POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 849, 8 June 1888, Page 16

POLITICAL NOTES.

The total number of secessions from, the Ministerial party on the tariff question is now variously stated at 17, 1.8, and 20.

The Government are understood to have adopted a very distinct and decided attitude with reference to the present complex situation. They insist on the second reading of the Customs Duties Bill, and on the acceptance in Committee of all its main provisions. That is to say, they will not allow the tariff to be i layed with, or wantonly or extensively altered. If members attempt to destroy the tariff and succeed in obtaining a vote in their favour, then Ministers will at once resign and leave the responsibility with those who bring about the crisis. But they will not object to minor modifications on details, or to amendments made in a friendly spirit, which do not materially alter the tariff, or its character, or its revenue-producing capabilities. That is to say, they will not consent to such changes as would reduce to a serious extent the revenue required to be obtained through the new duties. Nor will they allow to be struck out or substantially altered the duties which have been put on with the object of encouraging local industries. They will, in short,°not permit the spirit of their proposals to be destroyed, but they would not “fall out ” about any trifling modification that might be found desirable for the sake of making the tariff better workable.

. The debate on the second reading of the Customs Duties Bill, so far as it has gone, has been about the best of the session. In the afternoon (Wednesday) Mr Hobbs, Dr Newman, MrSmith, Mr Cowan, MrSuiartMeuteath, Mr Macarthur, Dr BLodgkinson, and Mr Taylor spoke ; and in the evening Mr Hutchison, -Mr Fergus, Mr Grimmond, Mr W. P. Beeves, Major Steward, and Mr Buchanan. The debate stood adjourned till 2.30 next day, when Mr Allen resumed it. It is not expected that a division will be taken before to-night, ,

A ourious incident occurred in Wednesday night’s debate. Just before supper, after JUnjor Steward had spoken, there was a long pause, and the Speaker proceeded to put ■ the question. Both “ ayes ” and “ noes ” were , taken, and the Speaker had actually declared that “ the ayes had it,” and that the motion was accordingly carried, when the Premier, who apparently had not noticed what was going ou, jumped up and said he wished to reply. Notwithstanding that he had already declared the motion carried, Sir Maurice O’Rorke allowed the debate to be reopened ; and Sir Harry Atkinson was proceeding to reply, when be noticed that the member for Wairarapa was making signs that he, too, wanted to contribute h« share to the discussion. The Premier asked if this were so, and receiving a reply in the affirmative, sa: down, and Me Buchanan “sailed in.”

It is noteworthy that Mr W. C. Smith, by moving that the Tariff Bill be read that day six mouths —which is virtually a no coulidence motion, and if carried must turn out the Ministry —ha3 practically assumed the leadership o’f the Opposition, and would presumably be “sent for” to form anew Government if his motion were carried.

A siugular misconception seems to exist in aoine quarters that under the new tariff fanoy goods will be admitted free of duty. It is difficult to understand how such a mistaken notion could have arisen. So far front this being the case, the import duty oa such goods is increased from 15 per cent, ad valorem to 20 per cent, which is stiff enough, one would think.

It is calculated tjiat there is a safe, if small, majority in favour of the tariff. Should the event prove otherwise, aud Ministers be defeated by the votes of their own Bide, the consequence must bo either resignation or a dissolution. In the former case a reconstruction under Sir Harry Atkinson would be the most probable outcome in the absence of any other available leader.

One of the happiest speeches of the debate on Wednesday was that of Mr W. P. Beeves, who scored heavily off the opponents of the Government, and made a capital defence of the Premier, in the course of which he reviewed Sir Julius Vogel's joke about the one man

who advocated Sir Harry Afckluson at the elections and was taken for a. luuatio. Ln much better form, though undoubtedly a bold effort in the House, was a Latin jeu d’esprit aimed at Mr Scobie Mackenzie — ‘'Viotrix causa Diis placuit, sed victa Scobeii.e,, the victorious cause pleased the gods, but the conquered cause pleased Scobie.

The New Plymouth Hospital Bill having been declared a local Bill, has been returned to New Plymouth, where the necessary formalities in connection with such a measure will be observed.

The Workmen's Wages Bill (Mr Guinness) provides that any person employing labor shall pay any wages due to air employe three days after the engagement is terminated. ii r Q-

We hear that Messrs Baker Brothers have just had inquiries from a Southern capitalist who is prepared to invest £IO,OOO in Wei* lington city property. . It was decided at the meeting of the Management Committee of the Rugby Football Union to send a letter to Mrs Fitz Gerald, widow of ■ the .late Mr Wm. Fitz Gerald, expressing deep sympathy with her in her recent sad bereavement. The deceased gentleman was one of the vice-presi-dents of the Union.

The Commissioner of Police has issued an order entitling Sergcaut Pratt, of Auckland, Sergeant Mbrice, of Wellington, and Sergeant McDonald, of Christchuroh, to hold the rapk of acting Sergeant-Major. The whole of the officers in charge of the central police stations in the four principal cities now therefore hold the rank .of SergcautMajor. ■-•

The adjourned annual meeting of the ratepayers of the Wellington Road District was held at the Boards office on Wednesday at noon. Mr D. Speedy occupied the bhair. The Treasurer read the balance-sheet as audited, and the report of, the auditor thereon. It was decided, ou the motion of Mr Perkius, seconded by Mr. Russell, that the balancesheet bo passed, and that the Chairman sign the same as the true accounts of the Board. This was all the business. The death is announced in our telegrams this week of the Earl of Seafield. He sat in the House of Lords under tho title of Baron Strathspey. He belongs to the Ogilvie-Grant family, of Scotland. He was born in 1817, and succeeded to the title in ISS4. He was M.P. for Elgin and Nairn from 18(58 to 1874, and was a supporter of the Liberal party. He owned an estate of 805,930 acres, from which he drew a rental of £75,227- He was thrice married. Tho annual meeting of the Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Company will be held in the Athemeum Hall on Wednesday, the 27th June, at S p.m. - The business is to receive the Directors’ annual report and balance-sheet, to elect two Directors, to eleot two auditors and fix their renumeration. The transfer books of the Company will be closed on the 11th instant until after the meeting. All nominations must be lodged at the registered office of the Company at Petone, on or before the 12th instant. The Chairman of the Te Aro Licensing Committee (Mr J. Petherick) expressed himself rather strongly with regard to the reputation and character of some of tho licensees of hotels in tho city, at the annual meeting of the Committee on Wednesday. He said he would like to see the Act amended so that

single men and women should not be allowed to keep hotels. He considered that licenses * should only bo granted to married people. He knew there were many men asd women of questionable character who had come here and taßen public-houses. Manyrnf them came without reputations, and some of them were living in a state of adultery. There were many good people keeping public-houses ; but it was the others whom he had mentioned that brought them into disrepute.

A pleasing ceremony was performed at the Star Hotel on Wednesday, M r C Penny, a mem ■ ber of the Rival Football Club, who is leaving for Sydney, being presented with a handsome gold Maltese cross, suitably inscribed, by the members of tho Cljib. Mr Gillon, captain of the Club, made tbe presentation, and Mr Penny suitably replied. On Tilesday evening Mr Penny was presented with a gold locket, by the employes of Messrs Thompson, Shannon, and Co., in which firm lie has been employed for the last four years. The ceremony took place at the Post Office. Hotel, tho presentation being made by Mr T. McMillan. Mr Penny acknowledged the generous gift of his fellow-employes in suitable terms. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Wellington district Road Board was held in the Board’aoffice Wednesday. Therewerepresent Messrs Speedy,. Perkins, and Russell. On the motion of Mr Perkius, seconded by Mr Russell, Mr Speedy was elected Chairman for the ensuing year. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Perkins, seconded by Mr Rns3el!, that it is the intention of the Board, at a meeting to be held on Wednesday, the 4th July next, to levy a rate of 4cl in the £ for the year ending the 31st March, 1889, payable in one instalment on and after the 4th day of July, 1888; and that the ratebook be open for inspection on and after tho 19th June instant at the office of the Board, Lower Hutfc, and that tbe clerk call for tenders- for collecting tbe same. Messrs Prouse Bros, presented an application, signed by the settlors of the district, asking to be allowed to eoustruct and use a tramway along any portion of the road leading from their sawmill to Silver.-dream, and erect crossings whore required, but not to interfere with any portion of the present roadformation ; and,, on the proposition of Mr S. Russell, seconded by Mr Perkins, permission was granted to Messrs Prouse Bros, to erect a tramway-on condition that no ob3trnction was * caused to tho travelling public, and that it be removed at auy time by them when required to do so by the Board. The matter of a road-line through Mr Tyer’a property, at Ngauranga, to Mr T. Hawking's property, was ordered to stand over till next meeting, the Warden of No. 1 Ward not being present. .Messrs Speedy, Rusboll, and Perkins were appointed to inspect a culvert on Waiwetu road, and

report to next meeting. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £lßl 18s 3d. The meeting then terminated.

It is reported that a well-known Wellington resident is negotiating for the purchase of a couple of thousand acres of the Rangatira Block.

The captain and officers o£ the cable steamer SherarJ Osborne gave a ball on board that steamer on Wednesday night. There were about 40 couples/- present, and the dance proved thoroughly enjoyable. A band under Mr W. Ring supplied the music.

Plaintiffs were awarded judgment in the following cases, by Mr H. W. Robinson, R.M., in the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday:—J.. Chap pie v. S. Cooper, 10s, and costs (is ; J. Thompson v. T. Smith, £IS Os (id, and costa £1 Is ; Smart and Co. v. J. H. Coward, 17s, and costs (is; same v. George Lomas, 10s, and costs Oa ; same v. Mrs McNalty v. Alice Ryau, 10s 0(1, and costs Os;

Several more witnesses were examined by thePublicPetitionsCommitteeon Wednesday on the juvenile depravity question. The evi-i. denoe was of a sensational character. A strong point of the evidence wont to show the advantages of t e adoption of tho Contagious Diseases Act as tending to lessen directly and indirectly the evils, complained of iu the public petition presented to Parliament.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, before Mr H. W. Robinson, R.M., Mary Blanche was charged with having been druuk and disorderly in lorystreet on the previous evening. Ilis Worship imposed a line of 10s, or in default 24 hours imprisonment. A young man named Henry Hedderwiek was charged with haviug assaulted a woman named Julia Wilson, in Quin-street, on the previous ovening. In consequence of the severe treatment the complainant had received she was unable to appear, and the case had to be adjourned until this morning.

The Star of Newtown Lodge, 1.0.G.T., held its session on Tuesday evening last, at 7.30 p,m., P.W.C.T. Bro Jones presiding. One member was added to the roll, fraternal greetings were conveyed by Bros Grom, the North Star Lodge, lvaikoura, and Prido of Havvkes Bay Lodge, Napier, and it was resolved that the courtesy be returned. The usual routine business having been transacted the Lodge took up tho programme for the evening, English songs, readings, and recitations, which was carried out with spirit, the various members aud visitors contributing to the same with promptitude. A cordial welcome aud vote of thanks to tho various visitors brought the business to a finish, and . the Lodge was closed at 9.30 p.m. in the usual manner. The body of a young mau was found floating in the harbor near the steamer Stella, which is lying alongside the Railway Wharf, about 8 o’clock yesterday morning. Although the body was in a very decomposed state it was subsequently identified a 3 that of a man named William Pope, who has been missing since the 20th May. The deceased was a steerage passenger from Dunedin to Groymouth by tbe steamer Koranui, and on tbe night of the date mentioned he was heard to get out of his bunk and go on deck by Mr Forsythe, the chief steward of the steamer, aud since then nothing had been heard of him until his remains were found yesterday moruing. The body was at once taken to the morgue, where an inquest was held during tho afternoon. Dr Johnson (District Coroner) presided, and Mr P. Coffey was chosen foreman of a jury of six. Constable H. Stewart deposed to recovering the body. Thomas Forsythe, chief steward of the Koranui, gave evidence to identifying the body. Had heard the deceased say that he was a billiard-marker. He appeared to be a temperate man, and when he retired to bed on the 20th he was perfectly sober. Heard him get up again about half ail hour after retiring, and witness called out to him to go back to his bed. The deceased made no answer. On missing him next morning witness made inquiries at all the hotels near the wharf, but nothing had been seen of the deceased. He then reported tile matter to the police. Andrew True, a mariner, employed on the freezing hulk Jubilee, deposed to seeing the body floating in the water. Tho jury, without retiring, returned a verdict of found drowned.

The annual meeting of the Porirua Licensing Committee was held at Porirua ou Wednesday, there being present Messrs Darby, Death, Prior, Jones, and Smith. Mr Darby, who had been appointed in place of Mr Exley, who had resigned, was elected chairman. I’enowals were granted as follows : William Claphain, Ngauranga Inn, and Tilley, Paiaakariki -Hotel. Iu the case of Arthur -M. Rieharilubn, Whito Horse Hotel, Ngauranga, Constable Slight pointed out that more light was required in tho dining room. Mr Richardson promised to. attend to it. 4.icons'! granted. With regard to Mr W. Pinkerton's application for a renewal of the Pauatahanui . Hotel, Constable Slight stated that there was no water on the, premises during the summer, and that the former licensee had had to get tho water required for use in tho hotel carried from a stream about 100 yards away. He suggested that tanks should be provided, so that there would bo water on the premises in case of fire. The applicant consented to do this. Tho license was granted. With reference to Mr Ay ton’s application for the renewal of the license of the Porirua Hotel, Mr Smith, one of the Committee, stated that complaints had been made to lum that the beds were not kept tidy. Constable Slight said that Mr Smith having mentioned the matter to him, he had paid two visits to tile hotel, and on both occasions ■he had found the beds clean and all . that could bo desired. He had also made inquiries of tho Ven Archdeacon Stock and other persons who had stopped in the hotel, and they had expressed satisfaction with the beds. The former gentleman had expressed tho opinion that the place was very well kept indeed. The Chairman said he had been informed that a lady and her little boy had been refused accommodation at tho hotel. Mr Ayton explained that it was on the night of tho Porirua races, and the place was full. Tho application was grauted. This was all the business, and the Committee then adjourned,