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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6424, 20 June 1882, Page 4

Although Parliament' was not sitting , yes- : terday, in: another column will be fonnd a igood deal of interesting Parliamentary gossip i from our special correspondent at Wellingiton. He forwards a summary of the proi visions of the amendment on the Licensing Bill which has been; introduced. The pro- ; posed amendment is somewhat comprehensive ■in character. The local option voting is to j : be maintained, but the local bodies will be I relieved of the : expense of administering it, 'if the alterations suggested are given legislative effect to. The cost of polling the ratepayers of any district is to be thrown upon the applicants for the licenses. Wheu there is only one applicant, lie deposit the estimated cost of the poll beforehand, and when there are several applicants, the expenses have to be borne jointly, by them. The neglect to comply with this proviso enables the Licensing Committee to pay no heed to the ■application. It is also proposed that the local: authority, the Borough Council, the County Council, or the trustees of a Road Board district, shall be the Licensing Committee. There . are other proposed alterations which will no 'doubt receive the careful attention of the friends and opponents of the present Licens-, ing Act.. It will be seen that His Excellency the Governor ia to leave the colony for "Fiji on'.. Thursday first by H.M. s; Miranda. That vessel and the s.s. Taiaroa, on her return trip, will reach" ! Levuka probably about- the , same time. The members of the House of Representatives who represent goldfield clisitricts appear to be unusually active this' session. Several meetings have already been held, and the results of such meetings have been presented to the Government. The memorandum agreed/to yesterday was pre'sented to the. Minister for Mines.. In it very extensive alterations of tke laws relating to gold-mining affairs are suggested. The Opposition held two meetings yesterday,- and judging from the information obtained by our special;; correspondent it does not seem that the meetings accomplished much. ' Sir George Grey is reported to have expressed his determination to remain as he is, and retain the position of an independent member.