POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8021, 5 November 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE,

(Feom Odr Special Couhespondent.)

Wellington, November 4. THE REASON WHY.

The Opposition have spread a rumour to the effect that the only reason why Ministers opposed the North Dunedin Cemetery Bill was to strengthen Mr Allen's support o£ the Government. They know that at present Mr Allen is only a lukewarm supporter, and by assisting him last night in his attempt to defeat the Cemetery Bill, they hoped to secure his allegiance. KENSINGrdtf bROSSINff". When the new time table is issued it wijl be seen that, the Kensington station is to be made a stopping placs for the Southern express! I have reason for believing that this concession ! has been granted through the' representations | made by Mr Fish. j . GRAIN RATES. i An important deputation, consisting of Messrs Valentine, Ward, Fish, Feldwick, O'Callaghan, Cowan, and Dr Fitchett, waited on the Minister of Public Works at 4 o'clock this afternoon for the purpose of pointing out certain anomalies which existed in connection with the carriage of grain on the Southern railways. It was pointed out that at the present time 14 bags of oats, weighing 22401b, represented a ton, while 10 bags of wheat, which weigh 24001b, were also reckoned as a ton by the railway authorities. It was suggested by the deputation that, in order to equalise matters, 15 bags of oats should be reckoned as a ton. Another important question brought under the Minister's notice was the excessive terminal charges made in connection with' the carriage of grain.' As an illustration of the unfairness of the present rates, it was stated that if a farmer sent grain to a merchant at Duuedin he was charged a certain price, and if the same mau consigned his grain to a merchant's sidiug he is charged the same rate; but if through inadvertence or a want of knowledge ho consigns bis grain merely to Duuedin, and afterwards discovers he was mistaken in not consigning it to tho merchant's siding where he desired it to go, he is compelled to pay an extra charge for his mistake. Mr Mitchelson in reply said that though he was alive to the fact that there were a number of anomalies like those mentioned existing in connection with the railways, he could not make any serious changes until his bill for tho establishment of a board was passed into law. In the meantime ho would give the particular matters complained of his immediate attention with a view to theirrectification. Mr Valentine hinted that the whole question of railway tariff required the serious considuratipn of the Minister, and in reply Mr Mitchelson admitted the force of Mr Valentine's remark. He would tell them aa important announcement. If his bill became law, as he believed it would, it was the tention of the Government to send to England or America for the purpose of securing the services of a first-class expert to reorganise and carry on the management of the colonial railways in connection with the non-political board. The deputation, in thanking the Minister, suggested for his further consideration the excessive chargos for sidings. Mr Mitchelson said this subject would also rcceivn h?« in""*- 1- ■ ■

OAMARU BAOES. (Fee United Pebss Association.) Oahaeu, November 4. The second day's racing of the Oamaru Jockey Club was held to-day. The weather was wet iv tho morning, and the attendance poor. The racing was good, and the results were: EEDCASTLE HUEDLES. Dunluce, lOst 51b ... ... 1 Trapper, list 411) ~. ... ... 2 Tenakoe also ran. Won after a good race. Dividend, £3 18s. COUNTIE3 ALL-AGED HANDICAP. Waitangi Maid ... ... ... i Windsor... ... ... 3 Kate ... ... ... ... 3 Dividend, £11 2s 'GEANpSTAND HAIJDiqAiJ. Brewer," Bit 41b'- "... • ... ■ .. j Jacic, Bstslb :;. ;.. , it A Marjory Moore, 6at.;. .;. ... 3 A good race, Won by a length. Dividend, £ 3 6s. ' NOVEL EACH. Idalia ~. ... ... 1 Paddy „. ... ... ,„ a Modesty... ... ... ... 3 Dividend, £2 Bs. LADIES' BEACELET. Percy ... ... ... 1 Kate ... ... ... '" 2 Maid of Erin ... ... g Dividend, £5 10s. SELLING SCUEEY. ™$ '■'<■ '■"■ ::: ::: I Harkaway ... ... __ 3 CONSOLATION HANDICAP. Belladonna ... .. , Briarleaf •" 2 Paddy .„ ... ,„ "_ 3 CHRISTCHURCH TRAINING NOTES. (Peb United Pbess Association.) Cubistchoecu, November 4. The work at Riccarton this morning was of very little interest, easy exercise being the rule. Regina was ient once round the plough at top1' Cruchfleld cantered the same distance. Nelson Moaua, and O'Brien's three went twice round the plough at half-pace, and Ruby put in a fast mile and a-half. Lorraine and Torrent were absentees. Artillery only walked, but showed very little lameness. St. Olair, St. Ives, and Mokoia took easy canters, looking well. The