Political Gossip.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 6047, 12 September 1894, Page 1

Political Gossip.

(by telegraph.) (from our own correspondent. ) Wellington, September 11. The Destitute Persons Bill was this afternoon read a third time and passed 1 through the House. ' Four new Government measures were ' read a first time to day, viz : The Land " and Income Assessment Acts Amenclj? ment Bill, New Zealand Consols Bill, Native Land Purchase Act Amendment; Bill, and the Roads and Bridges Sotfclo- ® .ment Bill. ' Mr Wilson, General Manager of tho B Midland Railway Company, acting undor r discretionary power left with him by directors, has intimated that ho will not insist upon the condition that tho J Government should give debentures to * one-half the value of the Motueka exton--3 sion, but will accept the new contract oil s the lines of the Committee's recommendation. The Premier has, therefore, givon 1 notice of the Midland Railway Contract 1 Amendment Bill, which he will introduce to-morrow. The Shop and Shop Assistants Bill was ' before the Labor Bills Committee of tho > Council to-day, and Mr Rigg moved to * strike out the clause which emoowcrs " local bodies to fix a day upon which half 1 holidays must be held, so that Saturday 3 might be made a universal day. 5 The Lunatics Estates Act Amendment Bill No. 2 is to provide for the prompt and economical management of tho estates of lunatics. It also empowers tho Public Trustee to supervise tho administration of lunatics' estates by private , committees, and the consent of the Public j Trustee is made necessary for tho appoint- , ment of any private committee, the object 5 being to prevent the estates of lunatics j from falling into improper hands. a The Hon. Mr Cadman's health has been very precarious during the past two p weeks, and he has; for some days past, j been confined to bed and allowed to see no one. He suffers from an affection of the throat and chest, complicated by an ' r attack of influenza. } To-day's Order Paper contains tho titles of no fewer than 77 Bills which are now before the House at various stages. Of these 54 are Government measures, 19 private members' Bills, and 4 local Bills. Mr G. J. Smith is asking the Ministry , to give the House an opportunity of cons sidering the petition from Sydonham ; praying for relief in connection with the i celebrated clause 21 of tho Alcoholic ■ Liquors Sale Control Act. l In the Council to-day the WaimakaririAshley Supuly Board Loan Bill and Nowi market Hall Bill passed their final stages. : The Oaths Act Amendment Bill was again > under consideration in committee of tho i Council. A new clauso regarding the ; declaration to be made by children was ) amended in order to make its application s permissive, and also to make it apply to 5 children under 12 years instead of 14 , years as originally intended. ; The Colonial Treasurei moved the i second reading of tho Rating on Crown Lands Bill, and explained its provisions. After some discussion the second reading was agreed to by 27 votes to 23. The House adjourned at 12.40.