POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 81, 17 December 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(own cobrespomdeht.') Wbzwnotos, yesterday. kfr R. Thompson has given notice to ask the Government it they will have any objeo. tion to bringing in a Bill next session to construct the North of Auckland railway on the land grant principle. The Education Committee have no recommendation to make on the petitions for State aid towards denominational schools, as the question is before Parliament. The three Native Land" Bills have passed through the Upper House. There is some opposition being made to the Harbor Bill in the Local Bills. Committee of the Legislative Council. '

Mr Turnbull has intimated that he will move the following clause when the House goes into Committee on the Property Tax Bill i—“ That every person who has resided in the oolony for six months during the twelve months previous to the date of the property tax being payable shall, if he pays the tax on the due date thereof, be entitled to a deduction therefrom of 20 per cent."

It is said that several members of the Legislative Council have signified their intention of resigning their seats in ooubbqueuoe of the decision of the Council to reduce the honorarium. The Hon Dr Pollen has, it is alleged, already sent in his resignation, but this is understood to be in con.-equence of certain offiusive remarks made concerning him-elf in the Council. A petition from the Wellington Radical Reform Association has been presented by Dr Newman. It prays that either a personal canvass, or canvass by agents or committees, sh JI render void any candidate’s eleotiou ; also, that the “show of hands ” at nomin itions should be discontinued.

Mr Graham wishes to know the annual cost for the past three years of the visits of the Napier B.M. to Wairoa. Sir Julius Vogel intends to ask the Minuter for Public Works whether he will take into favourable considetation the question of abandoning the practice in future contracts for public works of allowing cement and other materials to be introduced free of duty. The clause which was in the Land Bill as introduced providing for the abolition of Land Boards was struck out by four votes to three. The minority comprised the Hon Mr Richardson, aud Messrs A. Ross and Macarthur. The whole of those who voted for the retention of the Boards—Messrs Cowan, O'Callaghan, J. McKenzie and Jones, with the exception of Mr Jones—are members of Land Boards. Comment is needless.