THE LORMER INQUIRY BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10597, 18 February 1896, Page 6

THE LORMER INQUIRY BOARD.

Melboubne, February 16

After sitting throughout. the week, the tonrter Inquiry Board have adjourned till the end of March, professional engagements preventing Mr Justice Williams and Professor Kernott from continuing the investigation. - Evidence of a most scandalous character bas been given. A Chinese witness swore that their gambling league had voted £20 to two of their number, and authorised them to *cc Mr Rappiport. The police evidence was that they saw magistrates driving about with Chinese. Both Mr Rappiporo and Mr t Baxter denied the charges, and explained, that they had business relations with the Chinese. As to the charge against Mr Bird of communicating with the defendant in a case in which lie had adjudicated, he (Mr Bird) explained that hs had refrained from sitting when he found that he knew the defendant. One witness stated that he had preferred a charge o£ stealing against one Kerning, a woman of the town, who said he need not think he could win it, as Fleming had tiie justices on her side. Fleming was told that Bird was her " fancy man," and could pull her through any-. thing. THE FEDERATION BILL. The House disagreed over the Council's amendments in the Federation Bill, with a few exceptions. When the bill waa returned to the Upper House the latter struck out their own amendment imposing £50 deposits on candidates for the" convention, on the ground that it would raise a constitutional question. The Assembly sent up a message suggesting that it would carry out the Council's intention in this respect by a supplemented bill, of which Mr Turner-subsequently gave notice. The Council, however, marked its resentment of the aotion of the Assembly by withholding consideration of . the question for 2A hours. FACTORIES BILL. The Council decided to amend the Factories Bill in'the direction ol having a board of each, affected trade for the whole colony to fix the hours and rate 3of pay, ,3uch board to be elected by the employers and employees. RAILWAY BILL. I Buffeted about and battered out of all. nemblancß of its' original conception, the Railway Bill got back to ths Assembly, which promptly declined to agree to tbe Council's alterations. There is a strong opinion that the bill will be altered in the first instance by the Assembly to the restriction of the selection o£> manager, and bringing about the reinstatement of Mr Speight. It appears as if there was a revulsion o£ feeling in that gentleman's favour setting in. There is no secret made in certain quarters that Mr Speight is the one man who can reorganise the service satisfactorily. Withthe condition that the bill is cow in, it is hardly likely that it will bo persevered with this session, but will probably drop into oblivion for the time being. The Opposition made a dead set against the proposed vote for improvements at the Flinders street st»tion, but the Government took, a firm stand, and carried their poiiit by a substantial majority.