POLITICAL NOTES. THE SEDDON GRANT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 78, 29 September 1906, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES. THE SEDDON GRANT.

Contrary ta expectations, the grant of £6000 to the -widow of the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, which was included in the vote for ihe Colonial Secretary's Department, was not debated in the House last night. Members had previously arrived at a general understanding that tho matter would not be discussed, and tho grant went through without a single reference being wade to it. TWO LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS. During tho debate on the police estimates yesterday, Mr. Wilford paid a kindly compliment to tho ability and character of two Igcal police officers — Sub-Inspector O'Donovan and Chief Detective M'Grath. References had beer, made to the scanty salaries and inadequate house allowances made to sub-in-spectors, and the member for Hutt, by way of strengthening the case for an increase, said that Sub-Inspector O'Donovan was the last man in the world who would approach a member of Parliament qboufc anything. Wellington was distinctly fortunate in having a man of such high integrity in its polioo force. It would-be very hard indeed to get a better man. . He was a self-taught, man, who had worked himself up till he paesfid his lawyer's examination. Wellington also had a Chief Detective of unusual ability. He ventured to say that Mr. M'Grath's' knowledge of criminal proceedings was second to none in New Zealand. He (Mr. Wilford) could say that without in any way reflecting on any. Grown Prosecutor in the colony. Something should be done to increase the pay of the beet minds in the force; tho present salaries for sub-inspectors were quite inadequate. THE CULVERDEN ESTATE. A. Canterbury deputation waited upon the Minister for Lands (the Hon. R. M'Hab) this morning to urge the purchase of the Culverden Estate, consulting of about 30,000 acres. The matter was brongnt under the notice of Mr. M'Nab's predecessor some little time ago. Today the deputation stated that the young men were leaving the district and going to the North Island because they could not get land. They did not wkh it to be ' Understood that tho whole of the estat3 consisted of first-class land, but on the whole it was very good country for close settlement. It was' pointed out that the cost of roading would bo very small. At present no one in particular received any benefit from the land. It was held in trnst for a number of young people until they became of age. Some years ago a little cultivation was attempted, but nowadays hardly anything -was being done in this direction. The deputation doubted if sufficient oats weie grown on tho estate to feed the horses employed on it. The Minister, in reply, stated that the • Land Purchase Board had visited and inspected the property, but no recommendation hud yet been made. He would see Mr. Barren when he returned. Incidentally Mr. M'Nab mentioned that the board had stated that the estate was suit; able for subdivision into ten properties. "Forty properties," exclaimed a member of tne deputation. "It is carrying 18,0iA) sheep, and if it was cultivated woul^, carry twice as many. It would cut up into 300 or 500-acre blocks." The Minister promised to go thoroughly into the matter with Mr. Barron when he returned. THE LAND BILL. • There was something of the air of a calm before the storm in the lobby today concerning the Land Bill. It was generally felt that the Land Cotainittee would complete its work on Tuesday morning, and report to the House that afternoon. Rumour 'has it that many amendments have been added to the Bill by tho committee, and it is probable that members of tho House may require two days in which to consider tho amendments before the big debate begins. The supporters o^ the Bill are confident that the measure v.'ill go through this session, and there are some members who aro now sanguine that the session will close at the end of next month — with the Land Bill on the statute book. JOTTINGS. ' ' The A to L Public Petitions Committee recommends for the consideration of rhe Government a petition from 765 persons asking for a model get of bylaws to regulate traction-engine •traffic. "In response- to petitions from a number of dentists who could not register ■under the Dental Act of 1904, the Public Petitions Committee has recommended to the House that legislation should hz introduced to allow petitioners, to pass examinations under tho old Act until the expiration of the old Board of Examiners' tenure of office. , Show mo a man whoso ssrviccs are no longer required, "and I do not keep euch a man on. — The Minister ot Public Works. There seems to be an impression abroad throughout tho colony, cays Mr. Gray, that once a man gets into tho State eervicß, he is ther.3 for life. Sympathy ia ut the bottom of the oicceEs of the sly grog-sailing business in the opinion of the mpmbcr for Ashbuvton. Ths Police Provident Fund is in a veiy sound condition to-day, says the Minister of Justice. Mr. Jas. Allen wants to see the actuarial report in support of that statement. " I have become a convert to the absolute majority principle."— -The Leader ol tho Opposition. Mr. Hojig is asking the Government to consider the expediency of introducing a few fruit experts from Tasmania or California, "for the purpose of giving instruction in tho art of growing apples and peanj without the assistance of protective duties." * / Tho Minister of Labour has given notice that he intends introducing a Scaffolding Inspection Bill. In connection with the St. John Ambulance Bazaar, particulars are advertised of the prizes for the baby show. Entries must be sent to Mrs. Michie, 75 Tinaltori-road, or Mrs. W. A. Kennedy, Clifton-terrace, before 18th October, A concert, in which leading vocelists will take part, is to be held at the New Century Hall, Kent-terrace, on Tuesday, 16th October. Messrs. W. R. and J. F. Hursthouse have just returned from studying dentistry in England and America. Mr. W. R. Hursthouse was for eight months at tho National Dental Hospital in London, where he took a post graduate course. His brother took a similar cburso at the Philadelphia College, U.S.A. Mr. W. R. Hursthouse has commenced practising in Wellington. The sailors who attended the Missions -to Suamen last evening enjoyed a programme of music arranged by Miss M'lntyre. The missionrr gave shoit "Health" and' "First Aid" addresses. The following contributed to the programme : —Mrs. R. Rhill, Misses M'lntyre, Ranwell, and Granville, and Messrs. Woods, Goudio. Light, Salmon, F. Sales, and N. 'Way (R.M.S. Tongariro). Theic was a largo attendance at tho Catholic Young Men's Club on Thursday evening, whpn Mr. L. Rcichel gave an interesting account of his recent travels in tho Old Country, Europe, and America. Tho lecture* was illustrated with good lantern views, and was greatly enjoyed.