LOBBY GOSSIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 956, 27 June 1890, Page 11

LOBBY GOSSIP.

A large number of papers, <fce., were laid oa the table of the House yesterday w< ek, inclu ling the usual reports and accounts of the in surance companies doing business in the Colony; the balance-sheets of various local bodies ,other returns under the Land Act, and statutory returns ; a copy of the new English Local Government Act (by order of last session), and various other State documents. Among the papers is the report of the Kaihu Railway Commissioners, who recommend that as the Colony is liable under the guarantee of £47,000 debentures at 5 per cent, the Government should, in terms of the mortgage deed, realise the railway property by offering it for sale, and failing a sale, that the line should only be worked ou condition that the owners of the kauri forests agree to an early conversion of their timber and so create traffic, other vise the rails and rolling stock to be removed, in which case it is estimated that £IO,OOO of the £47,000 might be recovered , but that in no case should the completion of the line be undertaken at the expense of the Colony. A curious dooument was presented to the House yesterday week by Sir George Grey. He called it a “petition,” but so far from containing any prayer it consists of a somewhat truculent intimation on the part of Harry Kinnaird Hovell that he claims £BSO compensation for losses sustained by him in consequence of being misled by certain reports to which he waß referred before purchasing his lease of Run No. 7, Sunday Island, Kermadec Group, and that unless this claim were settled by Ist May last he would have to add another £SO, as his “ expenses continue heavy until the claim is settled.” Sir Gsorge explained that f.tkis was intended to be a petition, but was couched in that form through ignorance. Some further papers relating to “ Federation and Annexation ” were presented to Parliament yesterday week, but they relate mostly to matters more than a year old, and already made public. A return of the publications issued from the Government Printing office during the past year was laid on the table of the House yesterday week. The reports of the Representation Com* missionera on the rearrangement of the electoral districts, and of General Edwards on the colonial defences, have been presented to Parliament. Both, have already been made public. The Post Office and Public Trust Office accounts were also laid on the table yesterday week. The statement of the Postal Savings Bank, which has been presented, shows that the total amount of deposits now amount to £2,191,451, a larger sum than ever before recorded. The amount per head (£24 23 lid) is less than last year, and enormously less than 1873, when it stood at £3B per head. The cost of management has been brought down from 6d per transaction iu ISSO to a little under 4d in 1890. The annual “ honorarium ” return was tabled yesterday week. It shows that 15 Legislative Councillors suffered deductions on account of absences, but that only nine members of the Lower House were thus mulcted. The annual education report (che thirteenth) was presented to Parliament yesterday week, this being, we believe, the first occasion of the education report being tabled on tb.e opening day of a session. It is, as usual, very voluminous. The increase of children attending the State schools is reported as “normal.” It is estimated that 15,000 new pupils will have to be provided for annually. The school attendance for the year was 115,456, an increase of 2771. The number of sohools was 1115, with a mean average attendance of 81. The number of teachers was 3055, the aggregate of all salaries being £295,237. The highest salary was £506 ; there were five £4OO and upward, 59 of £3OO and upward, 215 of £2OO and upward, 1022 of £IOO and upward, and 677 (beside sewing mistress and pupil teachers) receiving less than £IOO. The Sumner Deaf Mute ■School had 62 pupils, the same number as in the previous year. The cost was £3253, of which £253 was contributed by parents of pupils. The inmates of Industrial Schools have decreased in number from 1158 two years ago to 1054. Of the 169 children received during the year 67 were committed as “destitute” and 47 as “uncontrollable.” The rumour is revived, and this time with some semblance of foundation, that several fresh appointments will shortly be made to the Legislative Council, whose numerical strength is now reduced by death to an exceptionally low point. Mr Fulton, the member for Taieri, ia mentioned as a cer« tainty in this connection, and so is Mr Montgomery, the former member for Akaroa, if he will accept the appointment. Major Campbell, the ex-Clerk to Parliament, is also confidently asserted to be a coming Councillor, and the present Mayors of Wellington and Dunedin (Mr Charles Johnston and Mr John Roberts) are mentioned as probable additions to the same august body. If last week’s notices may be taken as an indication, the session is likely to be prolific in Bills. Sixteen have already been put on the Paper, noticeable among which are two old friends, which are to be introduced by Sir George Grey—a Bill to define the hours of labour, and another to repeal the Con. tagious Diseases Act. Mr Samuel will again bring in his Bill to amend the law relating to divorce, and Major Steward the School Committees Election Bill. The other Bills of which notice were given were : —Mr Buchanan, a Bill to amend the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act, 1885 ; Mr Hutchison, the Patea Harbour Bill ; Mr Peacock, the Auckland Harbour Board Em« powering Bill; Mr Taipua, a Bill dealing with Native Reserves on the West Coast ; Mr

Macarthur, the Palmerston North Reserved Bill; the Minister of Lands, the Todman Land Grant Bill, the Sheep Bill, the Cattle Bill, the Auckland Boinan Catholic Reserves Bill, and the Gimmerburn Foreßt Reserves Bill ; Mr Hislop, the Registration of Electors bi'l and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill • j Two Bills of which the Minister cf Lands gave notice are of considerable importance. The Bill to amend the Sheep Act will consolidate a number of existing statutes, and also obviate the present cumbersome method of dealing with scab. It is considered that as the-Colony it no v free from scab, future cases should be treated a 3 quite exceptional j and in accordance with the recommendation of the conference of sheep inspectors, the Bill will give the inspectors power to deal with scab promptly, dispensing with present formalities in the way of notices to owners, &c. The Cattle Bill will effect an important reform it. connection with stock. At present eases of disease, such as cancer or tuberculosis, are dealt with by quarantining, as in the case of an epidemic, and thus the cattle trade of a district may be serioublv injured'. The Bill will do away with this, by providing that cases of this kind may be dealt with without quarantining. It will also provide for cattle returns being taken. Mr Buchanan’s amendment to the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act is to effect a charitable aid separation between Wellington City and the Wairarapa district. The latter Will comp r ise the Pahiatua and Wairarapa North and South Counties. The Petitions Classification Committee is a body which has hitherto been populai’ly pictured sitting in some remote part of the Parliamentary Buildings and transacting matters of great moment to the State. Ifc would appear, however, that that idea is an erroneous one. When the usual formal motion for the appointment of the Committee was made last Friday, Mr Izard objected, explaining that it was quite an unnecessary committee, and that its duties might well be performed by a clerk. Mr Kerr, 1 who testified that he had had to move about from one committee to another to make a quorum, also protested, but as it appeared that the Standing Orders made the motion necessary, it was put and carried. Mr Samuel’s Divorce Bill is substantially almost the same measure as he introduced last session, but it has been slightly altered in some particulars, and containe some provisions which'' have been inserted in the Victorian Divorce Extension Bill recently assented to by Her Majesty. Major Campbell’s pension is shown by a return laid on the table yesterday to be £466 13s 4d per annum. According to the same return other pensions are to be paid as follows : —H. McCulloch (Justice Depart, mentj, £233 6s 8d ; H. Morrow (Post and Telegraph), £l2O 16s Sd; R. Wilson (Marine), £65 3s 4d. Mr B. P. Bayly, formerly inspector o£ sheep in this district, has petitioned Parliament for compensation for his dismissal from the service. Mr Bayly states that he was an inspector from 1861, and was superintendent of the whole Colony from 1881 until the office was abolished in 1888. He was then appointed inspector in the Auckland district, from which position he was dismissed in 18S9, on the grounds (1) of certain passages of a report presented to the House in 18S8, and (2) neglect of duty with respect to the eradication of scab in the Miranda district (Auckland). To this Mr Bayly says that his appointment to Auckland was made ostensibly on account of the report, and that it can be proved that he was not to blame in respect jof the Miranda case. The West Coast Natives have petitioned for legislative enactment to give them redress of grievances. The Ministerial supporters are very confident of haviug a substantial majority in case of any trial of strength. Some reckon on 14 at least, and probably 16. Others, less s&Dguine, count absolutely on 8. Time will show Low far these anticipations are well founded. The School Committees Bill which Major Steward is introducing abolishes the cumulative vote, defines the word “householder” more clearly, and makes some alterations in the machinery for elections. The Postmaster-General has cabled to the American Government the decision of the New S 'Uth Wales Government with re. ference to the San Francisco mail subsidy, informing the American Government that unless an assurance is given that the American subsidy will be guaranteed, the New Zealand Government will be compelled to recommend the discontinuance of the San Francisco mail subsidy after November next. Mr Cowan, member for Hokonui, has been appointed second Government whip, to aot with Mr Macgregor, There were a good many applicants for the post, which was/' offered to Mr Bruce, member for Rangitikef, but he declined the honour. If report speaks truljq there was very nearly being a Donnybrook in miniature on the floor of the House when Mr O’Conor, locally known as the “ Buffer Lion,” realised that Mr Richard Reeves had “jumped his claim,” anglice, appropriated his seat in the Legislative Chamber. Before, however, the sacred vicinity of the Mace was bespattered with gore, an amicable arrangement was come to, and a treaty finally signed at Bellamy’s. “His Excellency has sent for Hamlin” was the pregnant rumour that circulated the lobbies on Saturday, and in view of the Governor having jumped to conclusions regarding the fate of Sir Geprga Grey’s amend®

meat, the statement, coupled as it was with the name of the genial Chairman of Committees, carried considerable weight. It was quite true, too, or at least so we are credibly informed, but the gubernatorial summons had only to do with certain Volunteer mat. ters.

The object of Mr Turnbull’s Employment of Females and Others Act Amendment Bill is to allow employes in factories where steam-power is used to take their halfholiday on Saturday. In several instances the local bodies have fixed the half-holiday in the middle of the week, and mill owners are consequently proceeded against for breaches of the Act. The Bill seeks to obviate that by allowing them to take the Saturday instead of the otherwise appointed day.

Ministers were in Cabinet on Monday morning, taking advantage of the delay afforded them by the debate on the Addreas-in-Reply, and on the amendment thereto, to further discuss some of the details of the Financial Statement.

There was quite a buzz of anticipation about the lobbies on Monday night. It was rumoured that the Government expected to receive a despatch from the Agent-General intimating Sir F. D. Bell’s intention to retire in view of Sir Harry Atkinson succeeding him in that office. It was stated, however, at a later period of the evening that no such despatch had come to hand.

Shall there be two sessions this year or only one ? Such is the not unimportant question agitating certain hon members at this juncture. In this connection, it is asserted that heads have been counted, and that there is a majority of from 14 to IS in favour of ouly one session this year. If this is so, say the moderate party, then “ Let’s to business" without waste of time.

There will be keen competition this year for the chairmanship of the M to Z Petitions Committee. Hitherto Mr T. Thompson has very efficiently filled that office, and there is a very general desire that he should be reelected to the chairmanship, but rumour hath it that Mr Joyce is consumed with ambition to occupy the post of honour, and means to fight hard for it. The odds, we understand, are in favour of Mr Thompson.

It is reported that Mr John MoKenzie, in his speech traversing the land administration of the present Government, will break the ice in connection with no less an important matter than the bursting up of large estates, more especially in the district and that vicinity. Mr McKenzie’s proposals will be in the direction of confining the operations of banking institutions strictly to the terms of their charters—that their operations, in fact, shall be of a financial character solely, the Loan and Agency Companies to be placed in a similar position as regards the acquisition of large estates. It is known that a majority of the Ministers are in favour of some such course of action, the Premier decidedly so, aud it is expected that on the conclusion of Mr McKenzie’s remarks the Minister for Lands will state what the Government are prepared to do in the direction suggested by the member for VVaihemo.

During a lull in hostilities belligerents are wont to fraternise with one another. Hence, no doubt, it was that a few of the mere pronounced of the Opposition party were to be fouud on Monday morning in the Government Whip’s room, exchanging quip and crank, and generally enjoying each others’ society. But when Mr Bryce opened the door of that room and his critical eye took in at a glance its inmates, he apologised for having evidently mißtakeD the apartment for another which he was in search of, unless, indeed, the Opposition was more disorganised than he had imagined.

Sir George Grey’s Eight Hours Bill simply provides that after a date which has yet to be fixed, eight hours shall constitute a day’s work, unless there is a contract in writing to the contrary.

The spectacle of Mr Hutchison introducing a Harbour Bill is an interesting one in view of the successful attacks the member for Waitotara, in conjunction with Dr Newman and other enthusiastic economists, made oo various ill-fated measures of that class last session. The Patea Harbour Bill, which Mr Hutchison has in charge, enables the local harbour board to borrow £SOOO for repairing its harbour works, under the Harbours Act,

giving securicy over its lands, works, and other property or income of the Board. This 4 js in addition to the £IO.OOO already authorised under the Patea Harbour Act, 1878.

Sir Geotge Grey will introduce his Law Practitioners F. 1 octavo Governor Bills shortly. The Limitation of Votes Bill, which he has brought in every session for years, will be absent this session, Sir George having been successful last year in establishing the one-man-one-vote principle.

As yet apparently nothing has been actually decided upon with reference to Sir Harry Atkinson’s retirement. Probably Sir Harry himself is still undecided, for his party are by no means unanimous on thb subject. As essentially the strong man of the party, his name alone is considered worth a' great deal, and there seems to be a fear that his retirement from actual work would represent a serious loss of power. If, however, he should leave office, it is prettv certain that Mr Bryce will be his successor. One thing is certain, that the Premier cannot carry on the active business of his office, and if he does not retire Mr Mitchelson will lead the House.

A number of members interested in the temperance question met on Monday morning to consider the Licensing Prohibition Bill to be introduced by the Government, but as only one copy of the measure was available, it was decided to adjourn until a copy could be obtained for each member. The opinion of the New Zealand

Temperance Alliauce (which has been furnished with a copy) will be awaited before further action is taken. The Bill will provide for triennial polls in each licensing district on the question whether further licenses shall be granted in the district within the triennial period. Should the vote go against prohibition, a second poll is to be taken under the present licensing laws on the question whether there shall ba • a decrease in the number of licenses. Another clause provides that in special districts, if a vote has gone in favour of licensing, a petition sent to the Government by a majority of the adult male and female residents will nullify the vote. Major Steward’s proposals to establish a modification of the Swiss system of Government in New Zealand were considered at a meeting held on Tuesday, and attended by about 25 members. Major Steward, who occupied the chair, explained the new system of government, which is the same as that advocated by him in 18S7, to the effect, briefly, that every new Parliament shall proceed to the election of an Executive of six members, who will choose two more from the Legislative Council, the eight reremaining in office while the Parliament lasts, though any one or more may be removed on a test-ballot. It was decided to ask the Government to facilitate a discussion of the matter. Some members did not care to absolutely commit themselves to the proposed reform. A meeting was subsequently held, at which there were present the following members, who approved it : Major Steward, and Messrs Joyce, Turnbull, Samuel, Kelly, Monk, Veirall, Withy, T. Mackenzie, Buxton, and O’Conor, and Dr Hodgkinson. It was then decided to appoint a committee to wait on the Premier i and ask him for facilities for having the thing discussed in the House. At an Opposition caucus held on Tuesday the names of the members present were— Messrs Ballance (in the chair), W. P. Reeves, R. H. J. Reeves, Seddon, Buxton, Joyce, Taiwhanga, Steward, Blake, Walker, Smith, Feld wick, Turnbull, Fitchett, f admau, Fraser, Moss, Kelly, J. McKenzie, E. Richardson, Verrall, Grimmond, Hutchison, and Lance. Mr Ballance explained that the meeting had been called to consider what the action of the party should be with respect to the Addreas-in-Reply debate, and other matters, such as the order of business and so on. A lengthy discussion ensued, in the course of which the land policy of the Government, the advisableneas of a dissolution, railway management, and the property-tax were touched, but no actual decision was come to in connection with the property-tax. Messrs W. P. Reeves, Fisher, J. McKenzie, and W. C. Smith, and Major Steward were among the speakers, and eventually the following resolutions were passed : —(1) That the Addresa-in-Reply should be fairly debated, but that no time ahould be loat; (2) That an appeal to the country ia desirable at the enriieat possible moment ; (3) That no appointments should be made to the Legislative Council until after a new Parliameut haa as enabled. It was understood that Mr Ballance would take the first opportunity of moving a resoJution prohibiting further appointments to the Council. The Opposition meeting was unanimous in the opinion that no additions should be made to the Council in the present state of the Colony and in view of the reduction of the number of members of the House. Sir George Grey was invited to the Opposition caucus, but did not attend it. A return laid on the table shows that during the year 1889 544 persons were committed for trial (311 in the North Islam?, and 233 in the South), of whom 350 were convicted (202 in the ISorch Island, and 148 in the South Island). The Colonial Secretary, answering a question by Mr Izard, informed the House that he intends to introduce this session a Bill dealing with the payment of common jurors, and also with the radius within which jurors may be selected, there, by reducing the present difficulties. Mr YValker asked whether Coroner’s jurors would be included, and the Colonial Secretary replied that he had not so intended, but would consider the matter. The Waitara Harbour Board was in debt on the 31st of March last £3169 10s for interest, and £528 5s for sinking fund, and the Sinking Fund Commissioners have notified the Government that unless it is prepared to take over the liabilities, existing and prospective, of the Board, they will have to realise such of the Board’s property as may be available to cover the debt. Mr T. Thompson was on Tuesday elected Chairman of the Petitions Committee M to Z, Mr C. B. Izard to a similar position on the Petitions Classification Committee, and Mr Downie Stewart to the Chairmanship of the Local Bills Committee. The Registration of Electors Bill, introduced by the Hon. Mr Hislop, has been circulated. The measure is the same as that brought down last year with an important alteration, and an equally important addition. The alteration is that, whereas in last year’s Bill a person who is unable to write was disqualified from having an elector's right, in the present measure such illiterate person can obtain an electoral right by observing certain provisions. The important addition is that the Government have for the first time recognised the right of seamen to the suffrage, and have made provision defining their qualifications to hold electoral rights. Briefly, these are that a seaman must have been employed in any capacity at sea for two years, and have been resident in the Colony continuously for the six months immediately preceding the date of making his claim, or have been sailing as a seaman during such six months on board any vessel not propelled by oars, registered in or owned in the Colony. He has to appear before a Colleofcor or Deputy.Collecfcor of Customs

and make a declaration, when his name will be placed on a special roll, and an elector’s right will be issued to him. I It is worthy of note that in the opening proceedings of the present Parliament the Government made a mistake, or, rather, were guilty of an oversight, which, had the debate on the Address-in-Reply suddenly collapsed to-day, would have seriously complicated matters in connection with the immediate delivery of the Financial State, mont. Owing no doubt to the absence of the Premier from the House, Ministers entirely forgot to give notice of the setting up of Committee of Supply, and ths omission was nob discovered, we understand, till the House met Tuesday afternoon. However, we are informed that hy leave of the House Committee of Supply may be set up without notice, so that the matter was very easily adjusted after all. Mr Joyce, the member for Lyttelton, may be said to have scored heavily. The Government this session are bringing down a Factory and Shops Bill, the provisions of which, we understand, will in the main embody those contained in Mr Joyce’s Limitation of Employes Hours of Labour Bill. Mrs Mary O’Neill, a charwoman, who was engaged from 1871 until quite recently in assisting to clean up the Parliamentary Buildings, has petitioned for relief, on the ground that while in the service she met with an injury to her knee, which has incapacitated her from other employment. Some noticeable items on the estimates arejas follow : —Consulting engineer, £BOO and clerk, £l5O ; increase to the Government Printer, £SO ; Paris Exhibition, £9OO ; New Zealand Exhibition (additional), £SOO ; New Zealand and Australasian Science Association, £SOO ; relief to Taranaki, settlers injured by bush fires, £550 ; increase in the amount for payment of jurors £3OO, increase to the officer in charge, Wellington, £2O; and to the chief clerk of the post office, £ls ; increases of £25 each to the chief postmasters ; increase in grants to Education Boards, £14,250 ; expenses of the Native Land Commission, £ISOO ; importation of stoats and weasels, £2700 ; sanitary improvements at Government House (Wellington), £IOOO. , The Crown Lands Report, which was laid on the table on Wednesday, shows that the perpetual lease is still the most popular tenure, the total number of selectors under the system having been 552 or 24 in excess of the previous year. The purchasers for cash come next with 702 transactions of which 337 are town, suburban, and village sections, leaving 365 purchasers of rural lands, and with an average to each of 141 acres. During the last 2J years, about 167)000 acres have been taken up, and the area proclaimed and open for selection on 313 t of March last (surveyed and unsurveyed) was 970,000 acres, while it is estimated that 360,000 acres more will come in for settlement before September. The working of the ■ system under which land is held on improvement conditions is reported on very favourably. During the year 273 pastoral runs, with an area of 3,734,296 acres, were taken up. The number of selectors in arrear is 3755, representing £52,891, which ia a larger amount than last year, though the number of settlers in arrear shows a decrease. The result of the Selectors’ Land Revaluation Act has been a loss of £24,911 by revalua-' tion in deferred payment selections, and of £1152 in perpetual lease selections. The total area of land disposed of since the foundation of the Colony is now 19,300,434 acres, and the total cash received £13,133,891. The total land reve- ue for IS9O was £120,434, of which Canterbury contributed £28,220, Wellington £26,246, Auckland £7399, Hawkes Bay ±SO49, Taranaki £11,276, Nelson £11,347, Marlborough £1497, Westland £845, Otago £12,680, and Southland £12,941. The territorial revenue was £202,457, of which Otago contributed £73,507 and Canterbury £69,405, Seventy-three nominated or assisted immigrants arrived in the Colony during the year ended 30th of April last, and paid £645 toward their passage money. Among the items on the unauthorised expenditure account is £346 19a 9d, refund to Judge Rawson (New Plymouth) cost of a commission of inquiry, and £212 salary, and £64 travelling allowances to Mr R. Trimble, Native Land Court Judge, since 12th of November last. Mr Seymour has been elected Chairman of the A to L Petitions Committee. The Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Bill introduced in the Legislative Council by the Hon Sir F. Whitaker is simply an Act for the prevention and punishment of bribery and corruption on the part of, aud by, members, officers, or servants of Corporations, Councils, Boards, Commissions, or other public bodies. The punishment proposed is imprisonment not exceeding two years, with or without hard labour, or fine not exceeding £SOO, with various liabilities and disabilities attached thereto. The other Bills introduced in the Legislative Council this session are : —The Trustees Bill (Hon Sir F. Whitaker), an Act amending the law relating to the duties, powers, and liabilities of trustees in the direction of affording greater safeguards to trustees from charges of breach of trust, actions for improper investments, etc. The Oaths Bill (Sir F. Whitaker), legislates that a person making on affirmation in lieu of the usual oath shall be equally liable to prosecution for wilful and corrupt perjury, etc. The Arbitration Bill (Sir F. Whitaker) is a legal enactment for the purpose of making decisions ‘of arbitration by consent out of Court irrevocable, giving the Courts power to appoint arbitrators, and defining the powers of arbitration, and the necessary machinery in connection with carrying out arbitration. The Children’s Protection Bill (Hon. Sir F. | Whitaker) is an Act for the prevention of

cruelty to, and better protection of children ; also to restrict the employment of children, and to give the Court power to dispose of children coming before it under the Act. The measure i 3 rather an important oue. The Mercantile Agents Bill (Sir F. Whitaker) defines the powers of mercantile agents with respect to the disposition of goods, etc.

The annual report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies contains the usual large mass of valuable statistics. One statement of the Registrar will excite some surprise. He says that statistics show a large excess of sickness among Rechabits up to the age of 45 as compared with non-abstaining societies, such as Oddfellows and Foresters, but that after that age the relative positions aro reversed. He attributes the excess of sickness among the younger Rechabites to insufficient care that members are healthy when admitted to total abstaining societies.

General admiration was expressed in the lobbies on Wednesday for the Financial State, ment »3 a most masterly State document, but many of those who so cordially admired its ability were by no means disposed to agree with ail its assertions or proposals. On these points there is a wide difference of opinion.

It is understood that the Ministerial caucus, which was to have been held to-day to consider the future arrangements and policy of the party, will not take place until Friday next.

The annual report on lunatic asylums was presented on Wednesday. The gist of Dr Macgregor’s report is that there is g:eat necessity for increased accommodation. “ All our existing asylums are full ” he says. The Wellington Asylum is ths subject of a favourable report, and Dr Hassell’s administration is highly commended, as is the supervison of the Deputy-Inspector, Mr McKay. The total number of insane in the Colony is 1761, which is an increase of 80 for the year.