POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9126, 7 August 1888, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

♦ [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]' Wellington, Monday. NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY. Till! question of the prosecution of the North Auckland Railway extension is still being kept in view, and to-morrow Mr. Moat asks the Premier if he and the Minister for Public Works will, during the recess, visit the different district's North of Auckland, and be prepared next session to recommend to the House some practicable scheme for the construction of the North Auckland Main Trunk line of railway. THE COROMANDEL OYSTER, BEDS' The Minister of Marine informed Mr. Moss to-day that the Government intended to keep the Coromandel oyster beds closed for the present year as requested by the local bodies. THE OMAHA SPECIAL SETTLERS. Mr. Moat is interesting himself in the case of the Omaha settlers, and asks the Minister of Lands " Whether it is the intention of the Government to grant to the village settlers on Dacre's claim, Omaha, the relief prayed for in the petition of F. Livock and others?" APPOINTMENTS TO THE UPPER HOUSE. There seems to be a good deal of conflict of opinion as to the propriety of making any fresh appointments to the Upper House, arising out of the recent proposed appointment of the Clerk of Parliament. In order to test the matter Mr. O'Conor intercepted Supply with a motion to the effect that, in the opinion of this House, no further appointments should bo made to the Legislative Council until the Legislature has had an opportunity to determine upon any alteration to be made in the direction of limiting the number, altering the mode of appointment, or terms for winch such appointment shall be valid. Dr. tlodgkinson stated that some of the former appointments to the Legislative Council had been shameful, but the present motion seemed to be aimed at a particular person. After a short discussion, the motion was defeated on the voices. All the Auckland members now regard the attempt to appoint anyone to the Upper House as inopportune. Some Auckland members inform me that Mr. O'Couor's motion, though defeated, will have the ellectof blocking any appointment to the Legislative Council at the present time, and thus adding further to the burdens of the people. IMBECILES IN THE ASYLUMS. During the passage of the vote for Lunatic Asylums a discussion took place about keeping harmless imbeciles in such institutions. Dr. Newman denounced the | practice, while Mr. Samuel said lie knew .cases where such persons hail been disi charged from motives of economy, and ■ they lapsed into criminal acts of violence. The question was asked what should be done with them? and an ultra radical member interjected, Send them to another place." PETITIONS. By Mr. Moat, from Captain Krippner, of Puhoi, praying for compensation for his | services in introducing German settlers to ; the colony, and establishing special settlements at Puhoi, Ahuroa, Okahu, Waiwera, and Ohaupo ; by Mr. La wry, from residents of Howiek, for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act. THE ACCIDENT TO MR. FERGUS. The Hon. Mr. Fergus (Defence Minister) appeared in his place in the House to-day, notwithstanding his accident, with his arm in a sling. lit- has no sensation or feeling in the fourth or fifth fingers, but Dr. Grace believes all will yet come right. He is riot expected to have the use of his hand for some weeks.' THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF THE MAORI. The vote of £.'{oo for the compilation of Maori history led to a good deal of discussion. Messrs. Fish, Ormond, Peacock, and K. Thompson attacked the vote, and wished to know when it would be brought to a close, the last named gentleman stating that he believed it. was in the nature of a pension. The Premier said it was an arrangement made by the Grey administration, and it was originally intended to be edited by Sir (I. Grey, which would have made it a very valuable work. As it was, it would be more valued as years rolled on. Its author had a better knowledge of the Maori people and their history and language than any man in the colony, and the Maori portion of the work was much better done than the English section. .Messrs. Barron and Turnbull spoke in favour of the work. Ultimately, on the motion of Mr. R. Thompson, £"> was struck pf! the vote as an int-mation that the House desired the work to be brought to a termination shortly. The Colonial Secretary unuertook to make enquiries as to when the work would be finished, and the estimated cost, with a view of putting it on the supplementary estimates, and thus bringing the work to a close. THE FRISCO SERVICE. The canvassing as to the 'Frisco service still goes on, and the feeling proves in favour of abolishing all the subsidies, and leaving the services to a fair field and no favour, and the survival of the fittest. Nine members who are for the abolition of the 'Frisco service state that they will also vote against the Direct service. Some of the Auckland members are in favour at the outset of abolishing all the services, while others of them consider that such a step should only be adopted as an alternative, I on the failure to carry the 'Frisco service vote. A great deal will depend on the proposals and attitude of the Government, and many members will bo influenced thereby as to the course they will pursue. AUCKt The second reading of the Auckland Harbour Improvement Bill takes place in the Legislative Council to-morrow. As now presented to the Council the portion of the Bill relating to private interests is struck out, as well as the schedule, and two clauses added of an enabling character, by which the Board carry on certain works. THE OPPOSITION TITLE. The Opposition disown the title of " Constitutional Party." The proposal to adopt it had met with but lit,tie support. A NEW TAX. Mr. Anderson asks the Premier if, with a view to replenishing the Treasury, he will take into his serious consideration the advisability of taxing racing clubs, theatrical companies, skating rink companies, and nil promoters of such and kindred amusements, such tax to be imposed by stamps on tickets issued by such companies, or any other mode which may be deemed most convenient. HARBOURS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. A meeting of the Young New Zealand party was held late to-night. Mr. Mills presided, and there were present Messrs. Mills, T. Mackenzie, Pratt, Carroll, Anderson, Rhodes, Allen, Guinness, Monk, Ward, Samuel, Dr. Newman, and six members were accounted for. The meeting was convened in order to consider the Harbour Board Act Amendment Bill. No general resolution was adopted, but an earnest discussion took place, the meeting being unanimous, with one exception, that the measure was an exceedingly dangerous one, and that the passage of the Bill should be opposed by all legitimate means. TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY ORES. Messrs. Peacock, Cad man, and Allen have not yet succeeded in arranging an interview with the Minister of Mines and Mr. Gordon with regard to this matter and the discussion of Professor Brown's letter. I understand that Mr. Allen, who has devoted a great deal of time to the study of metallurgy, does not coincide with the Professor's suggestions. VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS. Mr. John Lundon has been interviewing the Premier and the Minister of Lands with regard to the Northern village settlements. THE AMENDED LEGISLATIVE ESTIMATES. As the amended estimates brought down by the Speaker were practically an adoption of the result already foreshadowed by the Government, the discussion was robbed of a great, deal of the anticipated interest. They passed substantially with some unimportant alterations. The Premier took

charge of the estimates of the Legislative Council, and Sir M. O'Rorke of the estimates of the Lower Chamber. The only items of Auckland interest were those relating to the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Parlia mentary Reader, and the Interpreters. The proposal to reinstate the Sergeant-at-Arms' salary to the old figure of £275, instead of leaving it at the reduced figure of £200, was lost by three votes. Mr. Goldie was disposed to abolish the office altogether, and not to employ "the bauble," but the irreverent allusion to the mace sent a yell of voices through the House. Mr. Marchant desired to abolish the Parliamentary reader, and transfer his duties to the assistant clerk, but the motion was defeated on the voices. A long discussion ensued as to dispensing with one of the interpreters, but the motion was lost. Mr. Monk proposed that members should pay their own expenses to and from the Assembly, but after being reproached by some members more in sorrow than in anger, he withdrew the motion out of consideration for their feelings. There was a great run on the lobbies during a division for the reduction of the Record clerk's salary. Mr. R. Thompson went by mistake into the lobby with those opposed to retrenchment, and did nob find out his mistake till too late. He was greeted with cheers in the lobby by his new-found associates, as they thought he had abandoned the skinflint committee, and he made an explanation amid great laughter.