POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9138, 10 June 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(Fbom Ode Own Oobbespondent.) Wellington, June 9. MR WIGLEY'S BEAT.

I bear now that Mr Wigley on further consideration is disposed to abandon tho idea of claiming his seat in the Legislative Council,being advised that the case against him is too clear to be challenged; and even if the Council refused to uuseat him, the Attorney-general would appeal to the Privy Counc I, &ud certainly could do so. THE POLITICAL SITUATION. Opiuion differs widely as to the prospects of the political situation. All seem to agree that a long and arduous session is nearly certain, and its duration is generally expected to extend to Ootober or thereabouts. As to tho Ministerial chances there is a wide diversity of view. Sjrne of the Opposition side declare ruuudly that the Government cannot possibly last another month, so that it is hardly worth whilo ev t n considering their proposals. Others, even on the same side, give a wholly different forecast, and regard Ministers as perfectly safe for this session, bar unforseen contingencies. I was talking to-day with one member, a very staunch Ministerialist, and bis observations rither surprised me, " I suppose we may regard Ministers as quite safe for this session," I remarked to bim. "Are they?" He replied,"That is not my opinion. I shall give them my support, of oourse, unless they bring forward something I cannot possibly acoept. But at any rate I shall vote for them and all thoir measures that I have yet heard of, but there are others whom they will have to reckon with and I am by no means certain how they will go. There are the makings of a very formidable middle party in the malcontents of the Ministerial camp. Sir G. Grey and Messrs Rees and Shera are not likely to hold themselves pledged to this Ministry. Then there are the two Hutchisons, Mr Fisher, and, perhaps, Mr Fish, who may feel dissatisfied with the Government and disposed to hold themselves as "Independents." If these seven all were to transfer their votes to the other side in some emergency, what becomes of the Ministerial majority of 13. It would ba a minority of one instead. Then, again, Ministers have done many injudicious things during their four months of office. Instead of ' lying low' and trying to keep things smooth and pleasant till their first session had been got over, they have stirred up bad feeling in all directions; and by perpetually tearing about all over the country, instead of staying in their offices and acquainting themselves with the business, they have given a handle to their opponents, if only on the score of excessive travelling expenses, No," he continued, " I shall still support them myself, for I regard it as all important to prevent che old ' continuous' lot getting back again into pawer; but I do wish they had been a little more cautious and discreet, and I am afraid they will have a rough time of it." This is evidently a "candid friend." Certainly he expresses the idea of many outside the House. Nevertheless, I incline to regard the Government as'safe for this session, if nothing very fresh and startling occurs. But their measures and administration will nndergo a stringent, and perhaps not very friendly, overhaul, with dubious results. The dissolution threat is already being freely employed, but as yet I cannot think there is mnch likelihood of any serious crisis. It is early in the day to prophesy, and the situation may have totally changed by this time next week. But at present my anticipations point to a protracted, and perhaps acrimonious session, but not to any " life or death " crisis. MEMBERS ARRIVING. Several more members arrived in town tonight, including Messrs Swanson and Dignan, 51.L C.'s, and Messrs Lawry, Hamlin, Houston, R. Thompson, and T. Thompson, M.H.R.'s. THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES. The New Zealand Times to-day contends that Mr Saunders is the best man for the Chairmanship of Committees, and urges the Government to ran him for that post. Rumour still s»ys, however, that Mr Hamlin will be the man. THE COUNCIL. The Attorney-general told me again to-day that he has been unable to obtain any mover of the Address-in-Reply in the Legislative Council, and that he would probably move it himself, leaving it to any Legislative Councillor who chose to second it, or to let it alone. The question is now being asked, "Where are all the nominees of the Grey and Stout-Vogel Governments, and why do they hang back ? " Both those Ministries created numerous additional councillors, and the Ballance Ministry is supposed to be on the same side in politics; so surprise is felt at any difficulty being experienced in finding a mover or seconder. Dr Grace is mentioned as likely to fill one or the other of these positions. PROMOTERS' LIABILITY. The proposed legislation against bogus companies and fraudulent prospectuses is to be revised this session, casting responsibility on promoters and experts for the statements in a prospectus on the authority ofjsuch promoters and experts, who will be liable to action on the part of anybody who may have been injured through misrepresentation in the prospectuses. THE PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. The Royal Commission on the Public Trust Offica will be allowed another fortnight to bring in their report. I informed you yesterday that Mr Hamerton, the public trustee, had received three months sick leave. It is now stated that he will retire at the end of that term, and that tho Government (with the concurrence of the Royal Commission) will ask Parliament to vote him a retiring allowance. TRACTION ENGINES. The Railway Commissioners have often been threatened with the competition of traction road engines, which are much used in Canterbury and Otago, but they disregarded this, bein aware that these engines if much used must damage tho roads so greatly as to involve a heavy rate being levied#on them. This was disputed, it being contended that so far from damaging the roads the pressure of the traction tended to consolidate and so to improve the thoroughfares. However, the commissioners have just received information of a discussion ou the subject which recently took place at a meeting of the Institute ot Civil Engineers, when Mr H. Maclaren (brother of Mr Maclaren, whose engines are working in Canterbury and Otago) described the operations in regard to wool carrying in New Zealand with these engines. Some speakers spoke in the strongest terms of the damage done to roads by traction engines, and of the excessive additional cost of maintenance involved in their use being permitted. Mr J. Maclaren virtually admitted this, and that owners or users of traction engines ought to pay a substantial fee for permission to run the eugine, owing to the injury they caused to tha roadp. These expressions of experts concerned iv the manufacture and working of traction engines mustba of great interest to local bodies, upon whom rests the burden of maintaining the roads. SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS. The new bill providing for school committee elections will not restore the old cumulative vote, but.will provide for votes being given at the meetings of householders only, and it is proposed (but not decided) to provide that although only residents shall sit on school committees, fathers or guardians of children attending a school, whether residents or not im a district, may vote. UNEMPLOYED. It is stated that 341 unemployed are at present being provided with good work: 83 in Wellington, 74 in Canterbury, and 184 in Otago. ACTING PUBLIC TRUSTEE. I hear to-night that Mr James K. Warburton, of the Post Office department, has been appointed acting public trustee, pending the arrangements of the trust office. He is wellknown as an able and experienced officer, especially in regard to all matters of accounts.

(Peb United Press Association.)

Wellington, June 9.

Ths county authorities of the Weat Coast (South Island) and the goldfields of Ofcago find themselves in straits for revenue since the gold duty wss abolished, A deputation waits on Ministers to-morrow to lay the position before them, and to ask that some means should be provided to enable them to carry on the necessary works. Tha Minister of Public Works has effected some alterations and amalgamations ia the Defence department at Auckland which will save about £300 per annum. He has given orders for the completion of the most urgent worts on the forts, which will occupy three or four months.