POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9087, 22 June 1888, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

[feY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CO-RESPONDENT. ] Wellington, Thursday. THE PREMIER.

The Premier is still confined to hie room, though considerably improved in health.

THE TARIFF.

It looks as if there was little probability of the Premier being able to take his place in the House to-morrow, but the Ministers in Cabinet decided not to further postpone the consideration of the* tariff, but to go on with it as adjourned for to-morrow. The Bill will bo taken charge of by Mr. Mitchelson, who has been absent from the Houso the most of tho afternoon examining the suggestions and recommendations which have been received by the Cabinet in the interval, and working out their effect on the items yot to come bofore the House. I understand that tho tariff will have to be re-committed after going through the committee in order to mako several important alterations. THE PREMIER AND THE AGENTGENERALSHIP. The report that the Premier was being influenced to accept the Agent-Generalship is authoritatively denied. Wero he to abandon the helm in the present financial crisis, to retire to a snug billet, Sir Harry would simply wrock the political reputation built up by a quarter of a century's excellent service to the country. SIR GEORGE GREY'S LAND BILL. Though a d.ny has been fixed for its further committal, it \s looked upon as virtually shelved. The native members got the notion in their heads that tho Bill was intended to get hold of their lands, and exhibited much hostility to it, notwithstanding Sir George Grey's disavowal?. The Law Practitioners Act will probably

meet the same fato. Many members recognise the benevolent intentions of Sir George with regard to the Land Bill, but look upon it as impractical and unworkable. THE PUBLIC WORKS POLICY. The Wellington representatives are dissatisfied with the announcement of the Minister of Public Works that tho construction of the Manawatu-Gorge Railway would be spread over three years. They wanted to push it on, and complete it in a year, so as to take the Napier traffic. Some of them recently suggested to the Minister that he should take the money from the North Island Trunk Railway Loan in order to construct roads from Ilunterville towards the Hautapu Valley,but I have reason to believe that the proposal will not be entertained by the Cabinet.

THE NATIVE POLICY BILLS. It is improbable that the Government will be able to carry the Native Lands Bill, which provides for free trade in native lands, the taxation of natives on the same footing as Europeans, after a period of about two years, and tho releasing of restrictions on blocks at present inalienable. It is pointed out by some members that the natives cannot be taxed like Europeans till bhe titles to land are individualised, and that the work of individur»lisation cannot be effected in the time. Sir G. Grey points out that the abolition of the restriction on the alienation of the land would enable natives holding blocks as trustees to dispose of the land, and that such a breach of trust could be brought before the Supreme Court, impeached, and upset. NATIVE LAND RATING ACT REPEAL BILL. A number of members, whoso districts are interested in continuing this measure, are determined to combine against ite repeal. THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE BILL. I understand that the Mayor of Newton has telegraphed to tho district member, opposing the Slaughterhouse Bill before the House, on the ground that the fees will not pay the cost of inspection. CLUB LIFE. Mr. Goldie succeeded in carrying his motion on the voices that it is undesirable that charters should be granted to clubs which hold their meetings in hotels, and should any such exist, that steps be taken to cancel them at the earliest moment. He pointed out that thero were two instances of the kind, one at Napier and the other at Blenheim. The adjoining hotel-ke€pere complained that they should have to shut up at a fixed hour, while through these clubs being held in hotels, the hotelkeepers concerned could sell drink to members of these clubs at all hours. He held that this was an evasion of the law, unjust alike to the publicans complaining and to the temperance party. Thore would probably be a third club existing shortly in Auckland, the Carlton Club, meeting in the Jubilee Hotel, Newmarket. Messrs. Hobbs, Smith, and Fulton endorsed Mr. Goldie's views as to the law being thus evaded. The House seemed to be unanimous as to the necessity of putting down the practice which has been growing up. Since the debate, it. has transpired that there are two other clubs held in hotels at Palmerson and Gisborne.

THE VOLUNTEERS. The total number of volunteers in the colony on the 31st March List was 80G4, comprised in 147 corps, busides 47 companies of cadets, numbering 2773 in all. The numbers of each class of volunteers were as follow : —Cavalry, 13 corps, 714 men ; Mounted Infantry, 2 corps, 99 men ; Naval Artillery, 20 corpe, 1243 men ; Artillery, 14 corps, 743 men ; Engineers, 3 corps, 147 men ; Rifles, 94 corps, 5049 men ; Honorary Reserve. 1 corps, 69 men. The Commission for revising the volunteer regulations are already busily engaged in the work of revision. The Defence Minister expresses his belief that the result will be a practical and useful code. It is rumoured that a difficulty ha* arisen with the new English Artillery drill instructors. It is said the Defence authorities proposed to make them battery sergeant-majors, but as these instructors are English staff sergeants, they did not take kindly to the proposal. I understand that the Defence Minister has stopped the further preparation of the military topographical map of the approaches to Wellington which was being executed by Captain Barclay. One of the recommendations of General Schaw was that such a map should be prepared in the case of Wellington and Auckland, as being the most exposed places, and thoso most likely to be visited by a hostile cruiser. The idea was, that in the event of an outbreak of war, sure to be sudden when it does come, the district commanders should have all the information as to the features of the country roads, rivers, etc, with full notes on the same, at their hands, so that there would be no confusion or bungling as to the best plan of defensive field operation. The proposal, though an excellent one, has come to nn end, either through retrenchment or other reason, and the money represented by the unfinished map is, to a certain extent, thrown away, whereas, if completed, It would hare been done for all time. Captain Barclay is said to be well qualified for the work, having gone through this branch of professional training at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, under Colonel Vetley.

THERMAL SPRINGS DISTRICT. The Government declined to furnish Sydney Taiwhanga with a copy of the opinion or advice under which they acted in accepting a surrender of the leases granted under the Thermal Springs Act, but agreed to give him a copy of tho circular inviting lessees to surrender their leases, also the names of lessees who did so, and the rent they secured. Sydney is now consulting his solicitor, Mr. Howarth, as to what further stepe can be taken to obtain from the Government the terms of the legal opinion he deeires to obtain. THE AUCKLAND HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS. This Bill, which was in charge of Mr. Peacock, was read a second time on the Toicoe. Mr. Peacock gave a clear explanation of ite objects—namely, to take certain sums from amounts allocated in the schedule of the Harbour Board loan, namely £10,000, from £26,000 allocated for railway sheds, and £10,000 from £60,000 allocated for the Hobson-street wharf and sheds, the joint sum of £20,000 so deducted to be devoted to workshops and plant at Calliope Dock, which were, in the Admiral's opinion, necessary to make the dock available for the repair of ships of war. The Minister of Marine (Mr. Fisher) said that while believing the propoeala were

perfectly correct, and he had nothing to say against them, it was desirable tho House should be on its guard against loose legislation. Two yeans ago the Board applied for authority to expend certain sums on certain works, and now, two years afterwards, they wanted an entirely new allocation. He agreed in this particular case to what was desired, but he wished to impress the general principle upon the House. Mr. Rhodes thought the consent of the debenture-holders should be obtained. Mr. Goldie said that when tho dock was arranged for no provision was made for repairing plant. It was absolutely necessary to do as provided by the Bill, as tho Board did not want to run into any further indebtedness. The money could be fully taken from the items referred to. Mr. Samuel thought the diversion of money once allocated was an important matter. Mr. Peacock replied showing that the money was still spent on harbour works, so that the debenture-holders were not taken at any disadvantage. LOCAL ELECTION ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill provides for substitutes for re-

turning officers and elections not being made void by reason of the public offices or polling place being outside of the district. \ arious technical amendments are made in the Act. Voters are not to be spoken to in the booth before or after voting, except by the returning officer. The ponalty for a breach of the section is any sum not exceeding £20. For voters who are blind or cannot write, the Roturning Officer is to fill up the paper

at the voter's request, and to sign his own name at the foot of the voting paper. VOLUNTEER DRILL SHEDS AND LAND BILL. This measure, by the Defence Minister, repeals the previous Act. All drill sheds on Crown lands become subject to the provisions of the Act. Provision is made for applying it to drill-sheds on private lands. Where trusts are undefined, the Governor may determine Jthem. The powers and duties of trustees are defined in a series of clauses. RETURNS. The Government opposed Mr. Taiwhanga's motion for a return of Crown grants or certificates of title for certain blocks of land on the grounds of expense, and also Mr. Cadman's for a return of blocks of native land, giving name, area, and situation, in the Thames, Ohinemuri, and Coromandel counties, upon which restrictions are placed, for the same reason. He

however got, a return showing the number of persons settled with permanent titles by the Government, on waste lands in the above counties. Mr. R. Thompson is to get a return of tho cost of the South Canterbury rabbit fence. PAPERS. Further correspondence relative to tho Hessian fly has been laid on the table, also correspondence on loans, and tho conversion of debentures into inscribed stock, correspondence on stocks and dividends unclaimed, a return showing the securities in which several trust funds of tho colony are invested.

PETITIONS. By Mr. R. Thompson, from fruitgrowers, Whangarei, praying for tariff protection for their industry. PUBLIC PETITIONS COMMITTEE. This committee reported in tho following cases : — Mrs. Jane Schnackenberg and others, of Auckland, re repeal of Contagious Diseases Act, roferrod to Government. Mrs. Packe and others, of National Women's Christian Temperance Union, re drink sold to children under 16 years, and that clubs be treated like hotels, referred to the Government. G. F. Such and others, of Rodney, praying that, if the forests north of Auckland are sold, the proceeds be devoted to tho extension of the North Auckland Railway, or tho completion and metalling of tho main north trunk road; referred to tho Government. Charles Monk, of Auckland, no claim against the colon) , .

NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. This committee reported in the following :—Makire Tawhai and others, re land at Hokianga ; referred to tho Government. Hone Tawhai and others, re land claim ; referred to the Government for inquiry. Taipa Whakarongitai and others, who complained of portion of the income derived from mining licenses, payable to them in Hauraki district, being withheld ; referred to the Government tor inquiry, and redress afforded if necessary. W. 11. Taipari, Thames, praying that the decision at the rehearing.of the Kauaerangn block, may not be given effect to. The committee report that they iind great difficulty in treating with cases of this character, especially when they have reached the stage thi3 has. With the view of placing these things on a more satisfactory footing, it is suggested that the Government create a properly-constituted tribunal, to act as an appeal Court from the decisions of the Native Land Court, and in tho meantime the petition be referred to the Government, pending any steps they may take in the direction suggested.

THE RAILWAY COMMLSSIONERSHIP.

The Post appoves of giving £3500 as salary to the Chief Commissioner. It characterises the board of business men as a dangerous absurdity.

RETRENCHMENT. I learn that the Auckland Financial Reform Association are telegraphing to the retrenching members of the Auckland party, urging them to rouso up their constituents to give a "roar" for retrenchment. This is reversing the order of things. It is for the constituents to stir up the members, and I bclisve some of the members havo replied to the telegram sent to them to that efFect, and that more harm than good would be dono in the Assembly, if it transpired that members were working up an agitation outside the House. The Premier's Civil Service Act, it is understood, proposes to continue giving compensation to Civil Servants, if they do not get pensions, by a contribution in aid from the Government. Mr. Goldio proposes to prevent the establishment or compensation, which he looks upon as in reality a reduced pension, and thereforo ho contemplates moving to-morrow a motion to the effbct that, in the opinion of the House, the Government should, without delay, introduce a Bill to repeal clause 12 of the Civil Service Act, of 1866, or an}' other Act which provides for the compensation of any officer who retires from the service of the colony.

MR. SAMUEL'S DIVORCE BILL. When this Bill came on for discussion tonight Mr. Fish moved that it be road that day three months. He said that though there were many women good and true, a blessing to the world and to their husbands, there were any quantity of them who, by their conduct inside their homes as well as outside, made those homes a hell upon earth. Ono young lady, apparently under the impression that the hon. member's language wan getting alarming, or that ho was libelling her sex, got up and made for the door. Her example became contagious, and her associates disappeared in Indian file The matrons were more leisurely in thoir action, but at Inst grasped the situation, and went out at the goose step. In two minutes tho Ladies' Gallery was deserted, not oven the indefatigable stockingknitter waiting to hear Mr. Fish'B forcible speech on sundry grounds of conjugal infelicity, and its legal consequences. On Mr. Fish challenging a division, tho Bill was got into committee. When the division was announced Sydney Taiwhanga was unable to restrain his joy, and cheered and laughed till, fearful of being pulled up by the Speaker, he slipped out into tho looby, where ho broke out afresh. Hβ threatened to speak in favour of the Bill in Maori till daylight if any attempt was made to stonewall it, a challenge which Mr. Seddon accepted, on the ground .'■■ hat any change in Sydney's orations would be for the better. IVlembers wore greatly amused at Sydney giving the Bill a personal application, and importing his domestic experiences into tho discussion. PROTECTION IN THEORY AND PRACTICE. Sundry members of the House have bought Nelson and Dunedin jams in order v to investigate the merits of that local industry. They were somewhat amused on examining the tins to find thab the labels of the Dunedin jam (a city which is a hotbed of Protection) were executed in London, while the labels on the tins of the Nelson jam, executed at the New Zealand Hkkald printing establishment, were much more artistic in design, and equal in execution. Evidently Protection is a good thing for the jam manufacturer, but a bad thing for

the printer. Mr. Levestam gob an exhibit of jam from Nelson, in order to contrast the local article with the jam made elsewhere from imported pulp. He opened some tins and had them in the lobby for inspection, to-night. It is stated that an enemy got at his jam when his back was turned, and on smelling some of the samples on his return, theyjsavoured sadly of kerosene. THE VACANT PUISNE JUDGESHIP.

I understand this matter is not yet settled. Some of the Ministry are in favour of Justice Ward, others in favour of Mr.

Haggitt, of Dunedin. It is still an open question, and the appointment has nob yet come formally before the Cabinet for discussion and decision. SCAB AT THE THAMES. The Minister of Lands has received a telegram from Superintendent Inspector BayTey, stating that he found the sheep of Mr. W. F. Porter, of Miranda, scabby. Some of them are very bad. The sheep are said to have come from a run at Waikawau. He had examined all the sheep in the neighbourhood of Miranda and found no others scabby. He was going to examine the settlers' nocks at Waikawau. RETRENCHMENT. The Retrenchment Committee sat again to-day, and made some progress in reviewing the Estimates. They are urging on the printing of the pensions list, in order that when the question comes on members will have all the available information. Mr. Goldie carried his motion to-day for this return, giving the names of all persons now in the Government employ who, if now retiring, would be entitled bo a pension, with the amount receivable during the present year. Mr. Hamlin moves for a return of the names of all persona whose services have been dispensed with under the scheme

of retrenchment, without any compensation for the loss of employment; the return to specify the employment of each person, the length of service, and the amount of compensation that each person would have been entitled to if all the Government employes had been treated alike. DAIRY FACTORIES' INSPECTOR. The Minister of Lands informed Mr. Monk to-day that it was not advisable to disturb the arrangements made with Mr. McCallum, by employing him in preparing an essay on butter and cheese. Mr. Monk thought it would nob absorb much of Mr. McCallum'e time, and would be very useful.

RAILWAY MATTERS. .In reply to Mr. Goldie the Minister for Public Works stabed bhab ib was true bhab the foreman titter at the Newmarket workshops, gebbing 12s per day, was replaced by a man at 11s. It was not true that the latter was being paid seven days per week. When employed on Sunday he was paid for his work, not otherwise. With regard to railway management in Auckland I may mention that the reducbion in the expenditure on tho Auckland section for May alone, as compared with the corresponding month of liujfc year is no less i\ sum than £3000, so it will be seen that the recent official changes have been productive of a financial saving to the country. The Minister of Public Works is steadily sotting his face against all applications from members for concessions on bhe railways involving loss or expense. Yesberday, Dr. Newman failed to get the Master ton train to stop at Ngauranga to pick up some school children, and to-day Mr. Mills failed to effect arrangements for workmen's trains, or workmen's tickets, at special rates on Port lines (praebically bebween Port Chalmers and Dunedin.)!

BANKRUPTCY ESTATES AND OFFICIAL ASSIGNEES. An imporbanb return in bankruptcy is moved for by Mr. Hobbs, to extend from the coming into operation of the Bankruptcy Act, namely, the expense of administration (average), the numbor of bankruptcies in each district, the numberof bankrupt estates in which there were nob sufficient expenses of administration, the number of bankrupt estates in which dividends have been declared, the amount realised in each estate, the amount distributed in dividends, the amount paid for advertising (separately) and costs, the balance retained by the Assignees, official and deputy-official ; tho number of cases in which no final accounts have been filed within twelve months of bankruptcy, the number of instance*! in which tho audit have reported non-compliance by Assignees, official and deputy, wit.h the Act, and the names of bhe assignees so reported.

MISCELLANEOUS. In reply to Mr. Hamlin, the Minister of Lands said ho would put a clause into his amended Land Bill so as to make provision for persons buying swamp land under the deferred payment system living away from the land they had purchased, so long as they comply with the provisions of the Act in other particulars, until such land is fit for residence.

Mr. Cad man desires bo know from the Governmenb whether the recommendation in JetTcoat's case has been considered, or will be, without delay. Mr. Kelly asks the Government whether Resident Magistrate Court bailiffs, for whom salaries appear on tho Estimates, are subject to the Civil Service Act forbidding Civil servants from taking part in political proceedings.