WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8270, 31 May 1890, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—-OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wkllington, Friday, CABINET. Ministers met in Cabinet this afternoon Nothing appears to be known as to the questions discussed. It is not thought that any subjects of goneral policy will be entertained before tho arrival of the AttorneyGeneral and the Minister of Public Works. CHARITABLE AID AMENDMENT BILL. Public interest appears to be re-awakened in this measure, which the Government are pledged to introduce early in the next session of Parliament. The following resolution passed by the Wairarapa Board, one or two references to tho subject by members of local bodies, and the case of the old men evicted from the VVhau Asylum, appear to have fixed general attention upon the subject, just now. A conference of the Wairarapa local bodies has come to the following resolution, which represents in a forcible manner one aspect of the difficulty which the Government will have to face:—"That this Conference resents in the strongest manner the intolerable wrong inflicted upon this district by depriving it of local government in charitable aid matters ; that it views with the gravest apprehension the complete destruction of healthy private benevolence, ,and the growth of pauperism, which have been brought; about by the present unjust system of taxation ; that a deputation wait upon the Premier, asking that a clause be introduced in the Bill, making the Wairarapa Charitable Aid District coterminous with the Wairarapa Hospital District." I have made some enquiries as to the present mind of the Government on the subjects raised, in considering such a measure, but I am informed that it is one of the Dills which will come before the full Cabinet in tho course of a few days. At present, therefore, it must be accepted as a fact that the Bill in the shape it is likely to come down when submitted to Parliament has not yet been considered by the Cabinet. But I learn from a source usually well informed that the draft of the Bill of last session will be closely followed, that provision may be made or suggested in the Bill itself or during the discussion of it for special cases that have been brought under the notice of the Government. The probability is that when tho Bill shall have been brought down it will bo relegated to a special committee of the House of Representatives to go through it clause by clause, and make such amendments as may be thought desirable. It is thought that in this way local exigencies and opinions may be made to harmonise with the endeavour of the Government to pass a measure that will not only be effective for the great variety of purposes of its existence, but at tho same time be acceptable to the local bodies throughout the colony, whether acting in union with others or separately. As to special provision for special cases, that is a matter that would come up for consideration in committee. The definitions under all the Bills which have hitherto been prepared of the classes of persons who arc the legitimate objects of benevolent aid are said to be extremely imperfect, being both loose and wide, and hence the state of things which have led to the extrusion of the old imbeciles from the Whau. At present the Government say that they have doctor's certificate that these persons are not lunatics, and therefore not to bo confined in a lunatic asylum. One of your j Auckland doctors says they are " men of unsound mind, and therefore lunatics," but a definition derived from pathological science will not answer the purpose in any case. I understood that Dr. McGregor was going to Auckland on this business. He certainly gave us a reason on one occasion that he could not remain long in Wellington " that he had to go to Auckland in a few days," but 1 have had an interview with him, and learned that the business of his department just now is very pressing, and that he could not say exactly when he would be in Auckland. As matters at present stand the case of the " old men from the Whau" is considered determined, but there will, I believe, be an effort made to determine more exactly who shall be fit for confinement in lunatic asylums, and who shall have claims to the aid of public charity. Most of tho persons I have spoken to on this subject of future legislation in respect of charitable, aid believe that it is only by some machinery such as a special committee the various and conflicting interests of ratepayers may be reconciled, or made to coalesce.

THE LAW AND THE DEFENCE DEPARTMENTS. A curious case arose to-day in the Resident Magistrate's Court here. The bailiff of the Court had to serve a member of the defence force with a summons. When the bailiff went to Fort Gordon he was refused admission. '-'No admittance except on business" was not only written up, but announced in a very peremptory voice. The bailiff next complains to the magistrate ; a solicitor in court is quite willing to accept service for the gentleman for whom the summons was intended, bub the bailiff looked further ahead, for he informed the court that the thing might occur again. The subject was referred to the Department of Justice. There is little doubt that some form of substituted service will be adopted. SALE OK THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. It is stated that negotiations for the transfer of this property are still in progress It is even alleged that the intending purchaser has paid a deposit of £300, which he is to forfeit if he does not complete the transaction. As to the price for the paper itself several sums are mentioned, between £5000 and £9000.