POLITICAL POINTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3310, 17 December 1897, Page 3

POLITICAL POINTS.

The Premier, in reply to Mr Fiatman yesterday, said the House had already decided to givo the united Fire Brigades, .£250 a year, ana no more, aud he did not propose to alter that. The Brigades would get -8250, this year and .£250 next, when only a conference would be held, and that was sufficient for them. The Railways Committee has been closely engaged for a week past, hearing evidence re the petition of tho contractors .Murdoch and Allen McLean, for compensation foe disasters in the execution of the Makarau tunnel. Yesterday it sat three hours at the morning sitting, and authorised the Chairman (Mr Tanner) to apply to the House for permission to sit during the remainder of the day. This was obtained as soon as the House met iu the afternoon, and the committee eat on till 10.20 p.m, when it adjourned, the members returning to their seats in the House, to take part In the Idng liight sitting on the understanding that their labours wCre.-to be again ’resumed this morning at 10 o’clock. We understand that the .niotion id allow Sir Walter Buller and Major Kedp to ripsear at the Bar of the House would not Have aeon carried had it not been for the absence of Messrs Wi Fere, Morrison and G. Fisher, ■ • neither of whom were paired. The Premier has definitely decided to attend the Carterton M social ” on Saturday. . - From .8 o’clock last night till 3.45 this morning, when wo went to press, the House was engaged in dUcusaing the Technical Education Bill in committee, a determined blockade being kept up by; several’ members, against clauses- which ’they', beUoyed.i admitted the denominational principle. At, latest advices there were no signs of a compromise