POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 7233, 8 June 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Oob Parliambktabt Reporter,] WELLINGTON, June t The Village Settlement Expenditure. It appears that Mr G. F. Richardson intended to move a vote of censure on the Minister of Lands for his action in incurring a liability of L 67.000 in excess of last year’s vote on account of the village settlements. He sought support in the lobbies for such a motion, but nothing was heard of it beyond Mr Richardson's expression of regret in the House that a vote oj censure was not proposed.., It is therefore assumed that the support promised was ipsuM*. cient to justify any hope of supcess. or, that the motion was . considered ihadvuable.. Mt Richardson also referred to the special settlement block scheme, and bore , out the remits that he made this forenoon, ap to the manner in which these blocks are being handed over to associations. a ; v More Legislative Amenities. The members of the legislative Council are certainly not a happy family. In speaking to one of the policy treasures this afternoon,' Hon. Mr Miller charged .the Colonial Secretary with indulging in a quantity ef abusive nonsense. Mr. Buckley at once rose to his feet aqd asked that the words .“abusive nonsense” should be taken down. The words were noted; but eventually the Colonial Secretary.paid he thought the best court&iy he could show to the bon. gentleman was to takanofurtheraction, Mr Miller did not feel particularly gratified for the consideration extended to him, though, for the sake of good feeling, he consented to withdraw the expression. The ‘Evening Press’ affirms that a more shameful scandal than that of the village settlement scheme never occurred, aud that the severest censure that the Hoii-e could pass would not be too. severe to maik the public reprobation of such misdoing. In countries enjoying a more compact form of government than ours, a Minister who had done what Mr Ballancc lias done would bo not only expelled from office, but condemned to expiate his public sins by exile or death, “There is a weak prejudice against exemplary action hero, and the constitutional methods of compassing them are cumbrous and troublesome. The Minister of Lands, therefore, will probably go unwhipped of Justice, but Parliament mW take good c&re that he does not do it again. All the facts and circumstances of this, the biggest scandal of the Stout-Vogel Administration, must be exposed for the souls’ correction of those Ministers at any other successors.” A Close Shave. The Council this afternoon fay a narrow majority allowed the Government Leans to Local Bodies Amendment Bill, Which is intended to remedy some defects in the Aet of last session, to be committed. In the course of the debate the intervention of tho ActingSpeaker was required on more than one occasion in consequence of the scrong language used by hou. legislators. Df Pollen, in moving that the Bill be committed a second time that day six months,- urged that the local bodies should learn to depend on themselves, and not go on accumulating a burden of debt which was quit* out of proportion to their means. He referred in strong terms to the policy of borrowing in the Colony, and expressed a hope that at the coming election people would return men pledged to rigid economy. Messrs Oliver, George M‘Lean,- and Holmes also urged that as this was a policy measure the country should have an opportunity of expressing an opinion on it. The Bill was committed by 17 votes to 15; but in Committee it was considerably emasculated, the borrowing clauses being excised, but the machinery clauses were retained. Otago petitions.

The grievance of William Davis and others, of Arrowtown, contractors for the portion of the dray road, has been considered, and the Petitions Committee report that the petitioners have no claim against the Colony. The petitioners asked compensation for certain work done as extras in connection with their contract; Volunteer Squabbles. The Public Petitions Committee hare reported with reference to the petition of Jackson Palmer, a lieutenant in the Fonsonby Rifle Volunteers, who alleges that he was placed _ under arrest in March last on baseless charges, ' and prays that a certain document necessary in a prosecution for libel may be produced by the Defence Department, and that a repetition of the wrongs he has suffered may be prevented. As this matter is at present under the consideration of the Government the Committee have no recomendation to make. The Tobacco Industry. The same Committee have reported adversely respecting the petition of August Yollbraoht, of Auckland, who asked that he might be awarded a bonus on account of having introduced the cultivation of tobacco into (ha Colony. Cost of Collecting Customs Duties. From a return presented by the Treasurer today I learn that the cost per cent, of collecting Customs and other revenue at the principal ports of the Colony daring the last financial year was >—Auckland, L2 7s sd; New Plymouth, Ll2 15s; Wellington, L2 Os 10a; Napier, L 3 6s lid; Pieton, Ll4lls 4d ; Nelson, L2 19s 6d; Invercargill and Bluff, L 3 14s 6d; Dunedin, L2 8s; Daman), L 3 19s sd; Christchurch and Lyttelton, L2 11s 9d; Timarn, L 4 2a 2d; at Hokianga it cost L 77 Is lOd per cent. ; at Mongonui, L6O 19s lOd ; and at Bussell, L4017s 9d. Tbe average for the Colony was L2 14s 3d. The cost of collection, if calculated on the Customs revenue only (less drawbacks and refunds) amounted to L2 J9s6dper cent. In the United Kingdom, on tbe same basis, it was L 4 9s 4d for the year ended 31st March, 1886. Northern Trunk Railway. Mr W. C. Smith to-day presented a petition signed by a number of members of special settlement associations interested in the location of the railway through the Forty Mile Bush from Eketahuna to Woodviflc. Tbe petition represents that the present surveyed route is by far the most suitable and convenient for the mass of the settlers, and alleges that the adoption of another route would be disastrous to the districts interested. Dills Advanced a Stage. Two Bills, remedying defects in previous measures, were advanced a stage in the House to - day. The Counties Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed, while the second reading of the Mining Act Amendment Bill was agreed to without discussion. Denouncing tbe Premier. . Two of the ablest speeches of were delivered to-night by Sir G. Grey and Mr Fergus, and both were scathing denunciations of the Premier and the land administration of tho present Government.. Mr Fergus declared that, while the Premier had risen in rank, he had sunk in the estimation of the people to such an extent that his name, which was once received with respect was now only received with derision and scorn. Sir G. Grey’s speech gave an" able exposition of his views on the land question. The Northern Railway. Information of an important nature was elicited from the Minister of Lands to night by Mr Peacock, who asked what amount had been expended out of the 1.100,000 taken from the North Island Trunk Railway for land purchases along the route of the railway. He also wanted to know how much had been taken for Native park lands ? Mr Ballance replied that the amount expended so far was L 42,540. The Waimarino block which was acquired ran for thirty miles on each side of the line. In reply to Dr Newman, Mr Ballance said that L 7.000 was the amount already paid, but L 45,000 would be the total qost of the land. June 8. Municipal Buildings at Port Chalmers. While the Public Revenues Bill was under discussion this morning Mr Sosa asked whether the item of public buildings L 15,000 included last year’s vote of L7OO for public buildings at Port Chalmers. The Minister of Works replied that it was not included; it was not intended that the money should be expended. Mr Boss then asked whe'her he was to understand that this work would not be proceeded with before the meeting of the next Parliament, and Mr Richardson gave a distinct pledge that it would not. With this prom : se the chairman of the Harbor Board expressed his entire satisfaction. “ Our Humble Thanks” A kindly reference to the Evening Stab was made by Mr Bruce last night while alluding to the discouragement given by the methods of the Government to capital coming here for investment. He repeated the story that had been told last year in you* columns. The Premier laughed aloud, whereupon Mr Bruce said that even the Premier ought to admit that tbe Evening Stab was one of the most intelligent and influential newspapers in the Colony—a sentiment which received general assent. Railway Boards. Mr Richardson’s Railway Boards Bill provides for tho establishment of three railway boards of advice, one for Auckland, with three members ; one for Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, and Wellington, with five members; and one for Otago and Canterbury, with five members. The Minister of Works is to be cx officio member of each board. The members hold seats for two years. The boards, besides other functions, will recommend the construction of branch railways or the extension of existing lines, and the reduction or increase of, officers, and their recommendations shall be submitted to Parliament; but the Minister has authority to act ad interim. on the recommendation of a board if he chooses. The board within the united districts of Canterbury and Otago is to be elected as follows: one member by the several Chambers collectively within the said united district; one by the chairmen collectively of the several counties within the Provincial District of Canterbury, including therein the County of Amuri; one by the Mayors collectively of all the boroughs within territorial limits of or on borders of the last aforesaid counties as aforesaid; me by the chairmen collectively of the several counties within Otago, but excluding therefrom the counties of Maniototo, Vincent, and Peninsula, and one to be elected by (he Mayors collectively of all the boroughs within the territorial limits of or on the borders

iff the last aforesaid counties, ® xcl “®'{ o h ? aforesaid. The bo ml shall assemble and Ami throa meetings during every Fnod nterven n between any two consecutm> me'*“«■ ot *“ General Assembly. One of the tt d meeting shall be held consecutively m the cities o Dunedin, Christchurch, and Invercargill m th order herein mentioned. Mr Bruce’s Little Joke. During tho course of the debate on the villagi settlements last night, Mr Bruce mentions that a gentleman, after visiting Canada oik America, came here with L 50.000, with tin intention, of settling in the Cqlony ; but, or hearing of the existence of Sir G. Grey’s Lane Requisition Bill, he’ hurriedly left, taking hii iponey with ,him. The Premier was sceptica apparently, and asked for the. name of th( gentleman. M r Bruce replied that, .he didnoi kryyv? Ilia name ; his money was tho main thing. Thereupon someone handed tho member foi Rangitikei a scrap, of paper, and he added: “ 1 am now in a position to tell tho Premier the gentleman’s name. It was Walker." Every one paw the joke and laughed, except Sir R, Stout, who looked strangely about him, wonder ihg what the House wap amused at. The Power of Dissolution. htr Rolleston has just given notice to move to-morrow that the exercise of the prerogative of dissolution under a system of.tdcnnia Parliaments is fraught with great danger to t c independence of Parliament and the successful working of representative institutions in the interests of the people. Who Should “ Doss” the Village Settlements? Assistant Surveyor-General Smith wired to Mr London as follows“ I must decline to suspend Mr Monzies; no charge has been brought against him and Mr Lundon replica: “I have no knowledge of his being an overseer or the date of his appointment, I have to thank you for the permission to make charges in writing, wliich I will do to thy Hon. the Minister of. Lands. In tho meantime I will ask you to suspend Menzics pending tho Ministers decision.” The coirespondence then continues: “Mr Smith to Mr London,-If you have any charges to make against Overseer Menzies since he has been in the Government employ, .and will put the same in writing, a proper inquiry will be made.” Mr Lundon to Mr Smith: "lie Menzios—l am sorry for your reply. I am responsible for the success of the village settlements in this provincial district. The hon. the Minister for Lands informed me by telegraph that you were authorised to give effect to my wishes connected therewith Telegram both yourself and Mr Kcnnisgton has read (?). I have known Menzies longer than you, and have proved him a Judas. I have declined to speak to him for years. The scheme cannot be a success if you appoint persons I will not act with.” Mr Smith to Mr Lundon: “I am responsible for the people I employ, not you, and I have complete trust in the person named ” Mr Luudon to Mr Smith: “ I am informed by Mr Adams, surveyor, and Mr von Stumer, KM,, that George G. Mensies is showing papers from Mr Edwin Fairbalrn that he was aut orised to lay out works and employ men on roads in connection with the Survey Department. I object to him being employed in any capacity connected with special settlements. From previous experience I would not trust him with my old boots.” Here the correspondence ends abruptly. A Canard. Mr Cowan authorises me to give a denial to tho rumor that he is likely to be appointed to the Legislative Council. He says that this is an invention of the enemy, and has been circulated with a view to damaging his candidature for Hokonni, which he seeks to again represent. The End Is Near. Parliament will probably prorogue on Friday. The Southern members leave by Friday’s boat, and the Northerners on Saturday.