THURSDAY, JULY 24

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 30

THURSDAY, JULY 24

In the House of Representatives (o-day the Acting- Premier announced that the holiday jn connection with the King's Coro« nation would be proclaimed for Saturday, August 9. The stage system of railway, charges, which has been so consistently advo--cated by Mr Vaile, was discussed, tho Minister of Railways repeating an offer mad© previously to give it a trial, provided aJ guarantee was given against a proportion) of any loss made. The Dunedin Town Belfl Road Closing and Regulation Bill and two other local bills passed the second reading? stage. In the evening a bill authorising Wellington Harbour Board to borrow money for a graving dock and other purposes passed its second readiug. as also did the Christchurch Tramways District Bill. The ActingPremier, speaking on the latter measure, indicated that he was strongly in favour of the State oun;ng the tramways in the largo centres of the colony. It is probable thafc if further legislation is required in connection with tramways in any of the chief centres clauses will be added giving the State power to step in and acquire the lines.

POLITICAL VETERAN'S

An interesting return has been compiled; showing the time members of the present Parliament have h»'ivc-d their country in the House of Representatives The Speaker, Sir Maurice O'Rrr'nrv who entered Parliament in June. IP6I.1 P 6l. has in 11 Parliament*, and ho.ul-< the list with a record of 43 fcesaioni. Those who have attended) " doub'e figums " in the number of sessions attended are as follow: — Sir Maurioo O'Rorke, 43: W J. Steward, 30: J. W. Thomson, 27: Sir W. Russell, 29; Righii Hon. Uicliard S&cMon, 2=?; Hon T. Duncan, 25 ; Stevens. 13 : Wi Pere, 14 ; Guinn.>Rs, 22: fc'ifeher. 19; Parata, 21; Monk, 10;; James Allen, 16; Carroll, 18; Lawry, 18;; Sir Joseph Ward, 13; Thomas Mackenzie, 14 ; Robert Thompson, 18 ; Hall-Jones, 15 ;, Carr-cross, ]4; Hogg, 14; Houston, 14; Meredith, 14; Tanner, 14; Mil's, 14 ; : M'Guire, 13: MGowan. 11; Fkitman, 10; Graham, 10: Lang. 10; Roderick M'Kenzie, 10; Masbey. 10: Millar, 10; Pimm, 10; W Fraspr, 10; Heko, 10.