POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 11692, 25 September 1902, Page 4

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

>?EOMAN&Y>FD|t ’ THE J NORTH - £:. ’ , ; f&LAm^^.-v *c ; ' A]dejMthUo£ <1 ofiicenrand returned conreceived offers' of (tolifonm a NewSfiadandcolotty on-theTpgela.River. South Africa, had an in terviCw -with i the aented .that they were considering Mr v Withe -''pf this colony* and wished toknow what land Could be ; had •in the i North Mahd.—Mr Wlthefbrd produced a plan that had been marked at the Survey. Office showing that a,6G,ooo'am^bl(K^w^ ; ivaUablenear-tlie Main .iyttukrimAr4lhd c iMinister v cipreasod his .mliingnes! to arrange that Lku tenants Lbrigan and Wouon should bare an opportunity .of seeing this' and other blocks, of land, and if they thought 'fit they could maks up a paiiy to ftirin a ; spocial settlemect. , Ha' pronused to consider whether any' arrangement could made to ’deal specially with them, but under the existing regulations , they could. take up a certain area, and ballot for it among thenweiyes. Among; the communications-received are one Irom a down South Island troopers, with a capital of£lsoperman andiipwards, who will protwbSy make successful settlers. If the authorities offer reasonable terms Mr Withefdrd beLeves that important accoadous to the faming population of the North Island will follow. :i The fallowing are the Orders for to-day: —Fisheries Corseryal ion Amendment (in .committee), Companies Act Amendment (second reading), Dunedin Savings Bank Profits 'Amendment* (in committee), Law Societies (second reading). DUNEDIN LABOR MARKET. Reporting cn Die. Dunedin labor market, the Inspector of Factories states that 639 factories are now registered, against 614 last year. The employees total 9,577. an increase of 56 only. There seems to bs a general desire on the part of both shop keepers and employees for a definite and universal hour of closin' being decided upon The failing off in the engineering and iron trades is doubtless due to the fact that oruers - for dredge*. and.. dredging material are not now so plentiful. The condition of both trades, however, is now at the normal standard. The prospects of the' buildia ' hade during the coming year look promising. The same remark applies to the textile and clothing trades. ' . SHIPPING AND SEAMEN’S BILL. The Shipping and Seamen’s Committee will probably report this afternoon that they have passed a resolution to curtail the 1 river limits, which are now too large, and will recommend Ministers to appoint a com- • mittee of experts to report thereon. The Bill, as amended, provides that, ships of over 200 tons, carrying cargo only, wiJ be required to carry one man less than is provided in the schedule provided for passenger Ships. A now clause deals with ' claims for pillage and short delivery of i cargo, and makes the master and owner responsible where bills of lading are signed I on their behalf. I understand that the j provision of the Bill in respect to oil i engine vessels is unaltered. The Bill prob-i ably will not be passed .this session, hut j circulated for the information of those I affected, and be proceeded with next ses- j sion.