MR PIRANI AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2499, 5 February 1902, Page 45

MR PIRANI AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

A DENUNCIATION OF THE GOVERNMENT. RECKLESS EXPENDITURE AND BRIBERY.

MR PIRANI RKTIRES FROM POLITICS.

PALMERSTON NORTH, Feb. 3.

Mr Pirani, member for Palmerston Ncvth, addressed a packed meeting in the Theatre Royal to-night, dealing with the work of the past two sessions. He strongly condemned the Ministerial extravagance, and estimated that at least £100,000 had been spent last year on service outside the proper services of State. He spoke in adverse terms of the continuous payments made to the Governor in the nature of aop.s, and regretted that Lord Ranfurly't term of office had been extended for another year. There were several hideous blunders in the Public School Teachers' Snlaries Act. He trusted the effort of ilio Government to -usurp the powers of education boaids would be firmly checked. He alleged thai the '(■iovernment administration was costing nearly two millions more now than in 1891. while the annual expenditure out of the .public works fund was moie than a million and a-half more. A largo amount of this money, he asserted, was used in bribing constituencies, while much was wasted. He condemned the Native land legislation and the increase of honorariums to £300. He maintained that there was not sufficient provision made in the Military Contingents Act for privates, though officers were fairly provided for.

Mr Pirani announced that, owing to family reasons, he did not intend to contest the seat at next election, and had decided X'pon this step in opposition to the advice of supporters and politicians he had spoken to on the subject. He read an extract from a letter from Captain Russell suggesting tba' be should withhold the announcement, and eulogising his work in Parliament, and stating that, whether on one side or the other, he (Mr Pirani) was a man who should bs in Parliament". Mr Pirani greatly deplored the course forced upon him, but which wa3 absolutely una\oidable, for reasons known only to intimate friends. A vote of thanks for his address, and al?o for the satisfactory manner in which he had carried out his parliamentary duties for .nine years, was carried.

Pitche.e's Commercial Hotel at Clyde uas destroyed by fire*on Sunday. The firco riginated in old woodpn stables at the rear of the hotel. Willing hands made strenuous efforts to prevent the flames »prerdinq to the magnificent new structure, but without avail. Bucket brigades there wcr? in plenty, but the fire, despite their effort, spread to the roof of the hotel, ancr soon enveloped the entire building. A large quantity of furniture wa= saved. The building was insured for £2000 in the New Zealand office. TJb« furniture wm uninsured.