POLITICAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9321, 16 June 1891, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

A deputation of gentlemen interested in the Nelson and adjoining districts waited upon the Minister for Public Works yesterday morning. Their object was to put forward the necessity for the oonstrnction of a new road from Nelson to Stowe by a different route from the existing railway tine, which Is somewhat billy. They proposed to allow the Railway Department 16ft of the road, which was to be 66ft wide, oa condition that the Government subsidised pound for pound £4OOO voted by the Nelson and other Interested borough councils. Another sum of £IOOO, privately subscribed, would bring tba total up to £9OOO, which it is expected will be sufficient. The road would, it was stated, save the Government £I2OO a year in haulage. The Minister promised to plaoa the amount on the Estimates and bring the matter before the Cabinet.

The following deputation from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce waited upon the Minister oil Justice yesterday morning in reference to tbo Bankruptcy Bill : Messrs J. Duncan (president), T. W. Gale (vioo president), J. Dutbie, M.H.R., J, B. Haroourt, E. W. Mills, and S. Carroll (secretary). In discussing the bankruptcy laws, it was suggested that clause 79 of the Bill, which deals with fraudulent preferences, should be altered in the direction of assisting honest traders; that a hew provision, for tbo detention of absconding debtors, be inserted ; and that the business boars at the Official Assignee’s office be the same as those of the Registrars of Supreme Courts. The Minister promised careful consideration of tbo matters submitted, and said be hoped the second reading of tu, Bill would be agreed to without debate. He then proposed to havo it referred t« a Select Committee, of which Mr Dnthie wotfv] bs a member. The Hon Z G. Ward, the Postmister. General, proposes to initiate a system for improving the projects of message boys in the Telegraph Department. This 1s the scheme in brief : —At present message boys may on the expiry of their term of service in that capacity go into tiainiag in Wellington for cadetships, hut this coarse is open only to the few. Mr Ward proposes to found schools of telegraphy ail over the Colony, which message boys may attend while pursuing their vocation ; and at the end of their teem they may, if they have made a satisfactory advance; be promoted forthwith to cadetships. Persons not in the torvioo mast qualify for oadetehips by the ordinary course ef training. Captain Russell, Mosses G. H. Swan, W. Kelly, M.H.B.’s, arrived from Napier by the Manawatu train last night. Sir George Grey is exeoted to arrive either to day or to-morrow.

Mr VV. Kelly, M.H.R, for the East Coast electoral district, was baoquetted at Gia borne by his cionstitaents on Wednesday last. There were some 200 present. It is expected that the Labour Conference will commence on Thursday next, the nan* arrival of many of the delegates having necessarily deferred the opening of the proceedings. Owing to bis notimely death, the late Mr Maokay'a separate report on the Native land laws was' not quite completed, bat it will be presented to Parliament in its incomplete form, as it contains the gist of his views on the subject, i A meeting of the New Plymouth Harbour Committee was to have been held yesterday, but owing to an oversight of the House in omitting to decide upon the number requisite for a quorum, no business could be transacted.

The Labour members held a meeting yesterday afternoon, at the invitation of Mr JKces, for the purpose of considering his proposal that the Government -take the initiative to arrange a omferenoe of English speaking countries at the Chicago Exhibition for the purpose of considering the relations between capital, labour, and the State.

The Minister for Defence has completed his scheme foie the reorganisation of tho Volunteer forces, and it has been informally submitted to . the Cabinet. Before its definite submission to tho Cabinet, however, the Hon R. J. Seddon is awaiting an expression of opiaiian from the officers in all the principal centres in regard to his proposals.