MONDAY, JUNE 29.

Otago Witness, Issue 2209, 2 July 1896, Page 24

MONDAY, JUNE 29.

The Premier's Rating Act Amendment Bill is confined to Native lands. It provides that when the Native owners of rateable land are more than four in nnmber the local authority may require the owners to nominate one of their number to represent them for rating purposes. The demand for rates shall be made on him, and arrears miiy be recovered by suit against him, such judgment shall operate against all the Native owners and also against the land. A SHOCKING EXAMPLE. One of tbe leading topics of convert ation in the lobbies to-day was the determination of the Government to makeashooliugex&mpleof MrG. W. Russell, tbe leader of the Radical conspiracy, in the hope that tbe awful puDJehuient meted out to- him will deter any Ministerial waveras from again daring to assert his independence, Ministers have solemnly, io caucus assembled, excommunicated Mr Russell. He is not to be invited to any mo.*e Government caucuses, nor is he to be considered a member of tbe party. The Ministerial journal iv faob invites him to take a seat in the Opposition rank?, and become an open antagonist. Tne secret conference of the would-be founders of the new party might have been forgiven, but when it came out thai; Mr Russell had formally approached the Opposition with the view of forming an alliance to defeat the Government on their motion as to the Banking Committee it was felt that such oonduct oould not be overlooked. I understand that Mr Pirani narrowly escaped a similar fate to that which has overtaken Mr G. W. Russell. IJiu Ministerial organ this morning pretends that the indignation of the so-called L-tt Wing" knew no bounds when they ascertained that Mr Russell had been iv communication with tbe Opposition, but this is simply nonsense. They must have known — as a matter of faot they did know— thut thoir amendment to the Premier's motion could not possibly be carried without the co-operaticn of the members of the Opposition, and all that Mr Rutsell did was to seek that co-operation and ascertain their votiug strength. It was not a general alliance that was suggested, but simply concerted action in this: one matter; Bnfc Mr Russell seems to have, committed the unpardonable crime of pricking a, card with tbe Oep<'sition: By making **booki»g .example of Mr Russell the Premier professes to believe that the plostas b.eeu completely : , ont. - But * all the .elements of disaffection , remain, and .only await th> man and the^pcoasioa to bring them into cohesion and organised life. JOTTINGS. Mr Pinkerton has a bill in hand to enable the City of Dunedin to borrow £50,000 at not more thau 4 per, cent. A bill has beea' introduced by Mr G. W. Russell providiag that the Board of Governors of Canterbury College shall consist of 18 members, four of whom shall be elected by the graduates, six by the town school committees, and eight by the country school committees. The present life members are no: to be interfered with. Mr T. Mackerzia has > definitely decided to accept (he offer of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association to represent them in London. ■ The three liquidators of the Colonial Bank are at present in Wellington. Reports are again cuneut that the Hon. Mr Cadman is desirous of retiring from the C*biuefc. It is rumoured that his present relations with the Premier ate comswhat strained. The correspondent of tbe Oamaru Mail telegraphs :: — •• The Attorney-generalship will not be settled at present. It is, however, certain that neither Mr M'Nab nor Mr CkTnnrss will get it. I would not wonder if it were given to Mr Dowuie Stewart when the banking troubles I are fairly over. Mr Stewart wonld be most i usefal in' the Council as aesittant to Mr ! Walker.