POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

Otago Daily Times, Volume 13696, Issue 13696, 12 September 1906, Page 5

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

THE COLONIAL BANK. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, September 11. William Barron,' William Burnett, and Colin Allan, of Duncdin, are petitioning Parliament for iiif|tiiry as to the causes of tho winding-up of I ho Colonial Dank, the actual financial position of Die bank just prior to the winding-up, tho immense losses and deficiencies which a who during the winding-up, and generally as to tho financial position of tho bank, its accounts, and tho_conduct of the winding-up. The same petitioners approached Parliament in 1903, 1904, and 1905, and on each occasion the committee to which the petition was referred recommended that tho prayer be given effect to. "MINISTER TOR DRAUGHTS." The sessional complaint as to the draughts in tho House _was brought up to-day by. Mr J. C. Thomson, who, in a husky voice, drew attention to the straits of himself and other members who wcro suffering from colds, and whoso muffled appearance clearly indicated that they wcro discharging their parliamentary duties with some discomfort. Tho member for Wallace appealed to tho Chair for relief against Iho violent inrush of cold aiv from a ventilator, but _ Mr Speaker promptly disclaimed responsibility. "Tho Minister of Public Works is in charge of draughts," he said, amidst general laughter.—Mr Hall-Jones said that a report on the question of improving the ventilation of the Chamber had been obtained from Professor Scott, but, owing to the lack of timo, this had not been considered, The cost of the pronnsed alteration, ho said, would bo about £1700. GOLD-STEALING. A deputation connected with mining in tho Inangahua district, which waited upon the Hon. Mr M'Gowari to-day, urged tho Minister to introduce legislation which ivould protect mine-owners against goldstealing on the part of' employees, The deputation stated that this offence was assuming considerable proportions, both on tho West Coast and in Otago. Speakers assorted that tho provisions in the ant of last session were not sufficiently drastic to stop tho evil. The Minister, in reply. said_ ho would see whether anything could be iionc to meet tho require- , menU of tho deputation. • I

SCHOOL CADETS AND THE EXHIBITION. Mr Barber lias given notice to ask the Minister of Education, by whose authority tho memorandum signed hy Liout.-eoL' Lovcday, dated 2nd July last", was issued, inviting the Public School Cadets to arrange for a week's camp training at Chrisichurch during' tho Exhibition, ami proposing fo convey tho Cadets and provide) damn allowance for the sum of 10s; also whether ho was aware that a large number of Cadets had made arrangements accordingly and have paid the sum asked, and that tho announcement now made bv tho Minister that the proposed visit is tii ho abandoned has caused considerable disappointment among Cadets throughout tho colonv. While in Cantorbttry on Saturday Mr" Duddo heard many regrets that the Government had given up the proposal to hold a Cadet camp at the Exhibition for all Cadets who cared to attend. Mr Budtlo wired the Minister of Education thai tho public

generally regretted tho departure from the original intention, to which the Hon. '11. Fowlcls replied that the general opinion seemed to he divided regarding the proposed Cadet encampment., and. us the estimated cost was over £6000, the Cabinet decided to abandon it. JOTTINGS. Messrs Flat man and Wood arc to bo the temporary. Chairmen of Committees. Sir Joseph Word will, move that they be appointed to act when requested to do so by the Chairman. It is understood,that the position was offered to Mr Wilford, who declined to accept it. Mr Barclay is to move iliac Ihe lime has arrived when it- is expedient in the interests of the colony that the State'should take under its control such existing industries as are concerned with the supply of the necessaries of lifo to the people. ' Mr Wilford wants a return showing the joial cost and oxpendituro incurred to dale in iho purchase, and upkeep of the Tutauekai, together with details of the same.

Mr J. Allen is to ask the Minister of Education whether he has road tho following extract from a newspaper:—"While an application for sick leave by ft female teacher was being considered at last Tuesday's meeting of tho Hnwko's llay Education Board, Inspector Hill remarked that during tho whole course of his experience ho had never known so many huly employees of tho hoard to break down absolutely in a similar period as durinjr the last 12 mouths. This he attributed to the ovevcxaoling demands of the Education Department's new syllabus." Will he submit tho matter [or inquiry to tho Education Committee? Tho following hills were given notice of to-day:—Mr J.' Allen, lirjico Hospital District. Bill; Mr Millar, Otago Presbyterian Church Hoard Property Consolidation Bill. John Luim, of Dunedin, is petitioning for compensation for alterations in tho eohtract for the Dunedin Post Offic*. Mr Sidcv will ask the Minister of Pvailways whother ho is aware that two fatal accidents have occurred within tho past few months at .Ncvil'e street crossing, off Wilkio road, Dunedin, and whether ho proposes taking any special precautions 'to warn Iho public of the trains passing at this crossing.

Mr J. Allen is to move tor a return showing—(l) The amount of money loaded on to the Greenfield Estate, purchased under the Laikl for Settlements Act; (2) flic amount of loading money expended up to date: and (3) the works upon which the loadin;.' money Ira? boon expended, specifying tho amount on each.

Speal:in;r on the Fire Brieodcs Bill. Mr Wilford Bi\id thot i\t a lctvilimr hotel tit which ho recently stayed in Chrislchurcli there was a fire-escnuo rope under the sill of his bedroom window, hut the ropo was not attached to anything. Above the vope was the notice, " Throw this ropo out of the window, and then descend."