POLITICAL GOSSIP

Evening Star, Issue 7651, 29 June 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP

|From Ohr Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, Jitsr 28. BalliftH at Elections. The Minister of Justice informs MiKelly that the Resident Magistrate's Court bailiffs are not subject to the Act which forbids Civil servants from taking part in political proceedings. He thinks, however, that it is exceedingly improper that they should join in political movements, and promises to take steps to prevent a recurrence of any case brought under his notiee. Absent Legislative Councillors. In prosecuting his efforts to unseat certain Legislative Councillors because they were absent from their duties for a lengthened term without leave, the Hon. J. Wilson is acting with great persistency. To-day he moved for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire and report whether Sir 1?. Whitaker, the Hon. Mr Pharazyn, Hon. R. Oliver, and Hon. G. M. Waterhouse are disqualified from fitting and voting in the Council. The Speaker said that there was a difficulty in putting the motion as it stood on the Order Paper, as it was opposed to the Standing Orders. There was a proper mode of procedure, and that was that an address be presented to His Excelj lency asking the Governor to recommend [ the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the matter. The Hon. Mr Wilson accepted the ruling of the Speaker, and intimated his intention of adopting that oourse. Crown Lands Tenants. Quite a host of deferred-payment settlers recently petitioned for re-valuations of their lands and readjustments of their financial positions with the Government. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom their grievances were referred, have reported recommending that as relief may be given to the petitioners by the Pair Rents Bill now before Parliament the Committee have no recommendation to make. Village Homestead Special System. Since this system wus introduced 1,269 settlers have taken up land to the extent of 39,405 acres. There have been 2. r >, r ) forfeitures, 71 transfers, and fil persons have abandoned their holdings. At the present time, 975 of the original selectors still retain their holdings, which aggregate 30,107 acres. The amount in arrears on March 31 last was L 278. The Fisheries Act. The Fisheries Conservation Act Amendment Bill, which is a comprehensive measure recently introduced by the Minister of Marine, is not to be persevered with this session ; but during the rjcess the Government will submit the matter of the fresh water fishing to the acclimatisation societies and others interested. It is hoped that these bodieß will confer and make suggestions to the Government on the subject. Re-establishment of Distilleries. Judging by the speeches made in a spirited discussion which took place this afternoon, a majority of the House are favorably disposed to the re-establishment of distilleries. The discussion arose through a reply by the Premier to the effect that the Government could not hold out any hopes at present of dealing with this question. Some years ago distilleries were established in the colony, and the experiment did not prove a success. Thereupon Mr Kerr suggested that wjth the view of aiding the farming community the Government should afford some encouragement to distillation, and pointed out that if the system at that time in vogue in Scotland—viz., that all spirits distilled in the place were to be exported—no complaint could be made on the ground that the residents of the colony were being injured by being supplied with an inferior home-made article. Messrs T, Mackenzie, Valentine, Larnach, Levestam, R. Reeves, Feldwick, Cowan, and others urged that encouragement should be given to the distilling industry, and it was alleged that when the Dunedin distillery made whisky the article was of the very best quality. Opposition to the re-enactment of the Distillation Act came from Messrs M'Gregor, Hobbß, Goldie, and Anderson. The member for Akaroa said that he spoke with some authority on the subject, having had charge of the first distillery established in Dunedin, and he was distinctly of opinion that to re-enact the Act would be a mistake. The hon. gentleman pointed out that illicit distilling now went on, and he thought that the re-establishment of distilleries would tend to an inorease of the drinking habits of the people. Mr Blake took advantage of the opportunity to read the House a temperance lecture, in the course of which he said that, though a farmer, he should consider himself disgraoed were he to entertain the idea that he was making money at the expense of the misery and degradation which drinking caused. No further Ministerial explanation was forthcoming, but doubtless the Cabinet will take the question into consideration during the recess. Railway Tickets. The idea Dr Fitchett holds that, with a view to making the public better acquainted with the oharges for travelling, the price of the journey should be printed on the railway ticket, does not find favor with the Government. They think that the posting of the fares at the railway stations affords sufficient publicity, and as to the suggestion that railway tickets should be sold at places of business, they point out that on holidays and when excursion trains are run the difficulty of attending to the inoreased traffic is met by small ticket stands being erected. Government Printing Office. In reporting on the new Government Printing Office, Mr Didsbury says that the building is admirably designed for the purposes required, is well lighted and ventilated, and is heated by the hot air process, which secures an even temperature of about GOdeg in every room. The electrio light has been procured and erected under the advice and supervision of Dr Lemon, and will be ready for testing in a few days. The power of each lamp is lfi-candle, and provision is made for 260 lamps being used in the building. The new engines ana boiler were manufactured by Cable and Co., of Wellington, and it is satisfactory to learn that after undergoing tests they proved suitable in every respect. During the past year work to the value of L 27,933 was executed by the department. The cash receipts from ' Gazette' advertisements and sale of official publications amounted to L 2.697, as against L 1,576 for the previous year. In view of the upward tendency of the paper market in England, it is recommended that an appreciable reduction be made in the number of copies printed of Parliamentary papers, Bills, 'Gazettes,'etc., and the free issue be curtailed. It is noteworthy that Victoria, as a rule, issues half the number usually printed in this colony. The average number of employes in the place has been 145. ' The Disputed Honorarium. The Council have affirmed that certain members resident near Wellington were perfectly justified in drawing L 25 for expenses after the last session of Parliament; that the demand by the Government for the repayment of the money was premature ; and that it is a matter of regret that these sums had been repaid until the right of the Treasury to such repayment had been tested in the Supreme Court. It was j further resolved that" it is the duty of the i Government to prevent the possible recurrence of a transaction of so undesirable a character by introducing a Bill making such amendment in the Parliamentary Honorarium Privileges Act of last session as may effectually remove' all ambiguities (real or imaginary) in < that Act. These resolutions were opposed by the Attorney-General, but were carried by 20 to 6. The Statute of Limitations. With respect to the petition of J. P. Oakes, who claims awards for various alleged discoveries of gold, the Goldfields Committee haye reported that, having passed a resolution limiting the period for claiming rewards for the discoveries of gold to twelve months from the date of such discoveries, they cannot entertain the petition, Challenging a Judicial Decision. Just before the dinner adjournment today Mr Lanoe asked the Minister for Lands without notice whether his attention had been oalled to the following telegram which had appeared in that morning's paper:— "In the Supreme Court to-day Mr Justioe Ward quashed the conviction of Mr Wachmann, manager of Hopefield station, who had been fined LSO by Mr C. White-

foord, R.M., for not having made suflicient exertions to clear certain sheep from scab. There, wvve -100 sheep in the Hock, but it was not shown that all were actually infected. The Judge held that it must be shown that the sheep were actually and not merely technically scabby." He said that this ruling upset a decision which had been in force for ten years ; and to say that every sheep in a flock must be infected before a conviction could be obtained seemed to him perfectly ridiculous. The Hon. Mr Richardson replied that he had noticed the decision in the morning paper, and, recognising the importance of it, he had caused inquiries to be made with the view of ascertaining whether the report was correct. If it was, it was clear that some amendment of the Sheep Act was necessary, because it would be impossible to convict in any case; for, as everybody knew, it could not be shown that every sheep in a flock was infected. As he had stated, inquiries were being made as to the correctness of the report of His Honor's ruling. No Claim. Samuel Morrison, an ex-warder in the Dunedin Gaol, having petitioned for compensation for loss of employment, the , Public Petitions Committee have considered his claim, and report that he has no claim against the colony. The School Commissioners. In consequence of some remarks recently made in the House by Mr Duncan, M.H.R., regarding the leasing of section 23, block 5, Maerawhenua district, by the Otago High School Commissioners, the Minister of Education wrote to the latter Board to the following effect:—" The statement made is of so serious a nature that the Minister thinks it necessary that you should be asked to place him in possession of the facts attending the leasing of the land referred to by Mr Duncan, its surrender, and its subsequent lease to Mr Campbell. As the question of the administration of the school reserves has engaged the attention of the Legislature, and much dissatisfaction has been expressed with it, the Minister hopes that you will see the advisableness of enabling him to inform the House fully of the circumstances. The Minister trusts that you will oommunicate with him at the earliest possible date." The Commissioners have replied pointing out that in September, 1883, the land was offered for fourteen years at an upset of 2s per acre, which was considered its value, and after competition was leased to Messrs R. Campbell and Sons for 58 lOd per acre. About two years later Messrs Campbell and Sons applied for a substantial reduction in the rent, or to accept a surrender of the lease, stating that it was impossible to make the rent they were then paying out of the land. That the Commissioners had reason to believe that the competition for the land, when offered in 1883, was caused by parties wishing to take a crop or two of wheat, for that cereal was commanding a high price at that time, and had it been leased to them instead of to the present tenants they would probably have thrown it up after paying a year's rent. That after duly considering the matter the Commissioners decided to accept a surrender of the lease, as requested, on condition that the tenants undertook to bid the upset of 2s per acre, which they considered a very fair rental; and as there were no other reserves in the North Otago district open for lease at the time, the sale was held in Dunedin. That there being no competition the land was leased to Messrs Campbell and Son at 2s per acre for a term of fourteen yearsj That the sale was thoroughly advertised for thirty days, and due publication given tp it. With reference to Mr Duucan's remarks, and the action of the attorney of Messrs Campbell and Sons in connection with the surrender of the section, the Commissioners point out that the gentleman (Mr A. C. Begg), although one of the School Commissioners, took no part whatever in the discussion or decision arrived at by the members. The charge of treating the Oamaru Press unfairly in regard to advertising is also completely disproved. A Lapsus Llngufe. A palpable bull was committed by Mr Levestam this afternoon. Speaking to the distillation question, he convulsed the House by emphatically declaring that the whisky brewed in New Zealand a few years ago was the finest imported into the colony. Freight on Fruit. A deputation of members to urge on the Minister of Works the importance of reducing the freight on fruit is being arranged by Mr Pyke. Already sixty members have signed a communication to the Hon. Mr Mitohelson, couched in the following terms: —" We have to request you to receive a deputation of members on Monday to urge the expediency of greatly reducing the railway rates for fruit. As many of us may be unable to attend, we desire to say that we are heartily in aoeord with the views of the gentlemen who will form the deputation. In our judgment one of the best forms of protection to our fruit-growers would be the conveyance of their fruit at nominal rates." A meeting is to be held to-morrow forenoon to appoint the deputation, The Awarua'B Sealing Cruise. The sealing oruise of the Awarua, and the connection therewith of Mr Joseph Hatch, ex-member for Invercargill, are now engaging the attention of Ministers. They are making inquiries in respect to the case of illegal sealing at the Auckland Islands; but of course do not feel warranted in stating what steps they are taking. As the Minister for Marine points out, information must be laid, except in cases of misdemeanor, within six months of the commission of the offence, and the circumstances of the Awarua's expedition render it extremely doubtful whether a prosecution, if instituted, would be successful. The Government, however, quite recognise the importance of the seal fisheries of the South Island, and will use every endeavor to have them properly conserved. Clubs in Hotels. The Government find that it is impossible to give effect to the resolution recently passed by the House as to the immediate cancelling of the charters of clubs who hold their meetings in hotels, unless an evasion of the Licensing Act is proved; but it is not intended in future to grant licenses to clubs whioh have their meetings in licensed houses. A Tax on Bachelors.

la inquiring whether the Government would consider the advisability of imposing a tax on bachelors, Mr Bruce, who is yet unmarried, this afternoon expressed the opinion that bachelors lived in a state of luxury, and therefore ought to be taxed. The Premier dissented from this view, and, speaking with the authority of a Benedict of lone standing, gave it as his opinion that, instead of a bachelor's life being one of luxury, it' was more like leading a life of wickedness', 1 and ought to be made penal. The Government, he added, had no intention of raising further taxation at the present time, but, should the' necessity arise, next session the wrongs of leading a bachelor's life would receive consideration/ Dr Fitchett raised a laugh by suggesting that, in the event of a Bachelors Bill being introduced, a clause should be inserted exempting those who had been or were engaged at the time. North Island Route. The battle of tlie~ routes session in connection with the construction of the North Island Trunk 'Railway promises to be a very lively one. The Wellington people have taken the intention of the Auckland members to bring in a Bill to repeal the present Act very muohto heart) and the 'Post' tcnight>says :' "The Aucklanders will find it impossible to do this, as any attempt to move in that direction would, if necessary, be resisted in the Law Courts." Local Bodies' Subsidies. ' The Hon. Dr Pollen is on Tuesday to move —" That in the opinion of the Pouncil it is not advisablei in view of the financial condition and obligations of this colony, that any portion of the public revenue derived from Customs duties should be appropriated or set apart permanently or for a definite period to provide subsidies for local bodies." Hallway Commissioners. The Minister of Public Works took occasion to assure the House this afternoon that there is no truth in the rumor published in the ' Evening Post' that it is the intention of the Government to appoint Colonel j Trimble, of Taranaki, Mr E. G. Wright, of Ashburton, and Mr Nicholls, of Invercargill, or any of them, as Commissioners on the proposed Railway Board.

Scab In Sheep. The Minister of Lands declines, in view of the outbreak of scab in the North, and the inability of the department to stifle the disease in the northern part of the South Islan d, to refer the re ■ organisation of the Sheep Department to the Stock Committee. He sees no reason for such a course, but expresses his willingness to receive recommendations for the improvement of the department from the Committee. Mr Walker, who is moving in the matter, threatens to bring up the whole question before the close of the session.

Women at Licensing Elections. Women's rights were the principal theme of discussion to-night when the House was in Committee on Major Steward's Licensing Committee Election Bill, the object of which is to provide for the triennial election of committees. Mr Fulton now moved the addition of a new clause, to allow all adult femaleß who have lived six months in the district to vote at elections. After a long discussion the second reading of the clause was agreed to by 35 to 27; but Mr Fish, who arrived at this stage, offered vigorous opposition. On the motion that the new clause be added to the Bill, Mr Seddon moved as an amendment that it apply only to married women. Mr Fish again took up the discussion and stonewalled until the time for the supper adjournment arrived. Only ten members were present when the House resumed. Mr Hamlin therefore left the chair, and reported the absence of a quorum to the Speaker, who declared the House adjourned.

The Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill,

which is intended to enable local bodies to fix a license fee for selling game at any sum not exceeding L 5, was read a third time tonight. Mr Fulton intends to endeavor to add a new clause when in Committee with the object of preventing the wholesale slaughter of native ducks for the purposes of trade. Jottings. As the Fisheries Bill is a comprehensive consolidating measure, it is not intended to deal with it this session, Mr Pyke is anxious to know what steps the Government intend taking with a view to granting the franchise to women. Mr Mackenzie is asking the Government to offer encouragement for the cultivation of wattle, It is estimated that the amount of the taxation imposed last night by the schedule to the Customs Bill is close on L 25,000. Messrs Pharazyn, Dr Pollen, Menzies, Hart, Peter M'Lean, and Miller are the Committee appointed by the Legislative Council to inquire into the working of the totalisator.

The Imprest Supply Bill has passed through all its stages in the Council. The proceedings of the Chinese Conference (forwarded to you yesterday) have been laid on the table.

It is not intended to deliver any Mines Statement this session, but the Mines reports will be presented next week.

The Government admit the concessions of duty allowed to people importing carriages, furniture, etc., for private use, but say there was no infraction of the law. Mr Lawry is to ask the Government if they will take into consideration the advisability of compelling oyster-gatherers to obtain licepses from H.M. Customs; such license to be cancelled should the holder be convicted of the act of taking oysters from closed ground without permission. The following new Bills have been given notice of:—The State Forest Act Amendment Bill, the Puhoi Settlers Bill, Public Bodies' Powers Act Amendment Bill, Counties' Boundaries Bill, the Epsom and Mount Eden Recreation Ground Bill, and a Bill to amend the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885. Jpne 29. Land Legislation. The object of the Amending Land Act Bill which the Hon. G. F. Richardson is introducing is to classify purely pastora) land from semi-pastoral, and with the former to give an absolute lease for twenty-one years, and with semi-pastoral a lease under existing terms, with a right to re-entry. It is anticipated that greater security of tenure will thus be afforded, and settlement encouraged. The Bill must be passed this session, as it deals with the pastoral runs, which fall in in May, 1890, and concerning the release of which twelve months' notice is necessary. The Rabbit Conference. The Government were recently advised by Mr Bell, New Zealand representative at the Intercolonial Rabbit Conference, that considerable difficulty was being experienced in dealing with the representatives of M. Pasteur, who were so tightly bound down by their instructions that they did not feel themselves at liberty to sanction such tests of M, Pasteur's remedy as the Conference deemed essential for proving its practical value. The point in dispute was whether the disease was contagious—that is to say, whether the inoculated rabbits would communicate chicken cholera to other rabbits. A cablegram received last night say 8 that the difficulty has now been overcome, and experiments will be made to demonstrate whether the disease is contagious. These experiments will extend over some months, and the representatives at the Rabbit Conference will then reassemble to consider the matter. Mr Bell leaves for New Zealand to-day, The Estimates. Consideration of the Estimates will be taken to -?night, but the third reading of the Tariff Bill cannot be taken before Tuesday. More Retrenchment Needed. Mr Goldie, on behalf of the Retrenchment Committee, has written to the Premier this morning, forwarding him the following resolution passed by them this morning : "That the Government be requested to undertake during the recess further systematic reduction to the extent of LIOO.OOO at least"; and has asked the Premier to name, if possible, some time to-day to accept a deputation of members to consider the resolution.

The deputation to Mr Mitchelson regarding the fruit tariff will probably consist of MessrsPyke.O'Callaghan.CowanjM'Gregor, and Jackson.

School Buildings.

Some comment has been made by the Education Boards upon the circular issued by the department expressing the Minister's disapproval of the use of school buildings for purposes of mere amusement. The reason assigned for taking this course ia that some two or three years ago the department, in order to avoid heavy expenses previously incurred in insuring school buildings, directed that all insurances should be- allowed to lapse, and undertook to re-erect any' buildings that might be destroyed by fire.' Within the"last' few months nearly 1 LB.OOO have been expended in ' rebuilding schools on the West Coast goltlfields and' providing temporary accommodation in the' meantime for them. About a fortnight ago a school was destroyed at Dunrobin (Otago) which will cost about L3OO to re-erect, thd fire having been caused by the bursting of a kerosene lamp used at a dance. It is considered by the department to be only reasonable that, while it is liable to be called upon for such sums, some control should be" exercised. N«> objection is offered to the use of the buildings' for lectures or entertainments for the benefit of'the school, the objection being merely to dances or any use which can be deemed to be improper. '} ' ' *Tbe M6kau Jones' Claim. The Mokau Commissioners have examined Chief Judge Macdonald, Major Messenger! and Surveyor-General M'Kerrow,' ano] pKh ceed to Wangaoui next week to tafce 'the evidence of Natives. Mr Jones still absents himself, and refuses, to' recognise the Commission. • • '' - ; '' i ''