POLITICAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10103, 31 July 1893, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

[from OUR 6PECIAX. COBBESrOETDENT.]

WELLINGTON, July 29.

The Hons J. M’Kenzie and J. Carroll, Mr Wilson, M.H.E, and others, left by train this morning to inspect a block of Native land in the vicinity of Palmerston North, which is open, for purchase by Government, and which is of special value, ns it is in a condition making it available for immediate settlement. July 30. It is stated that Sir R. Stout has definitely resolved to contest Inangahua at the general election, and that m consequence Major Franklin, who spoke of wooing the suffrages of the electors of that district, will instead he a candidate for Nelson. More members are absent from their Parliamentary duties this session than is ordinarily the case. Sir G. Grey and Mr Fergus have not yet arrived; while others are absent on business and for other reasons. Among the absentees is Mr Wright, who has gone south because of illness in his family. Two places are vacant by the resignations of Messrs Cadman and Rees. la all eleven members are at the present time absent from Wellington, The Financial debate, which recently closed, was by no means so protracted as some previous debates on similar occasions. It extended over sixty-two hours, of which thirty-two hours forty minutes were occupied by twenty-seven Ministerialist speakers, and twenty-nine hours twenty minutes by twenty Oppositionists. A rumour which has been circulated, to the effect that tho notorious convict Butler had been liberated, appears to have caused some alarm in tho south. It may therefore be well to mention what I hear on good authority, viz., that he has not been liberated, and that there ia no fear of him being loosed on the community. It will he remembered that there was a question put in the House on the subject last session, when it was hinted that Butler would, on the expiry of hia term, be sent out of the Colony by the authorities. THE AUCKLAND ELECTION. There is consderable talk of an attempt of the Native members of the House to influence the Racs-Cudman contest at Auckland. In the course of the financial debate Mr Taipua made a severe attack on Mr Cadman. I am informed that other Native members reseat this. There was an understanding among them that nothing-iiouid bo said about Mr Cadman dur ng his ab.-once. Mr Parata, eays that he and a great body of Natives esteem Mr Cadman aa the best Native Minister the Colony ever had. [Pee, Peess Association.] AUCKLAND. July 29. The Auckland Knights of Labour wired to the Danevirke branch, asking the opinion of the people on the spot in regard to the merit of the issues between Messrs Rees and Cadman, and received a reply that Mr Cadman’e connection with tho Umutaoroa Block was evorything that was honest and just. Tho reply recommended the Auckland Knights to extend him their support. Mr Eeea has arranged a meeting of Friendly and Temperance Societies,