POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXI, Issue 6695, 22 September 1896, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[by telegraph] (from our own correspondent.) Wellington. September 21. The talk of the lobbies this afternoon, as may be surmised, consisted mainly of discussing tbe passage-at-arms between the Hon. John M'Kenzie and Mr Geo. Hutchison. Ic was generally considered that Mr Hutchison was chiefly to blame in the whole matter and his part in the proceedings meets with few apologists. Apparently vrhen the Committee finished its proceedings to-day the Minister for Lands had forgotten his challenge to Mr Hutchison, or at least did not expect that it would be so sharply taken up. The action of the Premier and Messrs Ward and Graham has been generally commended, though several ardent sports are feeling considerably disappointed that matters were not permitted to develop. There is no doubt that Mr Hutchison's intention was to provoke the Minister to assault him, an event which, had it occurred, would have served as a good argument against the House Banking Committee. The awful anger, of the aroused Minister so discomfited Mr Hutchison that he is said to have wished himself in any other locality than that in which he was. it is understood that Sir Barron, Crown Lands Commissioner for Westland, will take the Commissionership of Crown Lands in Canterbury, vice Mr Marchant, now Commissioner of Crown Lands for Wellington. The matter, however, will not be settled, I am informed, till after the session. It is expected that tbe House Banking Committee will conclude taking evidence by the end of the present week. The remaining witnesses to be examined are the Hons. G. M'Lean and W. D. Stewart, and Mr J. C. Hanna. The Public Accounts Committee is to meet on Saturday to finally decide on its report on the Midland Railway petition. Wellington, September 22. The report of the Agricultural and Stock Committee on the frozen meat and dairy industries is to be presented to both Houses to-diy. lam given to understand that the resume of the report already sent is in all important matters accurate. The Hon. J. D. Ormond, and Messrs Lawry and Buchanan have been appointed a subCommittee to wait on the Minister of Lands and urge upon hum the necessity of introducing legislation this session giving effect to the Committee's recommendation. The Committee recommends that the Agent-General should avail himself of the services of Mr Thomas Mackenzie, who goes Home in the interests of se\ eral Farmers' Associations, in dealing with subjects which may arise connected with the farming interests.