THURSDAY. JULY 17.

Otago Witness, Issue 2523, 23 July 1902, Page 34

THURSDAY. JULY 17.

In the Hou=e of Representatives today, after a slight discussion on the question of who originated the proposal to provide cheap money for settlers and the first reading of a couple of private members' bills', the debate on the Financial Statement \. a» resumed. There was a. noticeable hesitancy on the part of speakers in ris'iig, no order apparently hay ng beon arranged, and this eventually led to the debate coming to an , unexpected conclusion. No one appearing desirous of resuming the debate after the supper adjournment. Sir J. G. Ward jumped to his feet, and had commenced hi 3 reply before member? with speeches prepared were able to realise what was going on. DIRECTOR OF VITICULTURE. ' Signor Bragato, the well-known wine expert, has jiast received a permanent appointment under the Government as director of viticulture The good work he has already done )In fostering vine culture, especially in the north, should make the appointment a popular one. The director leaves shortly on a three weeks' \isit to Melbourne to pick up instruments for his i laboratory and secure some new species of I vines. Upon his return to this colony he ] intends to dolivor a course of lectures on ; vine culture. His headquarters will be fixed j at Auckland. THE PATEAROA RUN. Mr T. Mackenzie has received a reply from the Minister of Lands in reference to the application of settlers regarding the resumption of the Patearoa runs. The Minister states that as these are pastoral runs uuder Qas3 I of pastoral runs I thoy cannot be resumed until the ex- , piratum of the lease on February 28, 190*. j He regrets, therefore, that the prayer of i the petition canuot be complied with at present. In 1903 the Laud Boird, he adds, i w;ll consider the matter cf again disposing of these runs, and make proposals and recommendations for further action when the I lease terminates. JOTTINGS. Mr A. L D Fraser is to ask the Government whether they will so amend the Rabbit Nuisance Act of last session as to leave it to the majority by vote in each rabbit district to decide whether the principal act or the act of 1901 shall operate in such district.