SATURDAY, JULY 29.

Otago Witness, Issue 2370, 3 August 1899, Page 27

SATURDAY, JULY 29.

There is some probability of Mr Scobi* Mackenzie's bill regarding the closing of a road for a North Dunedin recreation ground being reinstated on the Order Paper. Th« Premier has stated that he would do this. Mr Millar's attitude on the matter is being criticised, as it is understood he was present at the Local Bills Committee and allowed the bill to be emasculated without protest. FIRES CAUSED BY ENGINE SPARKS. The long-standing dispute between tha Railway department and settlers residing in the vicinity of railway lines over fires said to have been caused from engines is at present being considered by the Railway Committee. It is very probable that the committee will recommend an alteration of the law by giving settlers an opportunity of having their claims for damages alleged to have been caused by sparks from engines set.tled by a court of law* THE PREMIER AND THE AUDITOR- , GENERAL. The Premier's public condemnation of th« Auditor-general came in for Borne very severe criticism in the House on Friday, Mr Piranj

desiring to know why the Premier refused to give the House the correspondence with the Audit department regarding the illegal granting to the Dunedin and Wellington Technical Schools. Mr Pirani spoke strongly, but the most severe condemnation came from Mr Scobie Mackenzie, who said the Premier had set himself systematically to intimidate the Auditor-general in the meanest way by drawing the attention of the people to him on the public platform. The thing was bad enough, but the manner in which it was done took ,on all the worst colours that evil could lend it when they recognised the meanness of , it; and the cause of it all was that the 'Auditor-general was in the habit of looking after the hon. gentleman's own expenses. THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE. The Premier on Friday stated that Mr Martin, the Public Trustee, went Home on private business. As he would be away six ] months, Mr Martin thought he ought to reBign his position, but the Government were quite satisfied to give him leave. He was to get three months' full pay, and three months !half-pay. The question came up as to what ,-was to be done in his absence, and Mr Duncan was made temporary trustee. Mr Hamilton, of Christchurch, was, however, many j years his senior, and as he was an equally re- j liable and competent officer, an assurance was , given that this would not prejudice his posi- j Jtion. It therefore decided that Mr Duncan should act for three months and Mr(Hamilton for the remaining three months. Mr : 'Hamilton would shortly come up from ChristShurch to take charge in Wellington. REDUCING; FREIGHTS. The Premier still takes credit for reducing freights to the old country, though members yrho ought to know rather laugh at his pretensions. The matter cropped up again on Friday during the discussion on the Imprest Supply Bill, and the Premier made an atifcack on the Shaw, Savill Company and the fNew Zealand Shipping Company. These, he 'said, were huge monopolies, and they would 'erant no concessions till the Government ""tforoed their hands. Our freights were, he said, still 25 per cent, more than shippers were .paying in the other colonies. On February 1 the Government got offers from the shipping companies and charterers of rates at 32s Bd for oats, 35b for wheat, with 10 per cent, primage. The rates the Government gob wero 50s, 32s 6d, and 5 per cent, primage. This )was an indication to the shipowners that the Government were moving in the matter. On toiaroh 20 the Government announced their jfcerms, and, strange to say, these companies then advertised lower rates. JOTTINGS. The Rev. W. Bannerman, on behalf of the jDommittee on Public Questions, appoiuted by the Presbyterian Synod of Otago, is petitioning Parliament against legalising marriage with a deceased husband's brother, the fcaid marriage having been expressly forbidden Jjy tho divine lawgiver. The amount of deposits under the JSew Zealand' Consols Act at 31st March last was £385,925.