WELLINGTON.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8737, 26 November 1896, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

November 24. In the course of a political speech fconighfc Sir R. Sfcoub referred bo bhe Premier's recenb remarks ab Hokitika on Colonel Fraser's appointment as Sergeaufc-afc-Arms, and expressed surprise ab his referring to the matter again, as he thought ib was dead. Sir Robert contended that the reason why Mr C. 0. N; Barron, late chief of tho Hansard staff, could ?eb no compensation was thafc under the Civil Service Act of 1866 ifc was specially provided fchafc no officer of Parliamenb came under bhab sbafcufce. The appointment of Colonel Fraser, however, did not depend on that statute, but fche Disqualification Act of 1878, which provides thafc no member of Parliament can for twelve months after he ceases to he a member become a paid official of fche Government; therefore ifc would be seen thafc Mr Barron's case had no bearing on the Sergeant-at-Arms' case at all. The Supreme Court was occupied the whole day hearing evidence m fche charge againsb Joseph Kennedy of attempting to maim Timothy O'Gorman afc Pahiatua. The jury retired at 9 p m., and afber a couple of hours' deliberation returned with a verdicb of not guilty, and fche prisoner *»tas discharged.