POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8556, 26 July 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(Feom Otjh Own Correspondent.) Wellington, July 25. THE SECRET VOTE. Many members seem to regard Mr Ballance's secret ballot papers on the question of retaining the present number of members as curiosities, and express their intention of preserving them. Sir G. Grey intends to send one to the Auckland Free Library as au historic document. To this end ho has been going about members searching for one having the best imprint of^the seal of the House. The ballot has degenerated into a mere farce, as not only are many members not votiug, but gossip has it that an extra supply of ballot papers have been obtained by a iniscuievuu!) member and 81 of them deposited in the ballot box.

PROTECTION OF GIRLS. I As a result of the deputation ott'the. subject, | the Premier has agreed to bring in a bill to raise ( the age of consent. It is believed that a proposal to raise it to H years would pass the House. , , DISFRANCHISING THE CAPITAL. The Post says:—" It ia Btated that some foolish member has actually drafted a clause for insertion in the Misrepresentation Bill depriving the Oity of Wellington of all representation in Parliament." , .. THE EXHIBITION BILL;

It is stated as a result of a canvass among members of the Upper House, that the provision for a local option poll will be struck otit in thst Chamber from the Dunedin Exhibition Street Closing and Licensing Bill.