POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 38, 21 August 1880, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

TARANAKI HARBOR INQUIRY.

[SPECttMiY. TELEfcftArHED 10 SiAH.]

(feom our own corbespondent.)

Wellington, Friday night.

It is now well understood that, in accordance with the resolution brought forward by the Hon. Mr. Watorhouse, and carried in the Legislative Council, in reference to the Taranaki Harbor Board, that the Government is bringing considerable pressure to bear to induce the Board to apply the towards the liquidation of the interest and sinking fund of the debt incurred. If this is rigorously insisted upon, both now and in the futui'e, it is exceedingly unlikely that any rate need be levied. I assume that the land sales would continue during the currency of the loan. If not, a rate to cover the interest and sinking fund might he needed. With the sale of the Waimate Plains promised within the next few weeks, there can be no immediate risk of a rate being levied. This is the view expressed by those who ought to know.

The Maori members are now opposing the Native Land Sales Bill, of which Mr. Bryce has just said that unless it ispasre I nearly in its present forra, it must be dropped, because the time is so short. Mr. Sheehan speaks to-night on the West Coast Settlement Bill, which Sir tt. Grey and many of the Opposition agree to support, although most of them object strongly to the summary powers of arrest and imprisonment proposed.

Later.

I omitted to mention that the Hon. Mr. Bryce, in his speech last night, did not favor the tormation of military settlements on the Waimate Plains, but strongly advocated the occupation of the land north of the Waingongoro river by a numerous body of settlers, protected by a sufficient military force hi the neighborhood.