POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 181, 6 August 1886, Page 18

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Wellington, August 2. It is stated to be in contemplation to offer all appointments to the police and permanent militia to volunteers under certain regulations, the police recruits to pass a probationary course in the permanent militia rifle branch, as also the candidates for the special branches of the permanent militia itself. It is further stated that regulations as to age, height, education, character, &c, will shortly be drawn up, and it is intended to distribute as far as may be possible equally the appointments in the several districts of the colony. I hear that the Property Assessment Bill introduced by the Premier is intended to make the Presbyterian Church property liable to the property tax. It is understood that the act of last year was intended to do this but failed to do so.

The purchase of the Starke property is still a rock ahead. Neither the Insurance Bill nor the Starke evidence is yet circulated, and it is shortly supposed that an attempt will be made to close up suddenly without these dangerous questions having been discussed by the House. The Opposition are on the watch to prevent this. A misgiving is gaining ground that all is not secure yet with regard to the Midland railway. The Premier has once or twice let fall some very suggestive anddisquieting expressions about the contract, appearing to have grave doubt as to the probability of its being ever carried out by the company. Members believe that the Government desire to have that £175,000 voted blank was due to a wish to have ifc available in case the Midland coiitract should meet with any fatal hitch. It is currently rumoured lhat several Ministers feerconsiderable doubt on the subject, and that something more may be heard on the subject even before Parliament separates. The feeling of doubt which has been created is unfortunate, for all parties deem it most undesirable that any hitch should impede the undertaking now, for it; was looked on as so satisfactory that the question should be removed from the political arena that everybody would deplore its comiug to the front again. Besides which, it would seriously derange the Government finance ; and last, but not least, all would regret the disappointment which would fall upon the districts interested if the work so eagerly desired should be indefinitely delayed.

I hear that Te Whiti, who was released on bail on Saturday, has taken up his quarters for the present with Mateue Tanawharo, of Petone, about seven miles from Wellington. It is understood the prophet and his followers will remain in the neighbourhood of Wellington until their trial takes place. It is said that the line of defence to be taken by Mr Rees will include a revival of the whole question of the Native titles, in which case the trial is expected to last some weeks, as the needful evidence must necessarily be most voluminous. There arerenewed whispers of Cabinet dissensions. A sharp quarrel is said to have taken place at a meeting on Saturday, resulting in the Premier's abrupt departure. The Premier is confined to his room to-day with an attack of gout.

Wellington, August 3.

The customs returns for four months exhibit a deficiency of £45,244, and the beer duty for the same period a deficiency of £2745. These are awkward items for the Treasurer to deal with, especially considering the heavy deficiency on working railways. Miuistcralibts of course deny the truth of the rumours that a, sharp discussion had occurred in the Cabinet, but there seems strong circumstantial evidence that there was a sharp dispute. Some attribute the Premier's illness to the worry and annoyance of last week. The greater part of to-day's and to-night's sitting has been occupied with the North Island Loan Bill, and a strenuous effort was made to strike out the clause authorising the diversion of £100,000 for the purchase of Native lands, but that was defeated, and the clause retained by a majority of four. Aiiolher vigorous attempt was made to cutout the last clause, which provides for reserving the land for the endowment of the trunk railway, but that clause was retained by eight votes. The bill was ultimately passed without any material alteration.

The Local Bodies' Finance and Powers Bill was circulated to-night. I L provides that for the year ending 31st March 18S7 there shall be paid to local bodies half the amount which they would receive under the act of lasb year, and of this 75 per cent, may be advanced before the close of the financial year. Any doubts are to be resolved by the Governor-in-Council. Half the payments are to come out of the public works fund and half out of the consolidated fund.

Wellington, August 4,

I am glad to be able to report that the Premier is somewhat better to-night, although still very unwell and unable to leave his room or see people. A rumour was circulated somewhat persistently this morning that Sir R. Stout was about to resign on the score of ill-health directly after the session, but I am assured on the highest authority there is no truth in the report. One can understand that such a story would be very apt to gain credence when the Premier's illness came so suddenly after that dispute which notoriously took place between Sir J. Vogel and himself over the Loan Bill schedule.

The Government now indicate Wednesday next as the date of the probable close oi the session. If so, it means dropping a large proportion of the measures still on the Order Paper. More than 40 bills have yet to be dealt with, and the vexed question of the Insurance and Stark Purchase Committee's reports have not yet been overcome. A discussion on these can hardly be averted, unless by some very peculiar special arrangement. I hear the Vaile Committee will not report for several days, possibly Friday, as some new issues have been raised which involves further evidence and consideration. It is doubtfnl whether any conclusive report will be agreed upon, but it appears almost certain that if there be a definite report it will not be favourable to Mr Vaile's proposals, although he seems very sanguine on this head. Some seem desirous that the plan should be tried experimentally first on one section of railway, such as the Auckor Wellington line for a year or so. The Government Insurance Bill was quite unexpectedly read a second time without discussion, but on a subsequent motion for committal, Mr Montgomery commenced an elaborate speech on the bill. There is a very thin House. Members seem disinclined for a long debate, otherwise there would be some strong speeches on this question. Mr Pyke is to ask the Minister of Lands what has been done to give effect to the homestead clauses of the Land Act in the provincial district of Otago,