POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9086, 21 June 1888, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

[by telegraph.— special correspondent.] Wellington, Wednesday. THE WAIKATO RESERVE. Mr. Whyte intended to bring in a Local Bill vesting the reserve near Hamilton In the Waikato County Council for the purposes of a Model Farm and School of Agriculture. The Government, however, have undertaken to put it through as a Public Bill, and the Hon. Mr. Hislop has given notice for it« introduction. THE PENSION SYSTEM. A return is moved for by Mr. Goldie giving the names of all persons now in the Government employ who in the event of their retirement from the public service would bo entitled to receive pensions, with the amount that each such person would 1 receive if his sorvices were dispensed with during the present financial year. THE CHINESE CONFERENCE. From papers relating to the Conference laid on the table to-day it seems that Sir William Jervois has received a copy of a cablegram sent by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Lord Carrington, Governor of New South Wales. It is as follows:—"Her Majesty's Government recognise the spirit in which the Chinese immigration question has been discussed by the Conference, and will bo prepared to consider tho resolutions in all their bearings without delay. It is desirable that I should have as soon as possible all the provisions in tho proposed Bill." Mr. Mitchclson said to-day that the Government greatly regretted that New Zealand was not represented at the Conference.

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID.

Tho Colonial Secretary has intimated to the deputation which recently waited upon him with a draft Act amending the boundaries of certain districts, and making them coterminous, that the Government will not accept the Act, and do not intend to initiate an}' fresh legislation on the question of hospital and charitable aid. I understand the members interested will endeavour to provide for the cases of their districts by inserting clauses in the private Bill brought in by Mr. Macarthur, the member for Manawatu. CARRIAGE OF FRUIT.

The fruitgrowers in various parts of the colony are agitating for a reduction of the railway rates for fruit. A deputation of members waits on the Minister of Public Works to-morrow to urge this matter on his notice. THE CHAD WICK-WYLLIE CASE. In reply to Mr. Seddon, tho Minister for Education said it was quite impossible for such a case to occur under the present Industrial system, as each boy inmate had a number and record in the books of the school, and the master exercised a parental control. The boy Chadwick had been on tho books of the Howe-street Institution, but not on those of the Kohimarama Institution. Neither had he been an inmate of it. The police, as suggested by the hon. member, also had an oversight over the boys boarded out, while a committee of ladies was also appointed to keep an oversight over the girls. Mr. Seddon said the Government would do well also to avail themselves of tho services of the clergymen, the Ladies' Benevolent Society, and the Salvation Army in this work. He thought tho thanks of the colony were due to the New i.and Herald for the manner in which it had dealt with the ChadwickWyllie case in its leading columns till justice had been at last done. Mr. Hobbs wanted to know how the committee of ladies could look after children boarded out in country districts, but the Minister of Education did not offer any reply.

DISTRICT RAILWAY RATING ACT.

Mr. Whyto informs me he will oppose this measure on account of the rates recoverable on behalf of the Thames-Rotorua Railway. He states that the settlers along the line are not in a position to pay these arrears of rates. AUCKLAND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. The Local Bills Committee have, I understand, taken the evidence of Messrs. Goldie, Peacock, and Moat on the Bill, and have only been waiting for evidence that the requirements for local Bills had been complied with in order to bring up their report. STATE FORESTS.

The member for Marsden (Mr. Thompson) is moving the Government to have the whole of the State forests in the north of Auckland carefully valued by an expert during the recess. Owing to the unsatisfactory character of the reply given to Mr. Hobbs yesterday regarding the Puhipuhi forest, he now asks the Government whether they have had any proposals made to them to purchase the timber on the Puhipuhi block,— whether they will, in the interest's of the colony, appoint one or more competent experts to value the same, specifying as nearly as possible the area in the bloc!* on which there is no kauri timber growing, and also distinguishing between the dead but standing timber and the live bush. SLY GROG-SELLING IN THE NORTH.

In reply to Mr. Goldie, who called the attention of the Minister of Justice to the large amount of sly grog-selling in the North, and the numerous and bitter complaints of the settlers in certain districts respecting it, the Minister of Justice to day said that ne was fully aware that an illicit trade was going on. If the settlers who informed Mr. Goldie would inform the police some good would be done, but this they did not do, disliking being regarded as informers. He held it was the duty of the settlers, quite as much as the police, to put the traffic down. The police 1 were nob supine, a? was alleged, for ' Inspector MeGovern had secured a number of convictions in the East Coast settlements. LAND SETTLEMENT. In reply to Mr. Kelly, who asked as to the extent of land suitable and available for settlement in Maketu, Matata, Whakatane, Opotiki, and the Motn Valley, and what action was being taken to settle such lands, the Minister of Lands said twelve thousand acres had been recently offered in the Maketu district at from 12s 6d to osper acre, bub the sale was unsuccessful. They had a large block also available in the Motu Valley. Mr. Kelly informs me that the blocks are disconnected from tho settled district, which deters intending settlers, but if settlement went on connectedly with roads leading up, people would not be afraid of being isolated, and would at onco take up the land. PROPOSED CROFTER SETTLEMENT AT TAURANGA. The Minister of Lands, in reply to Mr. Bruce, said the Government had no intention of setting apart the Te Puna township, in the Tauranga district, as a Highland crofter fishing settlement. The land at the disposal of the Government of a suitable character for such a purpose was too limited ; besides, there was no evidence of any desire on the part of crofters to emigrate to the colony, and the Government did nob feel warranted in incurring any expenditure in that direction. Mr. Kelly informs mo that if the crofters do come, from his communication with the Ministry, he is satisfied that they would make some provision for them. DEFERRED PAYMENT SETTLERS. Mr. Hamlin asks the Minister for Lands whether it is his intention to bring in a Bill this session to amend the Lands Act of 1887, so as to make provision for persons buying swamp land under the deferred payment system living away from the land they purchase, so long as they comply with tho provisions of the Act in other particulars. THE GREAT NORTH ROAD. Ib had been represented to the Minister of Public Works by Mr. Hobbs that the Greab North Road, from Kamo to Kawakawa was impassible for wheeled traffic, and ha asked for aid lor the local authorities. To-day the Minister said the Government had no funds at their disposal for such works. NEWMARKET RAILWAY WORKSHOPS. The changes in the above workshops are sfci 11 exercising hon. members. Mr. Goldie asks the Minister of Public Works whether, on the removal of the foreman fitter from the Newmarket workshop, who was receiving pay at the rate of 12a per day when so employed, he lias replaced him by auothe r

who is to receive lis per day, but who is to be paid seven days per week.

THE DAIRY FACTORIES' INSPECTOR. In reply to Mr. Monk, the Minister of Lands said that Mr. McCallum had been appointed temporarily to travel and lecture on buttermaking and other dairy industries, at a salary of £300 a year, exclusive of travelling expenses. Owing to the condition in which several of these factories were at present in the North Island, ho believed Mr. McCallum's mission would prove highly beneficial. The Government desired to procure an expert, but the Agent-General had not yet been successful in getting one. Mr. Monk said that a wellwritten treatise on the subject would have been more effective, useful, and economical. The information could then have been widely circulated, whereas it would now be limited to the few persons with whom Mr. McCallum might come in contact. Mr. Monk has given notice of moti6n to-day, "That Mr. McCallum prepare such a treatise for publication." MECHANICS' LIEN BILL. Dr. Fitchott's measure provides that contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers of materia], and artizans shall have a lien for their debts on the building for the erection of which their claims are incurred. The lien covers the building, and a specified area of land surrounding it. The aggregate of all the liens is not to excoed the contract price with extras and additions. The lion of the contractor comes after the others. The machinery of the M. Court is to be used as far as possible in determining the amount of the various liens.

ENDOWMENT RESERVES ADMINIS-

TRATION.

The Waste Lands Committee have reported in favour of this Bill, with amendments, and the insertion of a clause providing that lands put up for sale under tho Public Reserves Act or this Act, shall remain open for selection at the same upset price as rental for a period not exceeding twelve months aftor the date on which the land was put up for sale. THE RABBIT NUISANCE. The annual report on the rabbit nuisance states that in Auckland, from the North Cane until the Waikato is reached, no baaly-infested country is known, though a few rabbits are seen from Alexandra to Puriri. A different state of affairs obtains, and somo places are badly infested, in the King Country, where a good sprinkling of poisoned grain would not do, as it would kill the Maori pigs. A bonus of threepence per skin is now given for all rabbits killed by Maoris within the native country. Four thousand skins were delivered in two months at a cost of £50. If tho same energy was displayed throughout the winter, the rabbits will bo reduced to a minimum.

The little bill for the rabbib fence recently erected in South Canterbury has attracted the attention of Mr. R. Thompson (Marsden), and ho has moved for a return of the total cost PETITIONS. By Mr. Carroll, from natives at Taurariga, Bay of Plenty, praying that Te Kooti may not be allowed to visit the district ; by Mr. Kelly, from residents of Taurangn district, in favor of a Highland Crofter settlement at Te Puna ; from manufacturing jewellers of Auckland, desiring tariff protection for their trade. THE PREMIER'S ILLNESS. The Premier, though better, is still confined to his bed, and it is extremely doubtful whether he will be able to attend the House on Friday.

THE RETRENCHMENT COMMITTEE.

The Retrenchment Committee sat again to-day, and further progress was made with "Ihe Estimates. Owing to a discussion which arose over the point that in some oases they would be able to do nothing with higher officials, as they would simply retire on their pensions, causing increased expenditure, Mr. Goldie tabled a motion, today, which will supplement the information on this head already to hand. The committee knew already the number of officials getting pensions and their amount. Mr. Goldie's motion is intended to elicit how many more of this favoured caste are entitled to pensions under the Pensions Act, and the amount they would be entitled to, if the colony now determined their services. I understand that the Government have been looking into this matter, in view of the action of the Retrenchment Committee and Mr. Goldie's motion, and they are themselves saddened and staggered at the number of officials still in the service who are entitled to claim the benefit of the provisions of the Civil Service Pensions Act.

NATIVE LAND PURCHASE COMMISSION. The Government intend to legislate for the appointment of a Commission to investigate, during the recess, the various native land purchase grievances in the different districts of the colony. The Native Minister (Mr. Mitchelson) informs me that at most places he visited officially, such grievances came under his notice. There were some cases of great hardship on theEastCoast, arising from technical difficulties merely, and the partiescouldget no relief under the existing laws. The commission would investigate bona fide cases, and be empowered to make recommendations. Those which were not bona fide, of course, would be left where they were.

THE MOKAU JONES COMMISSION.

The Native Minister signed this commission to-day. The Premier received some letters to-day from Mokau natives expressing approval of the action of the Government in this respect. They hope that before the commission comes to Mokau its members will peruse all the documentary evidence available at Wellington. This, I believe, they intend doing, and will probably start for Mokau early next week. The Government intend that this commission shall be a full and final deliverance on the Mokau Jones difficulty. Mr. Jones, in his letter to the Native Minister, expresses the cheerful hope that his family may be spared on the earth to go on waging the contest until justice is done.

MRS. ALOIS'S PETITION. The Public Petitions Committee were engaged all the forenoon in considering Mrs. Steadman Aldis's petition relative to the abolition of the C.D. Act. Sir G. Grey was before the committee giving evidence, in support of the petition, for an hour and a-half. He supplemented his evidence by a statement. A shorthand reporter was present, at Sir George's request, so that the evidence may be printed if desired. Sir George informs me that he has been for 20 years a member of the English Society for tho Abolition of this Act, and for 18 years one of its vice-presidents. RAILWAY EMPLOYEES. A Bill is being prepared by Mr. Mitchelson providing for a pension and compensation fund for railway employes. The fund will be made up from contributions made by the employes themselves. THE THAMES HARBOUR. A warm discussion arose to-day out of Colonel Eraser's question as to the reasons which induced the Government to circumscribe the boundaries of the port of Thames, and whether the Minister was

aware that snch action would cripple the resources and revenue of the Harbour Board, and prevent it meeting its liabilities ; and secondly, whether the Government would have any objection to allow a committee to inquire into the matter. The hon. member produced a formidable and lengthy memo., which he proceeded to read by way of argument in putting his question, but the Speaker interposed, on the ground that tho h on. member could nob read his speech. He went on to speak, however, with frequent reference to it to refresh his memory, asserting that through the reducing of the boundaries of the port and the curtailment of its revenue, he did not see how the Thames Harbour Board was to meet its liabilities. The Minister of Marino stated that the reason the Government circumscribed the boundaries of the port of Thames was that the boundaries were described as so many miles seaward, and it was never intended that they should control river navigation for forty miles inland, as far as Te Aroha. He was nob aware that the resources of the Board had been lessened by the proclamation, and that he saw no reason to appoint a committee. Mr. Whyte said Colonel Fraser was simply perpetrating a joke on the House. The kernel of the joke yeas that the Thames Harbour Board, having lost one source of revenue, was rooting about for another. Colonel Fraser naively retaliated, and said tha " kernel" of the joke was that

the Upper Thames and Piako settlers wanted to have all the fun, and leave the Lower Thames people to pay for the music. Mr. Kelly (championed the Upper Thames people. The sharp debate lasted over an hour.

THE AUCKLAND LUNATIC ASYLUM. Mr. T. Thompson's motion for the production of correspondence with the official visitors has disappeared from the order paper, bub ib will be brought forward when the correspondence is complete, which is expected to be when Dr. Cremonini's report on Mr. Ewington's communication has been received, and when the report of the public petitions of certain patients of the Asylum has been brought up. In all probability Mr. Thompson will move that the correspondence be printed in order to ■ satisfy the public mind concerning recent proceedings at the institution. SIR G. GREY'S LAND BILL. The whole of the night has been devoted to the consideration in committee of Sir G. Grey's measure. There was a sharp passape of arms between Mr. Samuel ana Sir G. Grey in reference to the possibility of the Act being abused. Sir George said he submitted his Bill to a Parliament of honest mennot a Parliament of rogues. At a later stage he made some allusions which nettled Mr. Samuel, and that gentleman proceeded to denounce the Bill, which he said would lead to " Point Resolution " affairs, ai.d allow in the country transactions which Sir George had himself very properly denounced. Mr. Samuel said private parties had approached himself to got large tracts of lana held by them purchased by the Government. Of course there was nothing corrupt suggested. They did not insult him by offering a reward, but the pretence was that the transaction would aid in opening up country. That was the sort of thing which would be likely to arise under the Bill.

THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP. On dit that a number of Freetraders are nrp-ing the Premier to accept the AgentGeneralship, the object being the shelving of the tariff proposals. MISCELLANEOUS. Sir George Grey leaves for Wairarapa tomorrow to ©pen the Masterton Exhibition, and returns on Saturday, Mr. McGregor, member for Akaroa, is acting as Government whip during the absence of Mr. Pearson through illness. Mr. Hobbs has seen the Minister of Public Works in reference to the purchase of the puriri railway sleepers stored at various points on the Waikato line. The reply of the Minister was to the same effect as that given to Mr. Hamlin a week ago, namely, that none were required at present. A return of nominated immigrants shows that for Auckland 106 wore nominated for the year ending 30th April, and all arrived. The total of those who arrived in tho colony for the year is 851. Mr. Seddon want« to know when the Public Works Statement will be given, and Mr. Cadman when the annual report of the Minister of Mines will be forthcoming.