POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 8609, 1 September 1891, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Oxtb. Pabuamentabv Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 81. Tbe Mines Statement. The Minister of Mines intends to lay his Statement on the table of the House tomorrow. It deals largely with his visits to the various goldfields during last year. The Land Bill was farther considered in aommitteo by the House to-night. The clauses in regard to small grazing runs were first attacked, and a long discussion arose as to clause 163, which directs that each run shall be submitted to auotion. Mr M'lntosh moved to substitute the ballot for suction, Mr Rolleston strongly appealed to the Minister to stick to the original provision ; but on the question being put the Chairman of Committees deolared that the word " auction " had been etruok out. The Minister of Lands then wanted to postpone the clause, but the chairman ruled that that could not be done. It was evident that tbe Minister had not anticipated a contretemps of the excision of the word, for he stated that he would afterward move to recommit the Bill, in order to consider the matter afresh. Ultimately the words " allo-

cation by ballot" were substituted for those which had been struck out, and the clause then passed. The "one-man-one-run" clause was the next cause of tronbls. Mr Valentine moved to strike it out, but after a good deal of discussion this was negatived by 38 to 13. All the remainder of tbe original Bill passed with the amendments made by the Waste Lands Committee. Several unopposed new clauses proposed by the Committee were added, but none of them contained matters of importance. Dr Newman's new clause, that a block of 5,000 acres should be set apart to be owned and worked on co-operative principles, was inserted on the voices. The amendments will be considered tomorrow.

September 1. The Asrent-Qeneralsblp. In the lobbies it is generally understood that Mr Perceval is to be the Agent-General, and he in facetiously called the "General Agent." Tbe Opposition Leadership. Although Mr Rolleston acted as Leader of the Opposition yesterday, no successor to the late member for Waikato has been appointed as yet. A large section of the party, including Messrs G. F. Richardson and Valentine, are opposed to the member for Avon in consequence of his extreme views on the land question, and are pressing the claims of Captain Russell as their chief. Sir John Hall is generally thought to be the most suitable man, but owing to ill-health he feels himself compelled to decline the position. 3lr Bryce. Mr Bryce had intended returning to Wanganui, but, at the in&tanoe of his late supporters, he remains here till after Saturday, when it is intended to entertain him at dinner, and give him a "send off." The ex-member for Waikato will not personally visit his late constituents, but will forward them a valedictory address. He declares in most emphatic terms that he will never itonter the House till the resolution of censure is expunged. Jottlnars. Tho Hon. Mr Fergus, Mr T. K. Macdonald, and the Minister of Works have been appointed by the House to confer with the managers from the Council in connection with the Auctioneers Bill. Mr Carroll and Mr Jackson Palmer walked out of the lobbies when the vote was taken last night on Mr Rolleston'a amendment, while Mr Mills (Port Chalmers) was absent

from the House unpaired. The Customs revenue last month was L 150,000, beiDg the largest monthly return for many years. The Public Works Statement is expeoted to be brought down on Thursday. A Compliment. Speaking as Acting Leader of the Opposition, Mr Rolleston yesterday referred in the House to the Evening Star's report of Thursday's proceedings as the most trustworthy one published, and quoted from it at length. Several leading members on both sides of the House have expressed to me their concurrence in Mr Rolleston'a opinion. Added to the Lint. The Council will certainly rejeot the Friendly Socittics Amendment Bill, which was directed against the Uoion Company's Mutual Benefit Scheme. Tho Bill has hcen discovered to be more far-reaching in its scope than it was intended to be. The Mining Industry. In his Mines Statement the Hon. Mr Seddon states that last year's yield from gold mining was the lowest yet recorded, but this was to eome extent attributable to the extremely dry season, which prevented hydraulic sluicing operations being carried 00. The percentage cf gold is greater on the West Coast and in Auckland districts, and

less in the other districts, than it was for the previous year. He con6dently anticipates that, as the mining industry advances, it will regain its former poation as a moat prominent factor in adding to the prosperity and future greatness of the colony. The >atlve Land Bill. At to day's meeting of the Native Land Bill Committee a proposal to shelve the Bill for the session was defeated by a small majority, a resolution being carried adjourning consideration of the measure till tomorrow, to enable the Native members to submit certain amendments, upon the adoption or rejection of which their support of the Bill will depend. Too Great a Sacrifice. I have the best authority for siying that Major Steward wrote a private letter to Mr Bryce last Saturday night offering to retire from the Speakership if that would restore matters to the status quo. Purchase of Native Lanils. Since Mr Cadman took office as Native Minister the Government have purchased 800,000 acres of land from the Natives for settlement purposes. These blockß will shortly be thrown open for occupation under the new land laws. The average cost oi the Iced was 8s Gd per aore. The Otago School of Mines.

The following is an extract from the statement made by the Minister of Mines to-day, and it has reference to the Otago School of Mines:—'' Negotiations will shortly be entered into with the Chancellor with the object of getting night classes held at the School of Mines in connection with the University of Otago, where similar subjects can be taught as at the Thames School, and candidates be prepared for mine managers' examination; also, that assays of any mineral or metalliferous ore from Otago and Southland shall be made on the same terms aa those charged in the other schools of mines. If this can be carried out a subsidy will be granted." Leadership of the Opposition. . . The Opposition •"•?*" ""•tV"? X-Twi „ £"aacr, and the choice will, I think, fall on Mr Rolleßton.