POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9140, 23 August 1888, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Wednesday. THE THAMES-TE AROHA RAILWAY. With reference to the resolutions passed at the Thames in connection with the above railway, protesting against the action of the Minister of Public Works as to the noncompletion of the line to Paeroa, I understand (1) that the matter was not one within the personal control of the Minister, but was decided in the Cabinet; ("2) that the Minister denies having given any specific pledge that the line should be completed. THE REISCHEK CASE. I understand that the Public Petitions Committee have gone very carefully into the petition of Mr. Keisehek, and got the evidence of the mate of the Stella at the Bluff concerning the treatment of Mr. Reischek's case of specimens on board the Stella. They have come to the conclusion that the petitioner has no claim for his loss against the colony.

THE DOG TAX AND NATIVES. A deputation of native chiefs have been repeatedly at the Native Minister during the past two or three days to induce him to take action to prevent the enforcement of the dog tax by County Councils. The natives are, it seems, desirous of enjoying all the privileges of British subjects, but repudiate the obligations. The Native Minister does not seem inclined to help them in the evasion of their responsibilities.

THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

The longer that some of tho Auckland members look at the Public Works Statement the less they like it. Mr. R. Thompson informs me he is completely disappointed at the small amount allotted for roads and works north of Auckland, while as to the non-extension of the North Auckland Trunk Railway beyond its present point, ho regards the apathy of the press and people of Auckland as positively astounding. Mr. (Joldie also expressed to me to-day his dissatisfaction, and lie is making further inquiries. There will probablv be an attempt made to stonewall the £35,000 vote for the extension of the Otago Central. Hon. members have scarcely yet realised the melancholy truth that the first instinct of a Ministry after being squarely seated on the Ministerial benches is self-preservation. Mi. Mitchelson, as Minister of Public Works, can do a good deal, but lie cnnnot make the few loaves and fishes now remaining go round the hungry multitude and have a surplus.

THE TWO MILLION LOAN. The Colonial Treasurer laid upon the table of the House to-day a return showing the estimated charges and expenses of raising the two million loan. They are— discount at £2 4s 5d per* cent., the loan having been sold at an average price of £!>7 15s 7d, say, loss of interest by dating the loan Ist May, and taking payment of purchase money : By instalments, £24,000 ; commissions to the Bank of England at h per cent., £10.000; brokerage at $ per cent., £.5000; stomp duty at 12 6d per cent., £1-2,500; advertising, £4281 : total, £100/281.

FOREST CONSERVATION. The important question of forest conservation is receiving attention at the hands of Mr. Monk. He asks the Premier whether, during the recess, he will have a Bill prepared having for its object the conservation of forests from the tires that every summer are seriously consuming them, and if so will he introduce it early next session ?

THE LATE S. J. EDMONDS' CLAIM.

I understand that the Native Minister has communicated with Mr. Henry Edmonds, of Auckland, in reference to the petition of his deceased father, who preferred a claim to Parliament tor compensation for losses sustained by the burning of the cutter Kate by the natives in IStio. The Native Minister, through the Under-Secretary, state." that the Government have gone care fully into the whole question, and regrets that the claim is one which cannot be recognised.

THE CASE OF MRS. DAVIDSON. Mr. Moss brought the case of the arrest of Mrs. Davidson, of Mount Eden, on an alleged charge of larceny, which turned out to be wrongful, under the notice of the Minister of Justice. Hβ said he hud received several communication? from Auckland in relation to it, and he hoped the Minister would make inquiry as to the conduct of the police in the matter. The Minister of Justice asked the hon. member for Parnell to furnish him with the information at his disposal, and he would order the necessary inquiry to be made.

• TREE PLANTING AT RAILWAY STATIONS. Mr. Monk asked the Minister of Public Works whether, instead of the Australian gum trees, with which many of the railway stations are planted, he will plant some of the suitable stfltions entirely with New Zealand forest trees, coniininjr the experiment to varieties most valuable for industrial purposes.

SUPPLEM ENTARY ESTIMATES. The Supplementary Estimates chargeable on the Government Insurance Account and on the Public Trust Offices Expenses Account were circulated to-day. The estimates for last year as regards the Government Insurance were £48,498, and for this year £45,517. Among the altercations made the Commissioner is reduced from £1)50 to £SOO. The second assistant actuary and lecturer are struck out. In the Auckland agency tho clerk is raised from £125 to £140. At Dunedin the District Agent is reduced from £750 to £450, also the salaries of other District Agents at centres of population. Commission was increased by £1000, travelling expenses by £500, advertising, printing, stationery, etc., by £1000, contingencies by £2500. In the Public Trust Office the estimates for last year were £5330, and for this year £5050, the reduction being taken off the junior officers, and £200 from contingencies. The superior officers are left untouched.

AN OUT SPOKEN REPORT. The Waste Lands Committee of the Legislative Council, to whom was referred the petition of George McLean, of Hawera, for a title to a section of land at Patea, reported to the Council that having examined the evidence, they cannot recommend that the application be entertained, as he did not nerve his full period, but deserted to the enemy. The report is one of the most outspoken which have been submitted to the Council this session, and as it refers to two officers well known in Auckland, will be of interest to your readers. The report concludes as follows :—" Your Committee think it their duty to bring under the notice of the Council that the papers submitted to them show that in July, 1886, Major Gudgeon, one of the Commissioners appointed to cuquire into claims of naval and military settlers, reported that Wi Katene had actually served the whole period required by law, and was entitled to the Crown grant. This statement is so opposed to the evidence in the possession of the Government, that your committee are of opinion that he should be called upon for an explanation. It was upon this statement that provision for the issue for a grant of land to Wi Katene was inserted in the Special Powers and Contracts Act of ]SB6. It is possible that in making this statement Major Gudgeon was unduly influenced by Colonel McDonnell's declaration on October 9, 1883, that Katene had served his whole period of service, anrl was entitled to the land. In Colonel McDonnell's words :—' I was as certain as 1 am now that the land in question belonged to Wi Katene, but on return from England in '77, I offered to buy his land, but he had sold it.' This is in entire opposition to Colonel McDonnell's declaration to the Government of May, 1881, that Katene had not served his term of service, but had deserted to the enemy ; and also to Colonel McDonnell's statement in an unofficial letter of the 30th May, 1881, that ' I still think he is not entitled to land.' This evidence, which was laid before the committee, was in the possession of the Government, and readily obtainable by Major Gudgeon at the time he made his report.—G. M. Watjbrhouse, Chairman." THE DISTRICT RAILWAYS BILL. A number of the Auckland members are opposing this Bill. Messrs. Thos. Thompson, Goldie. Withy, Monk, and R. Thomp-

son are strongly opposed to the proposal to exempt the small settlers from the payment of their rates, as being practically giving sanction to a repudiation which will ultimately extend to the larger landholders.

THE MOKAU JONES CASE. The report of the commission appointed to enquire into the petition of Mr. Joshua Jones, of Mokau, came back to Ministers from His Excellency the Governor this morning. No time will now be lost by the Cabinet in arriving at a decision with regard to it. The nature of the report is, so far, jealously guarded. AUCKLAND HOSPITAL RESERVES BILL. This Bill passed its third reading in the Legislative Council to-day, and has come down from the " Lords' " Chamber. It has been referred to the Local Bills Committee, which moets to-morrow forenoon, when Mr. (ioldie will give evidence before it so as to enable the Bill to be pushed on the same day. THE UNEMPLOYED.

• I understand that Mr. Mitchelson has got some 200 of the Napier unemployed on his hands. The local authorities were desirous of having them employed on the erection of a sea-wall for the marine esplanade, but the Minister for Public Works does not coincide with that scheme as being one which specially benefited the township, but not the colony. It is his intention to place them on formation works on the Manawatu Gorge section of the Wellington-Woodville line. This will be reproductive work, as the Napier section is at present earning 4£ per cent, on the invested capital, or a half per cent, above the interest payable ; while the Gorge section, when completed, is expected to pay .'} per cent, from the outset. I understand some £2000 to £3000 will be put on the Supplementary Estimates for the unemployed at the Gorge section. THE NORTHERN NATIVE FEUD.

The Native Minister, speaking to me to-day respecting the recent native feud in the Whangarei district, said he deemed it advisable to let the natives calm down before taking any steps to deal with the offenders while they were in an excited state, with arms in their hands. Hasty action might do more harm than good, and nothing would be lost by waiting.

THE MERCANTILE MARINE.

An inquiry is to be raised whether it is the case, as recently stated, that the service of a second oliicer did not count as " officer's service,' , thus precluding his eligibility for examination as mate, and if so the Government will be asked to alter or amend the law so as to remove the injustice to the seamen of the New Zealand merchant service.

TWO LAND CASES. In reply to Mr. Kelly as to whether the Government intended to give effect to the recommendations of the Waste Lands Committee in the cases of Leonard Simpson and Stephen Earle, the Minister of Lands said the caso of the former was referred to tho Assistant Surveyor - General, Mr. Percy Smith, for some information ; and in regard to that of Earlc it would receive favourable consideration.