POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9147, 31 August 1888, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL correspondent.] Wellington, Thursday. THE GISBORNE HARBOUR BOARD BILL. This Bill, as passed, provides for all precautions as to a poll of the ratepayers on the works and loan, so that if the works are carried out, the ratepayers enter upon the enterprise with a full knowledge of their liabilities and responsibility. DISTRESS WARRANTS. Mr. Moss brought under notice of the Minister of Justice, to-day, the alleged excessive fees, especially poundage fees, in connection with distress warrants. In these time unfortunate people had enough to do to get along without paying these large charges. He had no doubt they were authorised, but he did not consider them as legitimate. The Minister of Justice said he would inquire into the matter. He was glad to hear there was no charge of irregularity in administration. THE MOKAU MOHAKATINO BILL. This Bill was finally passed in the Legislative Council, to-day. Sir F. Whitakcr, Attorney-General, carefully explained its provisions and their legal effect, so that there was no opposition. Mr. Jones is more reconciled to the measure to-day after hearing the legal bearings explained. I understand that the Government are disposed to see that substantial justice is done to him. A hope is now expressed that the Mokau County and the coal deposits will shortly bo opened up. THE TARAWERA ERUPTION. As soon as possible the Native Minister intends to inquire into the condition of the Tuhourangi tribe, who were rendered homeless by the Tarawera eruption. This is done with a view of getting them put on suitable land if it is available. THE TAUPONUITIA BLOCK. A lengthy discussion took place this forenoon with regard to this case, which arose out of a petition from certain natives to the Public Petitions Committee. Major Jackson strongly urged the Government to appoint a commission and place those claimants on a proper footing as regards the land in question. Unless something was done there was a probability of a repetition of the Whangarei episode. Mr. Hobbs endorsed Major Jackson's remarks. He said during the six years he was on the Native Affairs Committee, cases of grievances of natives came before him, which made his heart ache. A change was required in the whole system of Native Land Court administration. Mr. Kelly, chairman of the Native Affairs Committee, made an explanatory statement of the case. On the motion of Major Jackson, the evidence taken before the Public Petitions Committee was ordered to be printed. THE CLOSING SCENE. The House met at noon and adjourned at one o'clock, and resumed at a quarter past three, thirty members being present. A number of Bills were reported by the Speaker as having received the Governor's assent. The Premier then stated that the House would be prorogued by proclamation, and moved the adjournment of the House to this day week. Mr. Hobbs challenged a division, his object being to have recorded the names of those members who had remained to the last, at the post of duty, as was done last session. On the question being put. the second time, Messrs. Fish and Hobbs exclaimed simultaneously, " The noes have it." Just then the Speaker seemed to be seized with a sudden access of deafness, for his sonorous voice resounding over the vacant benches and empty galleries, declared "The ayes have it." A burst of laughter and cheers followed as members sallied out of the House, and so the curtain fell, on the parliamentary drama of 18SS. in order to retrieve Mr. Hobbs' blighted hopes of such immortality as the chronicles of Hansard jafford, I may mention that the Auckland members present at the closing scene were the Hon. E. Mitchelson, Messrs. Hobbs, Kelly, R. Thompson, Graham, Lawry, and Major Jackson. The usual prorogation proclamation will appear in the Gazette.

MR. T. W. HISLOP'S VISIT TO AUCKLAND. It is stated that the Colonial Secretary will leave for Auckland early next week in order to sec for himself the working of the Avondale Lunatic Asylum, and the causes of the unrest which has latterly appeared in the institution. THE MINISTER OF LANDS AND MINES. The Hon. G. F. Richardson will, as soon as departmental arrears of business are cleared up, now the session is over, personally inspect the village settlements, and inquire into the working of the system, besides making a tour round the Thames, Ohinemuri, and Coromandel goldfields. THE NATIVES AND THE GOVERNOR. Mr. Taiwhanga and twenty-five other native chiefs had an interview with His Excellency the Governor this morning, for the purpose of explaining their objections to the native Bills. Having heard what they had to gay His Excellency expressed his opinion that the Bills were in the interest of the natives, and that having compared them with the Bill the natives themselves had drawn up, it seemed to him they would get all they wanted, as far as he could gather from that Bill and the opinion expressed at the Wanganui meeting. All that was necessary was that the law as expressed in the Bills should be faithfully administered. The chiefs are now getting a memorial prepared to the Queen, which will be presented to-morrow to His Excellency for transmission to Her Majesty. THE PRESS AND THE TELEGRAPH. In closing my Parliamentary correspondence I desire to thank the Telegraph authorities for their courteous co-operation in the speedy transmission of press messages. At the outset of the session Mr. C. C. Robertson, the officer in charge, kindly extended the messenger service at Parliamentary Buildings from midnight to one in the morning, so as to facilitate the speediest transmission of morning paper messages. To his subordinate officers I desire also to express my obligations for courtesies received. MISCELLANEOUS. A Cabinet meeting took place this evening, when various questions were discussed and settled. The Hon. Mr. Hiaiop intended to leave for Auckland to-morrow morning, but has postponed his departure till Tuesday, to have the company of Sir Frederick Whitaker. I understand the Government intend to despatch Mr. Gordon to the Melbourne Exhibition shortly after his return from the Mahakipawa goldfields, in order to inspect and report upon the gold-saving appliances to be seen there.