POLITICAL NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 95, 19 October 1909, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES.

POLICE COMMISSION. Mr. H. W. Bishop's report on the evidence adduced before the Police Commission is in the hands of the Government, and may be tabled at the end of the week. PROPOSED VETERINARY SCHOOL. Nineteen members attended the meeting convened by Messrs. Allen and Sidey (both of whom arc members of Otago University Council) to consider matters connected with £he establishment of a school of veterinary science. Mr. Allen was voted to the chair, and stated that the Government officers had advised him that the Stock Department alone would require the services of three or four men every year for the next eight or nine years, which meant that training would be required for about thirty Government veterinary surgeons alone. Government had put £3000 on the estimates for buildings, but on the best advice plans had been prepared providing for absolutely mini mum requirements, , and the estimated cost was £4000. The Government had 'promised £1200 a year for upkeep, and although the Otago University Council estimated that the cost of administration would be rather more than this, they were willing to accept the responsibility of starting with that amount. The members present expressed themselves strongly of opinion that it was desirable that a school should be established, the following resolution being passed : "That this meeting heartily approves of the establishment of a veterinary school in connection with the Otago University." NATIVE TANDS. The idleness of vast areas of native land in the Waiapu district is tho subject of a monster petition presented to the House this afternoon by Mr. W. D. S. Macdonald, signed by about 1100 townspeople, settlers, and residents of the East Coast from Hauiti as far North as Awanui. The petitioners ■point out that a vast area of unimproved land, in the Waiapu County is eminently suitable for pastoral and dairy purposes. The land is mostly bush laad, and can only be developed by the expenditure of much capital and application of skilled methods of clearing and grassing. It is, the petitioners urge, impossible for the native population of the East Coast to utilise these great areas of unimproved country. The. area recommended by the Native Land Commission for eettlement is inadequate for the wants of the increasing European population, and, in order to effectively settle the land, it is most desirable that substantial additions be made' to the present native townships of Tokomaru, Waipiro, Poit Awanui, and Tc Araroe. The petitioners urge that the Lands Committee should call for evidence during the present ses3ion as to the area of land available lying idle in the district, the committee to report on such evidence ;ind make such recommendations as may be meet, and that the House give effect thereto as early as possible.

Messrs. W. H. Turnbull and Co. will on Friday offer at their Panama-st. rooms a fine collection of watercolours on behalf of Mrs. Fletcher Johnston. Many of tha artists represented in the collection are already well known to Wellington, through the introduction of Mrs. Johnston, and among them is Loxden L. Pocock, a member of the Dudley Gallery. The pictures -which ho contributes include "Gooseberries," showing hro figures, a. girl and a, -woman picking the fruit, and an admirably drawn figure, "Bonnie Kilmeny," the subject being taken from Hogg's poem, "The Queen's Wake." A drawing by Caton Woodville, entitled "The Standard Bearer," wifl attract the notice of those familiar with the prolific work of this well-known illustrator. Mr. F. J. AUlridge makes a strong showing in the collection. "On the Oder," a favourite place of his, and a "Breezy Day on the Zuider Zee," aro excellent examples of this arti&t's methods. Some broadly treated marine subjects are shown by Mr. Syd. Stacey. Itural England receives affect iona'to treatment at the hands of W. Follen Bishop, H.8.A., in the "Hamlet Under the Hill," and other delightful works. S. G. W. Hostoe is represented by scenes from Devon and Sursex, the latter including Arundel Castle. Mr. Wm. Affleck's "Maiden Dreams" and "In Time of Harvest " at once arrest attention. There are also shown works by Florence Fitzgerald, James Cafe (architectural), the late John Glover, R.W.S., G. G. Kilburne, R.1., E. A. K. MarPhall, E. J. Earp, E. Wake Cook, R.A.A.S., Nigel B. Severn, F. W. Booty, Achilie Bnzzi (Rome), A. F. Miller, F. Leslie, and Chas. Dixon. The pictures »re on viow daily. A blacksmith's and wheelwright's business is advertised for sale by Mr. F. P. Welch, of Masterton. Messrs. W. F. Shortt, Ltd.. advertise particular of a sale of household furniture, piano, o.p. ware, and appointments, on tha premise*, 66, Pirio-streot, oa Friday next, At 2' c'clock,