trusteo to pay over any sum of mon<y Btanding to the credit of a claimant, without reference to the Supreme Court, will be brought down in a few days. The travelling allowances paid to Ministers during the year ending 31st March last amounted to £873. The New Zealand Government paid Professor Stuart 4105 in connection with hi* visit to Germany for the pnrposo ( of enquiring into and reporting on Kbuh s cure for consumption. Tho cost of the enquiry r« J^King, Census numerator at Auokland, was £*7 lQs Sd. The cxpeniituro under the Ordinary Revenue and Land Fund Aocotinte during 1892-93 amounted to 42,1&3,66*, aB against £2,143,<M5 for the preceding year. " Miscellaneous Expenditure in connection with the Colonial Secretary's Departnent includes a sum of .£23 10s paid for tho travelling expenses of Labour delegates. William Longley Fowler, of Alesbury [Canterbury), sometime agq, agreed to the request of the Stook Department to slaughter L767ofhis sheep in order to eradicate soab >n his run. He was offered 2s 6d per head 'or them, but now .the Stook Department re. uses to pay him £820 17e 6A, tiie value of ihe ahoep destroyed., The Enbho Petitions L to L Committee reoomm«nd» that the full amount be paid. In reply to a request from Mr. E. M. Smith hat the Government should give 4 for 4 on ,ny amount snbsoribed in Taranaki as a oward to Mr. Harold.; Thompson for cap-, uring the New Piymouth.' lr bighwajrman, 1 • • he Premier said ttutt on hearuur of M*. "hompaon's gallant conduct he telegraphed.

expressing appreciation, and promising that tho Government would consider the question of recognising his action later on. He could no l say more now. Mr. W. Hutohison intonds to try and havo the Education Act amondod, in tho direction of the introduction of Bible-read-ing in schools. The Colonial Treasurer left for the South on urgent private business this afternoon. Mr. Ward will ho absent a week. Sir James Hector considers fiat if tho House persists in reducing the vote for tho New Zealand Institnte, the workb of tho Institute will be crippled, and the fi/o of tho " Transactions " will h'ivo to bo rednci-d. £ir Robert Stout is to tttKj charge of tho Tnstitute of Journalists Bill in the Loviff rfouau. Mr. Cadman's friends are very confident of his return for Auokland. The Railway^ Commissioners deny that a train was left in the Gorge in a dangerous position, as stated by Mr. W. W. Curlilo. Special precautions are taken. The Commissioners consider it would be most dangerous to give several persons on tho same section authority to alter the running of trains.