MONDAY, AUGUST 3. A MAORI DICTIONARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2578, 12 August 1903, Page 29

MONDAY, AUGUST 3. A MAORI DICTIONARY.

The Rev. H. Williams, of Gisborne, waited on Sir Joseph Ward (Colonial Secretary) and the Hon. J. Carroll (Native Minister), and asked for financial assistance to bring out a new Maori dictionary. The Ministers promised to bring the matter under the favourable notice of the Cabinet. Mr 9. Percy Smith and the- New Zealand

Institute will be associated with the Rev. Mr Williams in the work.

SETTLEMENT OF NATIVE LANDS.

A bill to amend the Maori Land Administration Act is to be brought down during the session by the Native Minister. _ The ■maendm&nts -proposed are mostly machinery, one important point being the granting of power to the Maori Land Councils to goararateo tho roading of the blocks before they are opened for settlement. It is also proposed to confer on the councils certain powers -now held by the Land Court, it having been found that" references to the Laud Court have occasioned delay in opening the land.

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

It is expected that the Financial Statejnent will be- brought down on Friday night, and thai the. debate will commence on the following Tuesday.

RESERVING NATIVE BUSH.

"Will the Minister of Lands make reserves of native bush at short intervals along the North Island Main Trunk line, and on other railway lince passing through forest country? " To this question (by Mr Eli) the Minister said the bush on the Main Trunk line was all Native-owned, except the Waimarino, and that for two fears instructions had been issued to make suitable reserves in tho Waimarino.

DUNEDIN TRAMWAYS! WATER--POWER BILL.

The Mayor of Dune-din, who is now here, will call upon th* Minister of Mines in regard to the Water-power Bill. Speaking at the deputation to Mr Hall-Jones to-day, he said he thought- there was a mieconcepticn in regard to the matter.

"AT HOME."

The "At hems" i?iven to-night by the premier amd Airs Seddon in the Sydney Street Hall was a great success. More ■than 1000 invitations were i9suc-d, and ths interior of the hall presented an unusually attractive spectacle ; especially by reason of the profuse decorations, which included very handsome palms, lycopodium, and fine arum lilies sent from Auckland. The guests were received by Mr and Mars Seddon and Miss JSeddpM. Amcagst those present were the Ministers of the Crown, members of Parliarcent, and representatives of all the professions. Lady Constance Kaiox, Major Alexander, and the Hon. H. C. Butler were present from. Governme-nt House. An excellent musical programme, organised by Mr J. W. Hill, eomprUed song 3by Mrs B. M. Wilson, Messrs J. W. Hill. F. V. Waters, 'A. S. Ballance, and R. Robertson. A violin solo was tastefully played by Miss Elsie He-nnah, and a violin solo by Master Victor Harris, whose app£arance> was regarded •with considerable interest. Master Harria, ytho is only a child, shows remarkable promise, his technical skill being exceedingly •well, developed for his years. The pianoforte accompaniments were played by Mr J.-" Baraett. Dancing followed, Mmifie 3 B*nd supplying the music.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4,

J[n tho Legialaitive Council on Tueeday the ■Weights and Measures Bill, in -which pvo•vißion is made for introducing the metric eystem, was reed a second time.

In the. House of Representatives on Tuesa>y the State Fire Insurance Bill was introduced- .Replies to questions took up the whole of the afternoon sitting, while a debate on the Counties Act Amendment Bill occupied the whole of the evening sitting. The bill was eventually passed.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

In reply to questions, the Right Hon. Mr SEDDON stated that it was the intention of the Government to. proceed with the Referendum Bill this session; that he was in favour of both parents having tho right to vote for the election of school committees, but he was not sure that anything could be done in the matter this session; that a Royal Commission should be sot up to consider the position of native sclwol reserve^ that legislation could be introduced this session to suppress the coupon eystem of trading, which had become nothing more or l«ss than a gamble ; that tho feeling of members irould be ascertained as to \rhether it was generally desired that on tnnendment of the Libel Act should be brought in v this session to give to tho press of this colony the same immunity from prosecution as is enjoyed by the press of England; that there was no intention this session of introducing legislation to substitute annual licensing polls for the existing triennial poll ; that the Government could not see its way 'to reduce New Zealand postcards from one penny to a halfpenny.

THE COUNTIES BILL

On the motion for the thiid reading of the Counties Act Amendment Bill a long debate took place.

Mr HERRIES opposed tlu bill. Mr LANG said the Preirie-r, who asked the House to trust tho reople, was not prepared to trust them up to 3d in the pound. If he was logical li » should bo prepared to let the local bodict rato up to any figure. Mt TAYLOR considered that it would be a sound principle to refuse those country districts any further assistance from the general Treasury until the^' had rated themselves to their maximum.

Mr ELL thought subsidies should be done away with. He specially condemned the subsidising of rich local bodies. Messrs T. Mackenzie, Bedford, Lewis, J. D. Thomson, and Barber aho spoke. Mr LAURENSON said that as scon as the Eession closed he and those who thought i\ith~him on the subject would conduct a campaign throughout the length and br?adth of the colony, and lay the who'e land question in all its aspects before the- people. Mr MASSEY said when the Land Bill came down there would be au opportunity tc deal fully with the land question. He hoped that then there would be a distinct division— the freeholders in one lobby and Jeasobolcle-rs m the- other.

Mr RUTHERFORD thought grants and eiibs.idie3 ishould be done away with, and the Government should take ov£r the main roads and bridges. Mr FOWLDS condemned the capitalistic press of the colony for having persistently refused- to make known the truth about the land question. He said there were nearer 150 than 50 people present at the me&ting be addre-ssed at Nanie-r the pievioux; eveni^e. Sir W. R. RUSSELL, referring tc the bill, said that a man who paid only a shilling in rates had an equal say in the raising of a loan with a man who paid a

' largo sum in rates. They were, 'thus departing from the original principle that tlie-re should be no taxation without representation, and apparently laying down the principle that fchere should be no representation where ifcher© was taxation. Messrs Vile. Kirkbride, Symes, Witty, and Reid also spoke. In replying at 0.30 a.m., Mr SEDDON deprecated raising the cry of town versus country, and he warned the town members that the result would not be what they expected. If town members persisted in th© course they had taken up it would be for the leader of the- House to adopt a cour-e> also. Town and country were inseparable fiom each other's welfare, and they should work together for the common good. Any departure from that policy mtist re-sult in disaster to both sections. Ho quoted figures to show the groat progress of the colony. The private wealth of the colony had increased from £110,000,000 ia 1882 to £2*0,000,000 in 1902, and probably no country under the Gun held the same position as we did in this respect. In the face of these figures showing the general progress of the colony, he again asked members to cease the town v. country agitation before it was too late, and before disaster resuLt-ed to both sections of the community. Referring to the bill, he said the objection to the increased rating powers if gave came from the large landed proprietors, and he challenged the Opposition to produce s. protect against the tall from a single ratepayer or local body. — (Mr Massey: '"I accept the challenge.") In conclusion, he. said the bill had nothing -to do with finance, for on the 31st March they had nearly one and a-half million cash in 'fh.p- Public Works Fund. H© I had over £1,200,000 of the- new loan not touched yet.

The third reading was agreed to by 35 to 17, and the bill passed.

LOCAL OPTION.

In the House this afternoon Sir Taylor asked the Promifr whether, in view of the rapidly-growing public opinion antagonist to the liquor traffic, 4iia Government w'll tiiis session consider the advisability of substituting annual licensing poli-a for the existing triennial polls. Mr Sedckm said' the question was not v£Ty clear. Hs presumed it referred "to the election of licensing c:mmittees. — (Mr Taylor: "N0.n0.") Mr Seddon said that if the matter referred to was the local option poll, the three-year period •was fixed co as to -get a large vote at the general elections, the two pol-a being taicmi ""on the same -day end at the same tinv>. It had a:ow been suggested thai the Parliament should be extended to cover a per oi of five years, and that ihey might still take the local option tioll at the same tvme. — (Mr Taylor: "Oh," no you don't.") He (Mr Seddon) believed a. majority of the members of Parliament would favour that proposal. Hie own opinion was thas we had too many elections in the colony, and that the money sp&at on many of them would Lo better spec*-* on roads and bridges. It was i.-ot the iii'tentkin of tli3 Government to introduce a bill 1-his &eesion in the direction indicated by Mr Taylor.

LAND TRANSFER ACT.

The Teturn of business transacted under the Land Transfer Act shows that at March 31 last the amount remaining secured by mortgage was £4-2.906,761, compared with £40,557,163 eA the beginning of the year. The a-mount secured during the year was £7,185,636, and the amount paid off £4,E06,033.

THE NEWTOWN HOTELS

The Newtown hotels are continuing to sell liquor, and so far the police do not, appear to be taking any steps in_-the direction of a prosecution. The Prohibition party is becoming somewhat incensed in consequence, and there is now talk of a monster deputation, a thousand strong, to wait on the Premier in connection with the matter.

A CANTERBURY SUBSIDY.

The Premier promised a deputation of Canterbury members this morning that .he would give a subsidy of £3000 towards the purchase of a, site a.i:d the erection of buildings for the Christahuroh Technical School, provided that the Education Board sold an unsuitable site in its possession and devoted the funds to the acquisition of a new sits. The members who called on the Prem/er showed clearly that technical education was "booming" in Chrisfchurch. Having got their promise of a school grant, some of the members endeavoured to get a subsidy from the Premier of £600 for a bridge that had already been built and paid for, but which had cost £1300 more than tho estimate The Premier innocently inquired if tho bridge had already been paid for. "Yes," replied the leader of the deputation. " That's a good job,'* added Mr Seddon. The deputation returned to the charge with a statement that the county had paid the money, but the Road Boards had not y-et paid their f-liare. The boards, they 6aid, were very Imd-up. "So is t-he Government," promptly responded Mr Seddon. And the " Canterbury pilgrims " — some of them crestfallen and some of them laughing heartily— -walked out of the Premier's den minus their bridge subsidy. GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE.

Mr Duthie hae given notice to «?k the Minister in charge of the Government Life Insurance Department whether it is his intention to now make gcocl to tlio policyholders of that association the loss inflicted upon them in May, 1398, by having placed to their credit 5 per cent, debentures at par for the sum of £625,900 then clue, £131,600 of -which .had carried 4 jier t-t-nt. and £494,300 4£ per cent interest, and. if so, will the Government replace these 3 per cents, with debe-nturcs carrying such a late of interest a= to bo eal-oabl? at par. and also pay to the life insurance account the arrears of interest which, if paid 0^ the rate of 4 per cent , would since the date mentioned to May of this year, amount to £31,295. MEMBERS AS LETTER WRITERS.

Mr Laurenson to-day put in a- strong plea for secretarial assistance To members 111 dealing with their parliamentary correspondence. There- were some m«mber« who had to spe-nd a considerable rum 111 typewriting, aisd others who could only cans with the>ir correspondence by working at it all day on Sundays. Mr Seddon suggested that the matter should be referred to the Repoiting Debates Committee.—(Members: '"'No. no.") No doubt lady typewriters could do the work.— (A Member: "Why not men typists? ") He (Mr Seddon) thought it would be as well done by lady typists. There was, however, another serious " drawback to the proposal. Even under the present state of affairs he got unite enough letters from me-mb?r<;. If he afforded them extra facilities it would simply mean thcowiug more work iipon himself. He would, however, ascertain what was the

fee-ling of the House in the matter. If the» system were adopted some regulations would be necessary in regard to the time the type writers could give to each member.

SURRENDER OF LEASES

A return showing the number of surrender of Crown leases and the total area of Crown lands converted into freehold by such •surrenders during the past five years was laid ou the table to-day. The num-be-r of leases surrendered was 631, of which 125 were in Auckland. 94 in Taranaki, 80 in Wellington, 67 in Canterbury, 177 in Otago, and 107 in Southland. The total area converted into freehold by surrenders of leases was 11,319 acres, of which 815 acres are in Auckland, 514 in Taranaki, none in Wellington, 5*70 in Camterbury. 2524 in Otago, and 2348 in Southland.

THE LIBEL LAW.

Parliament is evidently not in any mood to amend the libel law this session, and the action of a few newspapers in unduly criticising some members has somewhat alienated sympathy from the newspaper press. In the House this afternoon Mr Baume asked the Government whether it is its intention to bring m a measure at an early date giving to the press of this colony the same immunity from prosecution as is eujoyed by the press of England, and, if not, why not? While Mr -Baiime was speaking Mr Seddon was heard to remark "to a mes3?ngor <r secretary, " Bring mo that copy of Sydney TmtJi," and after some little 'hunting the journal was found reposing in the dcek of the Hon. Mr Mills, who was not a* that moment in -the House. Having armed himself with the paper referred to, Mr Seddon said the questiou was one of great moment. If he re-framed from taking action it was bocau3e there were papers and pa pecs in this country as in other countries. — ('" Hear, hoar," from Messrs Taylor and Laureneon.) He (Mr Seddon) lcn&w that there was no change in the opinion of members of the House in respect to this matter. The majority considered that the press had quite enough freedom and liberty already. — (An Hon. Member : "'Too much.") Under the circumstances idiere would be no use bringing down a bill this' session, as it would bo simply a waste of limsv to deal with it. Mr Seddon then went on to quote from Sydney Truth a paragraph about the Pelorus Guard<an, -which, it said, was owned by "several slobbering, sour-smelling, paete-pot-sprcadmg printers." — (Laitghter.) He quoted another paragraph regarding a Timaru nape-r -written in somewhat -similar language, and added -that he woidd not quote any more for fear the Speak&r might pull him up. He was, howevc-r, happy to say tbal in this colony w© had not much of that kind of journalism. At the same time there were some newspapers in the rolony in connection with which, even with the present freedom, a public man was scarcely safe. — (" Hear, hear," from Mr O'Meara.) MAINTENANCE OF IFIRE BRIGADES.

The Fire Prevention Bill is giving anything but catisfection to members representing cities and boroughs, and the action of the Government in limiting their contributions to the amount of taxes on Government property is being much commented on. Several members interested in the matter have assured me there will bo a stron? fight on the bill, and that it is. not at all likely to pass in its present form. The section which promises to veat the equipment of existing brigades in the proposed fire prevention boards without in any way compensating the present owners ha* also be&n the subject of a good deal of adverse comment in Wellington, which, like Aiickland, has recently expended large sums in providing up-to-date equipment. The Pest to-night, referring to the subject, asks would this equipment include, say, the Central and South Wellington Fire Stations in this city, which represent over £10,000 of the city corporation's asse-ts, and have loans outstanding against them? Arc Wellington and Auckland, which have incurred considerable coat in providing for their brigade*, to bs deprived of the assets and left with the liabilities?

PETITIONS,

To-day the following were among southern pe-tihons presented : — The- petition of Christina Ferguson for compensation for the loss of her husband — a member of the Polios Force (Mr M'NaW ; the petition of A. Matheson and six other 3 for the construction of a railway from Gor© to Waikaka (Mr M'Nab) ; the potition of Edward Moar and 19 others, Hie same as the foregoing (Mr W. Fraser) ; the petition of H. Ambridge and 14 others, that the Bank of New Zealand be mad© a State bank (Mr Arnold)

JOTTINGS.

Mr Buchanan has given notice to ask the Colonial Treasurer whether ho will take the necessary ptepg this session to relieve tiic dairy factories of the colony from the unfair taxation lniposed upon. them. The Premier, ill answer to a question by Mr E. G. Allen, said he did not intend to increase the oapitatiou to cadet corps. If it became too large there would probably be a reaction.

Mr Lewi3 asked the Government whether the paper headed " Extract from Daily Telegraph (London), Thursday, the 28th May, 1903," placed in members' pigeon holes today has 'been issued under its authority, and, if so, wiiy it has been published without an imprint. Mr Seddon replied that the paper referred to regarding the London Invesrons' Review was printed at the Government Printing Office and circulated to membors pmately, not publicly. The journal referred to had" mad© references affecting New Zealand finance, and he thought there would be no haim in letting hon. members know what might occur respecting such journals. Ho saw no necessity for not placing tlip Government imprint upon the paper cii=tnbut^d to member.-.

Mr Taylor a a k<Kl the Premier whether the Government will tins session "attempt to deal with the suppre-sion of the coupon system of trading. He said tins syptem was rapidly on the increase, .and tfier© were all tln> -elements of gambling in it. Compla.int3 had come in from all the more worthy traders throughout the colony objecting to the system- Tho Premier agreed tliat the system was becoming nothing more nor less than a gamble, and he had given instructions for the drafting of the necessary bill to stop it.

The Premier, in answer to Mr T. Mackenzie, to-day explained tliat the Imperial grant of £5 to returned troopers was only paid to those who applied for it. The New Zealand Government was only the agent of the Imperial Government in the matter, and the instructions -were to give the grant only to those who applied for it. Mr Arnold asked the Postmaster-general why the post and telegraph office for Mornmgtcn, provided for on last year's Esti-

mates, had not been erected, and if he would make immediate arrangements for the establishment of euch ao office? Sir Joseph Ward's reply was almost inaudible- in the pres3 gallery, but he was understood to say that provision would be made fcr the work on the Estimates this session.

Mr Sid'ey asked the- Minister of Railways what progress is being made with the work of widaniug ike railway bridge at Parkside, Gaversl'arn, and within what time does he expect to have the work completed. Sir Joseph Ward said he recognised that the work was on urgent one. Drawings were qow being prepared in connection with the work.

Mr Witty to-day asked if tho Government ■will have a proper Tourist Guide Book of the South Island ri'intcd for the benefit of the travelling public. As a matter of fact the Government has several South Island guide books oti eale. Sir Joseph Ward, however, mentioned that a guido book for the v.-hole of the colony was now in preparation, and would bo issued shortly.

Mr Arnold wants to know the approximate date of the completion of the Otago Central railway.

Mr Arnold ha? given notice io ask ib-a Minister of Railwnys whether it is intend-c-d to have p new steamer to run on Lake Wricatipu this sca=on co as to overtake the kierecscdi traffic, and, if so, when is it intended to ca l ! for te-nck-re in the colony for the building of tuoh .ste-amer, or is it still fcli& intention of tho Governm&nt to import a boat for the purpose. Mr Flatman has given notico to a3k the Minister of Agriculture if 'h& will move in the direction of introducing legislation this section so ns to allow the claims of those settlers who have had large- losses of livo etoek through the recent severe sno%vstorms ■to bo 'heard and considered by the> land boards of the colony.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5

In the Legislative Council on Wednesday the Weights and Measures Bill was reported from committee with amendments, one of these being that the metric system is net to be brought into operation in this colony until it has been adopted by the Home Government.

THE METRIC SYSTEM.

In committee on the Weights and Measures Bill, the Hon. Mr JENKINSON ■moved to amend olause 20, giving power to •a justice or inspector to enter, ex? mine, and seize imperfect weights, by eliminating the word "justice." — A strong opinion was expressed by several members that it was improper to give justices tho power proposed. — On a division " justice " was struck out by 17 to 16, and the clause as amended was carried.

Clause 25, " Metric system may be proclaimed," was amended, on the motion of the- Hon. Mr KELLY, by the addition of a proviso that tho proclamation s-hall' not b& made until the Imperial Parliament Tins passed an ' act bringing the system into operation, the division being 17 to 16. — The clause was then carried. The bill was reported as amended.

In the House of Representative* on Wednesday two petitions regarding the Bruce ■local option poll were presented, and the Public Hca'th Act Amendment Bill was also introduced. Replies to questions again took up most of the afternoon sibling, the Premier occupying 20 minutes in replying to one question. In the evening Mr Ell's Abolition of Barmaids Bill had pride of place on tho Order Paper. Its author .desired to postpone its second reading in order to bring on the Elective Legislative Council Bill, but this was opposed, and the sitting was wasted in debating the Barmaids Abolition Bill in order to keep the other measure from being debated.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS,

In reply to questions, Sir J. G. WARD said he was prepared to set \\p a committee of experts to consider and establish the standaids of purity for foods or drinks offered for sale in the colony, and to determine what are regarded as adulterants therein ; that the Government had already approached the Cane Government with a view to a trial being given to Westport coal by the Cape Railway Department; that the Government was considering the advisability of relieving the Post Office Savings Bank depositors of the necessity of affixing their signatures to deposit books ; that there was no necessity to submit the Government Railways Superannuation Fund to an actuary. In reply to questions the Right Hon. Mr SEDDON said it was his candid opinion that this Parliament would -pass a preferential tariff in favour of Great Britain ; that the treatment meted -out to Captain Walker, late of the New Zealand Contingent, by the South African civil authorities was simply diabolical, and he was certainty entitled to redress. Inquiries were being made, and the House could be assured that the matter \>ould not be allowed to rest.

THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

In tl'O House to-day Mr J. Allc-n asked the Minister of Defence what the Government intend to do with the £503 in the hands of the Treasury sent by the Kipling Poem Fund, and similarly what they ir.t m d to do with the £600 remitted by Lloyd's Patriotic Fund. Mr Allen said it was not Tight that these funds lihould bo locked up m the Treasury v, hen there were dependents of injured trooper? in had need, and abo men and officers in need of assistance. Mr Seddon, in reply, siiid he had assisted any genume case brought under his notice out of unauthorised expenditure. He mentioned that he had just received a letter, dated June last, in which it was intimated that a further grant of £500 had been made from Lloyd't, Fund in aid of the Otago district fund. The trustees, however, were unable to devote any portion of the fund to a veterans' home. Regarding one of the funds, he had told the under-secretary to distribute it, and no one was more surprised than he to find it had not been distributed when he came back after bsence from the colony. It ought lo have been distributed. Mr Allen asked if both the fluids were still available. Mr Seddon did not give a direct reply, and Mr Alien said he was sorry the Premier would not answer his question.

THE BRUCE LICENSING POLL.

This afternoon Mr James Allen presented a petition from James Adam and 1779 othen asking that the Bruce licensing poll bo validated. The petition was read by the clerk and embalmed in Hansard. Following this Mr Millar Diesented a counter-petition

from Katherine Grant and 1260 others praying that licenses be conthraed"i:i the Brace electorate, cs decided by the rnagistrabe. This was also read by the clerk, and both petitions were referred to the A to L Petitions Committee.

THE DAIRY DEPARTMENT.

The appointment of a Danish dairy expert is giving great dissatisfaction ia the North Island, and questions are likely to be asked in the House as to whether he was appointed: on the advice- of the Secretary for Agriculture. It is alleged that the three Danish, experts previously employed ia the Dairying Department did not give satisfaction as instructors, and that on the retirement of Mr M'Ewan the Government practically acknowledged this by refusing to pay a Danish, expert the same ealary ac was paid to his predecessor, andi that in consequenoa h& resigned. Cm the other hand, it 13 pointed 1 out that the three Canadian -experts —^iesirs M'Ewan, Ruddiok, and Kinsella — have given every eatisfaation, and that the dairymen, throughout the country had overy confidence* in them, and that the quality of New Zealand butter improved greatly under their supervision. It is further contended th-at there ars at preseoat in the sen ice men fully competent from whom a selection might be rnacTe for the position of Dairy Commis-done-r. During the past few days it has even boen stared that in consequence of the latest appointment boots of the men nowr in the scivice wiU rerign, but of this, so far as I can acocrtain at present; there is "nocertainty.

MR SEDDON'S CABLEGRAMS.

Mr Duthio to-day a.'feed the • question of which he had givc-n notice regarding th* telegram in re preftrcutial trade discussion, which he had sent to the British Australasian from Otira on June 9 last. Mr Dufchi© maintained that the lelcgiam did not represent the feeling of the people of New Zealand as stated. Mr Seddon, '"in "a long reply lasting over 20 rainmee, explained thai he had sout the te'esrram to correct a previous telegram in which he had b en mirrepreeented by Renter's Agency. He maintained a-'so that he was warranted, v?:ing !•€> was Premier of the colony, in speakiug for the people of New Zealand. Tho party assailed waa tho Premier of New, Zeahrad, r.ad lbe> ealony injured was the eclony of New Zealand. A more scandalous misrepresentation of fact was never penned by a pressman. The first ho knew of the misrepresentation was from, a telegram he had received? from the. editor of tho London Daily Mail. He immediately took the necessary c-t&ps to put himself right upon tlw cablegram, referred to. His remarks l.ad ben questioned in tie British Parliament. If members of the British Parliament questioned what he said to his oonstihimte, surely ho waa justified in putting himsrif and tho colony light. Reuteis did not now do what they used to do. The-y had not now a. separate representative, but they had representatives with the New Zealand papers here. This telegram was ssnt out of the* New Zealand Times office. It was the same gentleman who pent out the Papawai speech to Australia. He did not laiow why he had done it. He (the Premier) had received n. lertcT from Mr Wilford setting that th& threat cupncccd to have bwm used by the Premi&r had evoked gre>a>t fc&ling unril it was contradicted. Mr WilTord Kad written a letter on the subject to a leading London journal, pointing cut that some mistake* must have been made, but the paper, one that would be only too delighted to get Mm (Mr Se-ddon) in a cleft stick, had refused to insert it. Iv TOaawl to tho telegram referred to by Mr Duthie, he admitted liaving sent it. Mr Duthie interjected that this -was the» most offensive of the telegrams. Mr Keddoit said he did not know iho hon. gc-iitleman was a judge of that. Sir William Rue-ell complained that the Premier had taken 20 minuter* to answer the question, which, he thought, was a breach of the- Standing Orders. The Speaker paid he had allowed considerable latitude because the matter was a personal one, and he thought it right to give the Premier the opportunity of makiufj a full and complete personal explanation.

TOWN v. COUNTRY.

The town ve-rßus country csy was again in evidence last night, and wa3 responsible for a debate lasting over five hours on a. bill which had been debated in all its phases at two wevious sittings. Tho question ra ; eed in" the bill was the rating power of county council", but the debate ranged over a wide field, including siug'.e tax, land nationalisation, the freehold find leasehold land tc-nures, and a good deal even moro distantly connected with tho land question. The Premier, in summing up tho debate, warned the House against this constant raising of town v. country feeling, and accused Mr La-ureireon and other southern town members of being responsible for it. Helamented tfio waste of thno, and stsUoci that if members were to continue conaiio mg business in that manrer they he d better order their ChrUtmas diwner3 in Wellington.

AMERICAN ENGINES. Mr J Allen asked the Minister of Railways this afremoou-m U ho has noticed in the London Times of Octobor 1902 the following telegram, sent through I^uter 3 iWucy: "Exhaustive trials of British and American locomotives have been carried out on the Government railways, the American, ciwrincs have given the better results. (2) Was this cablegram sent with iho knowledge, of the Minister, the general manager, or any of the chief officials of the Railway Department? (8) Does it represent the views of Ihe Minister, the general manager, or the chief Iccoinotiv© engineer? Sir Jo«cpli Ward said the telegram referred to was not sent with the knowledge of himself or tho departmental officers, and it did not represent the views of the general manager nor of the mechanical engineer.

STEAMER FOR WAKATIPU.

Mr Arnold asked the Minister of Railways whether it was intended to have anew steamer running on Lake Wakatipu this season, so as to overtake the increased traffic, and, if so, when is it intended to call for tenders in the colony for the building of such steamer, or is it still the intention of the Government to import a l>oat for the ■purpose? Mr Arnold "iirg«d tha-t such ■* steamer should, and -sould. be built in -the* colony. Sir Joseph Ward said the matter had been' reopivintr attention for a considerable time past.— (Mr Arnold: "Too long!") No; it had not been too long. This v/sa one of those matters in connection with which it was very -easy ie make a mistake. The Government 'had received specification!? and designs, but none were satisfactory. The marine architects were now preparing plans and specifications for i c uif«ble steamer, and when these were available tenders would be invited. He was desirous of getting the vorv be&t vessel that be i»ot for the money, and r.o one would be

more pleased than he if such a steamer could be satisfactorily built in the colony.

JOTTINGS.

Pefciilous in favour of a State bank, the removal of civic disabilities from civil ser.vanta, ths removal of civil and political disabilities Jrom women, for an investigation of Plrofesscr Biokerton's theory ol constructive impacb, and for a universal Saturday half-holiday were presented to-day. The Railways Committee has dealt with the petition of Jas. Gray, of Dunedin, who asked for a refund of £506, alleging that; this amount was overpaid by him on the ■Pernhill line lo the. Railway Department. The committeo has no recommendation to make.

Mr Herdman is endeavouring to get postal notes and money crderi issued at the> Rough Bidge Post OiEc?.

When Mr Handcook is in New Zealand 'h© will be asked to report as to the feasibility of supplying Timaru, Oamaru, and ■Wainiate with electrical power from the Waitaki River.