POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 859, 17 August 1888, Page 28

POLITICAL NOTES.

There was a slight breeze between the .Chairman of Committees and Mr Moss yesterday week. M> Moss had interjected a remark that a question had not been put; and Mr Hamlin, considering this a reflection on the chair, remarked that the hon gentleman could take the chair if he liked, and he (Mr Hamlin) would vacate it. To this Mr Moss replied rather heatedly that he objected to being spoken to in that manner, and maintained his right to make a respectful remark. The Chairman, who had recovered his equanimity, blandly explained the position to Mr Moss, and the business proceeded.

Yesterday week the Premier read the following cable message from Mr Louisson (Mayor of Christchurch), a member of the Exhibition Commission, respecting the mining exhibits :—“ Having seen unfavourable reports in reference to the exhibition of minerals, Commissioners, in meeting assembled this day, after due inspection, beg to inform you that criticism is entirely premature. Every effort is in progress to. make the display thoroughly representative, and when complete the exhibits will be the best New Zealand has ever shown, and a credit to the Colony.” This message was received with cheers.

Some three weeks ago"a large deputation of Wellington and Hawkes Bay members, introduced by Dr Newman and Mr Ormond, waited upon the Premier to urge upon him the speedy completion of the Manawatu Gorge Railway. The deputation arose out of the very unsatisfactory reply given in the House by the Public Works Minister to Dr Newman, to the effect that the railway would not be finished for three years from this session. The reply to the question has been eagerly looked forward to by many people in these districts, and is to be found in the advertisement calling for tenders for the Pohaugina bridge, to be due on the 25th September. The Pohangina bridge is expected to take about 18 months to finish, and if the other sections of the railway are speedily begun the whole gap can be bridged within that date, and then there will be a large accession to the trade and prosperity of these districts, Jn tho Mapawatu

Gorge bridge a great deal of ironwork is wanted, and should be tendered for by the foundries here. Hitherto the bulk of ironwork for such large bridges has beeu successfully undertaken by Christchurch firms. Should one of the firms in this city get the ironwork it would afford work to a good many foundry mon who are idly walking about our streets vainly seeking it.

It is alleged that there is growing up (since the rule of payments upon “strict average ” wa3 determined upon) a custom of dismissing the children from the public schools, and closing them, upon very slight pretence?, on the plea that the keeping of them open with a reduced attendance would affect tho Boards' finances, and cause aslightf reduction in the head-teachers’ salaries by reducing the “ strict average ” which capitation and head-teachers’ salaries are computed. Tho Minister of Education is being urged by Mr Goldie to make inquiries into the extent of the ovil, and, if necessary, take such stops as will put an end to the practice.

Mr Taiwhanga had spoken altogether about eight hours when ho sat down at halfpast 1 Friday morning. He was greatly exhausted earlier in the night, and had the Government elected to go straight on at halfpast 10 instead of taking the usual half hour’s adjournmeut for supper, the debatable clause (that repealing the Native Lands Administration Act) would probably have been passed very soon. When Mr Taiwhanga sat down at half-past 1 a point of order was being discussed, and when that had been disposed of he did not appear to realise that the clause was being put as it wa3 and carried on the voices. Clause 4 was moved, however. Sir George Grey moved an amendment, and Mr Taipua, who followed him, spoke for over an hour. He was to be followed by Mr Taiwhanga, who, quite refreshed by his rest, was preparing to go on with renewed vigour.

Politics last Friday might be summed up in the one word “stonewall,” for nothing else was thought or talked about in the lobbies.

The Goldfields Committee mot last Friday morning, and took the evidence of Messrs G. Tolhurst, S. Brown, Gordon (Mining Inspector), aud R. B. Gore with reference to the number and quantity of mineral exhibits at the Melbourne Exhibition. The Committee, having taken evidence, adjourned to consider their decision.

For good service In the Native cause during the recent stonewalling, Mr R. H. J. Reeves is, it is said, to have various privileges and emoluments conferred upon him. There is reason to believe that he is to be made a chief, and that to support tho dignity of such a position in society he will get a grant of some millions of acres of land. It is understood that if Mr Reeves succeeds in acquiring a knowledge of the Maori language (which he will at once begin to study) he will stand for one of the Native constituencies at the next general election.

The outcome of the stonewall’ng of this session will almost certainly be tho introduction of cloture rules, like those so successfully adopted by the House of Commons in England. There all obstruction is put down ruthlessly ; the country gains enormously,and the Commons are now a businesslike body of men.

A slight revival of the Maori stonewalling took place on Monday, but soon collapsed, and then the Native Bill went on with fair rapidity.

The Premier explained on Monday the nature of the letter received from Mr Whitworth, of Melbourne, respecting the mining exhibits at the Exhibition. Mr Whitworth suggests that three tons of quartz should be sent from mines in Coromandel at a cost of £IOOO, and he will arrange to get it crushed. As a proof of his bona fides in the matter, Mr Whitworth offers to advance £IOO toward the expense.

The advisableness of introducing next session a Bill having for its object the enforcing of uniformity in marking frozen beef and mutton exported from the Colony, so as to prevent frauds in the English markets, is to be urged on the Government.

The desirableness of sending a Technical Commission, consisting of Mr Gordon aud two experts, over to the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition, for the purpose of investigate ing the different processes exhibited there for the better saving of gold, has been suggested to the Minister of Mines.

As tho contract for the Midland Railway has now been signed, it is proposed that the Government should take immediate stops to have the 750,000 acres of mining reserves, or so much of the same as is immediately required for mining purposes, set apart and withdrawn from selection by tho Company.

The Government have arranged for sending to the Melbourne Exhibition 10 tons of representativo New Zealand auriferous ores (five tons from each island) to be crushed and tested by the machinery there exhibited.

Elizabeth Bubear has petitioned Parliament praying for a reward for assistance in bringing the incendiaries, Hind and Collins, to justice.

The Goldfields Committee having taken evidence on Fridas while tho House was sitt;ng against the standing order in suoh case made and provided—the Chairman (Mr Seddon) on Monday asked, the sanction of the House to their proceedings. The request was granted, though somewhat grudgingly on the part of Mr Fish.

A petition from Mr John Lundon, claiming payment of moneys alleged to be due to him in connection with managing village settlements in the north of Auckland, was presented by Mr T. Thompson on Monday. Mr Lundon states in his petition’ that ho propounded a scheme to the Minister of Lands (Mr Ballance) in 1886, with which the Minister was impressed to such an extent that he prevailed on the petitioner to undertake

the management of settlement, whieh Mr London did for three reasons—(l) Personal regard for the Minister ; (2) to help the unemployed ; and (3) to.enhance the interests of the northern districts. He was not to draw any stated salary, so aB to avoid being under any department, but all his expenses were to be paid out of unauthorised expenditure, leaving it to the Government to remunerate him if his services were beneficial to the State. In March, 1887, the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Aucklandcertified to a voucher for £250 12s 6d for petitioner’s personal expenses only at the rate ..of 12s fid a day, but the voucher, which he assigned to the National Bank, was returned dishonoured. Three montliß later he was paid £4O by the Crown Lands Department, but the prayer is that £250 12s 6d, minus this £4O, and other sums, amounting in the aggregato to £56 Ss 2d, should be paid to him.

The Premier’s mail-service resolutions did not come on for discussion on Tuesday, but were postponed at his instance. Most of the afternoon's sitting was occupied in talking over a breach of privilege case, and the evening was devoted to the further consideration of the remaining Native Bills.

A meeting of members interested in the District Railways Purchasing Bill was held on Tuesday, The amendments proposed by the Government were Considered at length, and as the amendments providing for keeping of accounts did not seem clear, the meeting was adjourned to obtain information respecting them.

The close of the session does not seem very near at hand, even allowing for business being rushed through at the finish. Each day seems to set the prorogation further off instead of bringing it nearer.

Oh the petition qf Mr Robert Maoalister, late provincial auditor for this district, the Public Petitions Committee on Tuesday reported that in their opinion the petitioner was “only legally entitled to the sum of £978 16s Cd, as provided for by the Civil Service Act, 1866. Mr Fitzherbert contended that the'Committee should have considered the equity rather than the legality of the case, and moved that the petition be referred back to the Committee. This provoked a short discussion, but eventually Mr Fitzherbert’s amendment was negatived on the voices.

Mr O’Callaghan asked tho Government, without notice on Tuosday, whether it was true that the Hutl River was being dynamited by the police, who were looking for a body in the river, and that in consoquence very serious damage was being done to valuable fish. The Premier promised that inquiries should at once be made.

The Waste Lands Committee have decided by 7 to 6 to report on the petition of the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company that the petitioners have no equitable claim on the Colony, Mr O’Callaghan drew attention on Tuesday to the fact that this was stated in an evening paper, though the report had not been presented, and he asked why it was that the information was given to the people before it was given to the House. Mr Fulton (Chairman of the Committee) explained that the report would have been presented that day, but as he wished to get the minutes complete, it was postponed till next day.

With a view, doubtless, of fulfilling his promise thoroughly to inquire into the little irregularities in the-Way of paying honorarium, Mr Hobbs has given notice to move for a return showing the names of members who have during the past seven years drawn their honorarium when absent from the House through, or during, illness in their families. .

. A return showing details of outward and inward cargo carried by tho. San Francisco mail-steamers .and. by the Direct mailsteamers, also the quantity of ooalß (the produce of New Zealand) shipped at the various ports in the Colony by the aforesaid lines of steamers, during the year ended the 31st December, 1887, is going to be moved for by Mr Robs.

Dr Menzies, M.L.G., is seriously ill with bronchitis and pneumonia, and is still in such considerable danger that his friends are very anxious. . '

The exemptions of cattle and sheep-dogs from taxation (as in England) is proposed by Mr Verrall.

It is suggosted teat £SOO shall be placed on the supplementary estimates for an exhibition of Now Zealand minerals at the Paris Mineral Exhibition, to be held in May, 1889. Q-