POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9138, 21 August 1888, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. LIGHTHOUSE.

The Government is being urged to erect a lighthouse on Stephen Island, Cook Straits, owing to the recent maritime disasters, and to make a beginning by placing a sum on the Supplementary Estimates. THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE. I understand that Messrs. Spreckels and Co., the contractors for the mail service, are making representations to the United States Government on the subject. FINANCIAL MATTERS. It is said that the amount of the Supplementary Estimates will be larger this session than for some years past When last year £80,000 was left "unallotted" in the loan schedule of the Million Loan Act, many members eyed it covetously, hoping to make up the deficiency on their own allotments. It is said half of this sum has already gone, while the balance is in a fair way shortly of reaching the disappearing point. The question of getting at absentees through the property tax is to be fought on the second reading of the Property Tax Bill, and a strong effort will be made to impose a tax on what are irreverently called the "gilded drones." THE NEW RAILWAY BOARD. The Canterbury and West Coast members are, it is understood, urging the Cabinet to appoint the Hon. E. Richardson, late Minister of Public Works, either as chairman or one of the members of the new Railway Board.

THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

• The Times, referring to the retrospect of our railway system, and the advice given by the Minister for Public Works for the future, says : — " These arc very sensible remarks, and suggestions such as would naturally commend themselves to a shrewd business man like Mr. Mitchelson. He has done good service aliko in placing before the public the instructive facts and figures, and in offering this sound and salutary counsel."

The Post, in reviewing the Statement, keeps an eye to the prosecution of the North Island Trunk Railway by the central route. It says:— "There is one portion of the Public Works Statement, to which we desire to take the most decided objection at the earliest possible opportunity. It is the announcement that next session Ministers intend to propose a deliberate violation of the allocation of the North Island Trunk Railway loan, as provided for by the Act of IS7G, under the provisions of which the loan itself has been raised. Wo protest in the strongest manner against the proposal to divert to speculative land purchases the money which has been specifically borrowed for and allocated to the construction of the North Island Trunk Railway between Marton and To Awamutu. It is a most immoral proposal, as it invites Parliament to violate its engagements with the lenders and to break faith with the colony. Out of the million loan it appears that there is only some £384,130 for future appropriation, and if once this sum is broken into and any portion allocated to other purposes than those sanctioned by the Act of 1576, we may say good-bye to all hope of the line being proceeded with at all. Our Wellington members will require to be on the alert, and they should lose no time in calling on Mr. Mitchelson to explain, and, if he can, excuse, the most improper inproper intention which he has announced as entertained by the Ministry in regard to this matter. It is one of the greatest importance to Wellington."

THE NEW SHERIFF OF AUCKLAND.

The Minister of Justice informs me that Major Gascoigne will shortly bo gazetted Sheriff of Auckland, Mr. Basley not having time, consistent with his other official duties, to attend to matters connected therewith.

THE SCAB OUTBREAK.

Telegrams received from Superintendent Bayley state that he lias now inspected the district in which the scab disease occurred in Auckland. A number of the sheep stated to be diseased have been destroyed.

THE PROPERTY TAX. Sir G. Grey is determined that the second reading of the Property Tax Bill shall nob be carried without an effort being made to test the feeling of the House on the desirability of substituting for it a land and income tax. An amendment will be moved, if not by himself by one of his friends, affirming the necessity for a change in the direction indicated. Although there is little chance of its being carried, it may give rise to a lengthy and animated debate, and help to stretch out the session a day or two longer.

HARBOURS ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

Judging from the remarks of the Premier to-night, the Government have no intention of dropping the Bill, notwithstanding the threats of its being stonewalled. He said the House could not do otherwise than face the question that local bodies must be compelled to meet their engagements. THE MOKAU JONES COMMISSION. I understand that the report of the commissioners is in the hands of the Governor. It will probably be placed before the House to-morrow. The report has nob yet been considered by the Government, but the Premier stated that if the Government deemed it necessary to bring in any fresh legislation on the subject, they would do so this session. THE OTAGO CENTRAL. It is understood that strenuous opposition will be offered to the vote on the Public Works Estimates for the extension of the Otago General Railway.

LEASING OF AUCKLAND RAILWAYS.

I understand that the Minister of Public Works has received further communications from Mr. Vaile relative to the leasing the Auckland lines. From what I can understand there is little probability of the project being carried out, unless under ample provisions of contract to secure the maintenance of the lines in their present state of repair, rolling stock, etc., and a cash deposit equal to the present interest on the capital earned by the railway. AUCKLAND HOSPITAL RESERVES BILL. Mr. Goldio gave evidence before the Local Bills Committee of the Legislative Council on the Auckland Hospital Reserves Act Amendment Bill. The object of the measure is to enable the Public Trustee to renew the lease of the land at Ellerslie for the erection of a Refuge tor another 21 years at the present rental of £73 per annum. After the explanation had been given to the satisfaction of the Committee, all opposition was withdrawn, and the Bill placed on the order paper for to-day, but the adjournment of the Council through the death of the Hon. Dr. Menzies prevented it being brought on. Mr. Goldie has arranged with the Hon. E. Mitchelson to take charge of the Bill in the House when it comes down from the Council. WAITAKEREI ROADS. I understand that Mr. Oliver Mays, Secretary to the Waitemata Council, has been in communication with Mr. Goldie relative to obtaining a fresh grant of £500 for opening up the Waitakerei district by road making. Mr. Goldie is bringing the matter under the notice of the Minister of Public Works. EARLY CLOSING BILL. Mr. Joyce is working away quietly in favour of early closing. He is circulating extracts from "Social Arrows," which contain some pertinent suggestions and remarks in favour of limiting the hours of labour, over a hundred copies being sent to Auckland. Mr. Joyce makes a further appeal on behalf of the early closing movemen through the local press. CROWN AND NATIVE LANDS RATING ACT REPEAL BILL. A number of West Coast members and others had determined to stonewall this Bill. Mr. Reeves (Inangahua) opened the ball with a most amusing speech, which lasted about an hour and a-half, principally devoted to deploring the fact that the Premier had sacrificed the Foul Brood Amtmg Bees Bill in the massacre of the innocents. Ho pointed out the various habits of bees in a manner which would have excited the envy of that accomplished apiarian, Mr. Hopkins, bub gob rather

mixed up between the humble and the bumble bee. During the speech the West Coast goldfields members were interviewing the Premier to make concessions, but he was obdurate. He refused point blank to concede anything, and said if the stonewalling was persisted in it would imperil the concessions already made. The upshot was that the stonewalling suddenly collapsed about half-past nine o'clock, and the House got into committee on the Bill. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr. W. P. Reeves asks the Minister for Defence whether the cruisers now in course of construction in Great Britain for the defence of this colony are of the " Archer " type, recently stated to be a complete failure.

Dr. Newman is not clear about the North Island main trunk loan, and asks the Minister for Public Works why in the Public Works Statement he made no mention of the investments of the North Island Main Trunk loan and the new £1,000,000 loan, and if he will now tell the House how these moneys are invested ? The Premier moves that the Gisborne Harbour Beard Bill be committed to a committee of the whole House on Wednesday next.

The Government are being asked if they intend to at once procure another shipment of salmon ova,.

Mr. Taiwhangais stirring up the Government to bring back Forwood, the absconding solicitor-, for whose apprehension a warrant was issued in Auckland.

Mr. Pyke is applying for leave of absence on account of ill-health, and is returning home.

The illuminated addresses from the miners of the Thames and Inangahua districts to the Hon. W. J. Larnach were placed on view in the lobby to-day. They are very tastefully executed.