POLITICAL ITEMS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume 26, Issue 1337, 10 August 1895, Page 3

POLITICAL ITEMS.

A BBIEZK. Mt T. Mackenzie asked why the sleepers had beeu brought from the West Coast for the Catlins railway when very good ones could be got in the district. The Premier replied that only 300 totara sleepers had been supplied at 2s 9d, while the West Coast silver pine, cost 3s lsd landed but lasted twice as 1 long". - M : Did you offer to take kowhai ? Premier : No ! None of these coma near the West Coast timber for quality. Mr Mackenzie : Ton are entirely wrong, kowhai will last ten timesas long as your wretched West Coast timbers. Mr J. ~W. Kelly (who has lately left the Ministerial fold): ■ What do you say they charge for totara in the South ? Premier :3s 6d. Mr Kelly : You are entirely wrong. Contractors in Southland are now supplying the best totara sleepers at 2s 6d ! Premier : You are wrong. They are not! Mr Kelly: I know I am absolutely right and can produce documentary evidence to that effect. Mr Mackenzie: There is crooked work about it ! The Speaker : This discussion must stop. GENERAL. Mr Seddon last week informed a deputation of North Island members, supporters of the Government, that the Local Govern-' ment Bill was then receiving, its final revision, aind would probably be in the hands of members in a week's time. Rumours of more banking legislation are current in the House. The Tainui brought 1000 Martini-Henris for volunteers, and 3000 more arrive before the end of the year. ; The Waste Lands Committee have no recommendation to make as to the petition praying for a revaluation of the Pomahaka Estate. ■- The Petitions Committee recommend the petition of the Women's Christian Temperance Union for the establishment ot inebriate homes to the Government for favourable considers tion.

The Government intend to go in for forest planting this yeir. There is a magnificent opening on the Maniototo Plains for activity in this direction. '

The Government have decided to appoint an officer in London to watch the interests of the colony in the frozen meat trade. It would be his duty to report on the condition of meat on arrival, the system of selection by butchers,, the difference in price between first and second selection, and per centage of carcases rejected as unfit for food before reaching retailers. There are now 36 officers attached to the Government Advances to Settlers Office, and £7650 is asked for the management account this year. This looks as if the management of this Department were to be enormously high. ..

Complaints and petitions against the new tariff coutinue to pour in from every quarter.