WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10219, 13 December 1893, Page 6

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Ffbom our own correspondent.l ■ WELLINGTON, Dec. 12. The three daily papers are agreed that there is no necessity for a summer session of Parlirtuioafc. The plane for the improvement of the grounds of the Parliamentary buildings make provision for the formation of a bowling green 110 ft by -16 ft, between the Legislative Council Chamber and the Parliamentary tenuis court. The Premier and Miss Seddon leave by the Hinemoa on Thursday, e» route for Kumara. Mr Ward ami probably Mr Beeves go south on. the same day, and Mr M’Kenzie will either, accompany or follow them. Mr Carroll will return to the E-ist Coast at the beginning of next week. Mr Cadman will arrivo here at the end of the week, and Sir P. A. Buckley will remove to Wellington during the holidays. A correspondent of the Times, who slates that ho has had occasion to carefully study the provisions of the Alcoholic Liquors i Sale Control Act, says : "For the purposes of the toll it is enacted that only half the electors need vote. If three-fifths of that half are in favour of abolishing all licenses they are to be abolished. Now three-fifths of a half are three-tonths. That is somewhat less than a third j consequently temperance people may be able to shut up the hotels, not by a bare majority as they insist, but by something less than a third. And, further, now that dead and absent electors are removed from the roll the old vis inertia: of not voting at all will tell against instead of for the liquor people. It may be taken as beyond question that half the electors will vote. The process of purging will, toll mostly, on the men and reduce their numbers almost to an equality; in largo towns at any rata, _ with the woman. The latter, thus forming nearly one-half of a solid temperance ticket, are sure to turn up at the booths in full force.” Ministers discussed the policy in Cabinet to-day. [Pita. Press Association. ! Government has decided to send a reply to the Midland Sail way Company, in conformity with the resolutions passed by the House last session. : 1 The Hinemoa leaves for Lyttelton. on Thursday, to take the Governor to Akaroa. He will be accompanied by the Hons W. Montgomery.and W. P. Reeves. ■ The Hon J. G. Ward will collect statistics and information bearing upon the prospects of trade with Canada, and will make a recommendation to the Cabinet on the subject. The Premier leaves for Kumara via Christchurch on Thursday by the Hinemoa, and will spend Christmas at home and celebrate hia silver wedding on Jan. ,18. He returns hero in five weeks. The Colonial Treasurer leaves for Invercargill on Thursday. The Colonial Secretary has postponed his visit Home until after the holidays. The Minister for Justice ia expected here at the end of the week.

Ministers were in Cabinet all day, discussing some of the measures to be introduced next session. Among these were tho Labour Bilk rejected by the Council during list session, and these, with probably alight modifications, will be introduced at an early date ; also the Land for Settlements Bill, the Railway Bill, the Betterment Bill and others, besides a measure providing for giving offset to the Premier’s proposal for leading money to farmers at a cheap rata of interest. Another question discussed to-day was tho increase of the Native Land Court Judges, but nothing definite was decided. The question of appointments to the Legislative Council, and also that of Railway Commissioners, will stind over until Ministers reassemble about the middle of January. The Colonial Secretary and the Minister for Lauda remain in charge of departmental affairs alter to-morrow until De*o. 22, when the Minister for Justice will relieve the latter, who journeys south.