POLITICAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 16074, 31 October 1912, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

[Frost Onn Corresi'OXdk.vt.] WELLINGTON, October 30. HOLIDAY EXCURSION FARES. In reply to Mr Laurenson, Mr Herries stated that he was unable, for financial reasons, to extend the holiday excursion rates during tho Christmas and New Year holidays to a later date than at present available, as it would very materially affect tho revenue of the Railway Department. TONS OF BEER. , Someone suggested that Mr Isitt had been hoaxed when lie gave notice to a3k the Minister of Railways “ whether it is a fact that the Railway Department is carrying beer at the rate of four hogsheads to the ton, the actual weight’ being 24cwt, and if this is tho enso why is the Government granting this to this powerful aiid wealthy monopoly?” The member for Christchurch North faced the laughter of a section of liis colleagues with equanimity. Flo said ho was determined at any rate to get at the truth of the matter. PRECAUTIONS SUGGESTED. Following up suggestions he has already made in Parliament, the Hon D. Buddo has tabled a question to the Minister in charge of mental hospitals, whether he will issue regulations under the Mental Hospitals Act. providing that no mental patients be finally comniited to the hospital until they have 1 beon at least seven days under observation. and that in all cases the relatives of the patients be communicated with if they reside in tho dominiou and their addresses aro known. Mr Buddo mentions that in a recent committal to the Christchurch Mental Hospital the Act was strictly complied with. Tho patient was finally committed to the hospital within a few hours of liis arrival in Lyttelton from Australia without his relatives being informed of tho pronosal. though they only lived twen-ty-six miles away and their addresses wero known, and though the patient was so weak that- he had to be assisted into the railway carriage. HAROLD DENTON'S CASE. “ A report has been called for on this case, and when it is received the matter will receive careful consideration,” stated tho Minister of Justice in reply to Mr Lanreason’s question whether bo propov-c to reduce tlio sentence passed on 1-7 sr old Denton, who was recently imprisoned for causing an obstruction at the Clock Tower, Christchurch. SHELTER SHED AT OTIRA. As a result of representations by tho member for Westland, the Railway Department will erect a shelter shed at Otiro similar to that placed at Bealey for tho convenience of passengers transferring from tho train to coaches.