POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9066, 29 May 1888, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

[by telegraph.— special correspondent.]

Wellington, Monday. HIS EXCELLENCY'S DESPATCHES. The despatch of the Governor, No. 96, of 18th October last, upon the formation of the Atkinson Ministry, is not included in tho despatches presented to Parliament. In reference to that event the Post says : — "The omission has aroused interest in the despatches of the Governor of this colony which has lain dormant since the time of the Grey-Cameron despatches, which wero always looked forward to as being remarkable as much for what they did not contain as for what they contained."

RETIRING ALLOWANCES. Mr. Joyce is endeavouring to get the Government to consider the propriety, when dealing with compensations to officials retiring by compulsion from the public service, of ascertaining from the Government Actuary the capitalised life value of the retiring allowance to each officer, payable yearly or half-yearly, conditionally that such official shall permanently reside for at least nine months of the year in the colony, and in the case of offieials so retiring being over 50 years of age giving each of such a grant of 50 acres of land for personal occupation, and at his death to pass to his widow and children. MR. LARNACH. It is anticipated that Mr. Larnach will take his seat shortly. SIR J. VOGEL. Letters are said to have been received by membors of the Opposition from Sir Julius Vogel, in which he speaks of being back in New Zealand in August. Another statement is that lie has entrusted a missive with one of his trusted political allies relative to his resignation if ho should not return by that date. THE EDUCATION ACT. A meeting in connection with Mr. Pyko's Roman Catholic Schools Bill was held this morning. There were ten members present, and it was determined to alter the Bill to make it. apply to all schools having an average attendance of over 100, which shall thereby bo entitled to half capitation. The title of the Bill is accordingly to be amended to that, of "The Private Schools Bill." So far as I can ascertain, no Auckland members were present at the meeting. The Tress denounces the intermeddling with the Education Act, especially the proposed abolition of the Education Boards, and expresses a hope that Mr. Pyke's Bill and Major Steward's Bill for the abolition of the cumulative vote will both bo thrown out. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr. Peacock leaves to-morrow for Auckland by train to Taranaki, on business connected with the damage to his stock and premises by the tire at Messrs. Sharland and Co. 's. Leave of absence will be granted by the House. The cost of collecting the Customs revenue last year was only £2 15s 6d per cent., as compared with £4 6s Sd per cent, in the United Kingdom for the year ending 31st March, 1887. A number of members of the Assembly, it is anticipated, will go up to Wanganui on the occasion of the presenting to the Hon. J. Bryco the valuable library which has been purchased for him as a gift by his political friends.

The Crown Lands and Mines and Goldfields' reports are being called for. The Colonial Secretary has put the Asylum correspondence at tho disposal of Mr. Thomas Thompson for private perusal, so that he may judge whether it is necessary to proceed with the motion for its production to-morrow.