WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9380, 1 June 1889, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] Wellington, Friday. RAILWAY FARES AND FREIGHTS. A supplementary to. the Gazette was issued to-day, containing the new fares and freights. This supplement contains 57 papers. ADDRESS-IN-REI'LY. The Government have not come to any decision as to the selection of the mover and seconder of the Address-in-Reply to the Vice-regal Speech. Messrs. Hartness and Saunders arc likely to be asked to perform that duty. EDUCATION. The Government have decided not to introduce any measure to amend the Education Act next session. THE LAND ACT. Some pressure, I understand, has been brought to bear upon the Government to alter certain provisions of this Act, but it is considered that the Act has worked well, and has done a good deal to promote settlement during the time it has been in operation. The statement made to the effect that it promotes speculation is denied upon inquiry into certain allegations that have been made. The Government do not intend to bring in any Bill to amend it.

REDISTRIBUTION OK TUB POLITICAL FRANCHISE.

Various statements have been made from time to time as to the position of the Government during the coming session if they should be forced into a position of difficulty by refractory members, and sustain a defeat. The idea was that they could not go to the country without getting the assent of the House to the appointment of the Boundary Commission. This would, of course, create a difficulty, if the House should choose to reconsider and rescind its resolution of last year. The rumour appears to have reached the Government, and this morning's journal refers to the subject in the following emphatic language: — "There is no foundation for the report which has found some currency that a difficulty exists in the way of appointing Electoral Boundary Commissioners in consequence of Parliament's refusal to do so last year. The Government are quite clear that they possess all the requisite power in this respect, and will no doubt exercise it in duo course when the proper time arrives."

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE. I have seen a good deal of Mr. R. J. Creighton during his stay in Wellington this week. He is sanguine of obtaining support for the fortnightly San Francisco and English steam service. I put the question to a member of the Cabinet as to the exact position of this matter. The reply was that it had not arrived at the stage when it could bo discussed. There had been no certain and definite proposition made by Mr. Creighton. I think Mr. Creighton will oncounter more opposition here than he anticipates, unless he possesses authority to state definitely the assistance the United States Government will give by way of subsidy. DISCOVERY OF ASBKSTOS. It is said that Mr. Ned Thomas, late of the Thames Gold field, has discovered a rich lode of asbestos at Mount Arthur in the Nelson province. The stuff is said to bo of the best quality, and there is plenty of it. It is said also that the best quality is soiling in London at £300 a ton. DAIRY PRODUCE. The Minister of Lands has received from Professor Long his complete report, the substance of which has been published in the Herald. The Minister of Lands has decided to publish the complete report in pamphlet form, and circulate it for the information of those concerned in this important industry.