POLITICAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 11053, 3 September 1896, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 2. RAILWAY BATES ON BRANCH BINES. Major Steward, In asking the Minister of Railways if he was prepared to equalise the rates charged on the Oamaru-Knrow lino to those charged on the main line, said that the question referred to the extra rate charged on produce on all branch lines, and arose out of the condition of things before the district railways were purchased. He thought that the Minister should remove the differential rates on these lines. In reply, the Hon A. J. Cadman said that no complaints had been received by the Department respecting this extra rate on the. branch mentioned. The extra rate will have to he charged at present, but he intended, if the railway revenue kept up, to make a suggestion to the Cabinet to take off the penny extra per ton on produce. BURNHAM INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. Mr Meredith, while the estimates were under discussion last night, referring to the charges made against the management

of the Burnham Industrial School, said a friend of his had recently paid a surprise visit to that institution, and found affairs in a satisfactory condition. He thought that, in justice to the institution, this fact should bo known* Mr Willis, again brought up the case of a boy whose discharge from.'the ■; school' had been ■ delayed, and intimated that the Premier had informed:'him that the boy would now be unconditionally discharged. The said that the father of the boy was now asking for wages earned by his son as compensation. This, the Premier considered, was carrying the matter to an absurd extreme. Mr Willis explained that the boy had been working for two or three months outside the school, but was subsequently employed by the manager as groom. The father considered that as he was paying for the boy’s maintenance at the school, he was entitled to some compensation. T|IE LOAN PROPOSALS. In his speech on the third reading of the Loan Bill to-night, Mr Collins plainly indicated his attitude towards that measure. He said that those who generally supported the Bill on its second reading, did so under the impression that amendments would be possible. He approved of borrowing for the purpose of constructing roads and purchasing Native lands, but opposed raising money for goldfields, scenery or railways. Ho could not support the measure, as he dared not allow his fealty to the Ministry to come between him and his loyalty to the country. If he voted for the third reading of the Bill and thereby tacitly agreed to the allocation of the money it would be the basest treachery on his part to the colony. Unless the Ministry assured him that the votes for scenery, goldfields and railways were altered he would not support the measure. SUNNYSIDE ASYLUM. At an early hour on Wednesday morning, when the lunacy estimates were under discussion, Mr Russell referred to the unsatisfactory answer he got from the Minister respecting the charges he brought against the management of the Sunnyside Asylum, and expressed the opinion that there was no worse sweating institution in the colony. He said that the superintendent was a regular " grind,” and his attempts to work the estate as a farm set at defiance the just rights of the patients. Mr Bell characterised Mr Russell’s action in bringing complaints to the House as mischievous, and tending to provoke and encourage insubordination. He (Mr Bell) believed that Mr Russell did this deliberately, and considered it unworthy of the member for Riccarton. The Premier intimated that the superintendent must 'have sole control of the attendants. Mr Russell’s motion to reduce the superintendent’s salary was negatived. RENT OP CROWN LANDS. The Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make regarding the petition of Duncan Matheson and others praying that the rent of sections in the Canterbury province should be reduced. TELEGRAMS COMMITTEE. The Copyright Telegrams Committee met this morning - . Mr Joseph Ivess was examined, and gave evidence respecting the fees demanded by the Press Association. A communication vas read from the Association questioning the right of the Committee to investigate its business. The Committee could not see its way to grant the re'quest of the Association to be represented by counsel at the Committee’s meetings.