THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 14

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

VISIT TO MOUNT COOK. CHRISTCHURCH, January t. The. Hon. Dr Findlay (accompanied by Mrs Findlay) arrived from Wellington by tho Maori this morning and proceeded south by the second express. The Attorney-general is to reach Mount Cook tct-morrow evening, and will make a careful examination of cites for a new hermitage. "We hope to have the new building ready for next tourist jseason," the Minister stated to a reporter this morning, "and we purpose spending £8000 or £9000 upon it, so that are, should have a place worthy of the scenery and ona/that will, in some degree, cope with tfie. enormous tourist traffic. Thia season's returns will exceed anything we have vet known."" Dr Findiay was asked by what authority the New Zealand' Government, had sane* tioned Jhe opening of. a branch New Zea l land post 'office at King Edward VH Land, appointed a postmaster (Lieutenant Shftckleton), and issued special stamps, arid whether, an infringement^ of 'the rights of Great Britain was not^ involved by the action. "Ah!" said -the Attorneyrgenerol warily, "that is- a legal question upon whicjn I amT" not prepared to express an opinion just now. I have not 'considered the queatioi at all, but it is quite probable that the Prime Minister took the opinion of- tf^) -Solicitor-general upon the matter. I had no objection to bhe step being taken. The expedition was worthy of our best assists ance, and the opening of » post office down there was rather a compliment to Lieutenant Shackleton and 'his brave companions. I don't think the question of rights will ever be raised. If it is I should! be prepared to give my opinion' then." "As you know," the speaker pursued, "we have suspended the contract fqr additions to the Parliamentary Buildings &t Wellington in the meantime, with a view to making further arrangements with the contractors. The contract" is not determined, and may be varied. W« havejr«fc to find a temporary home fo*- nia Excellency, the Governor. Lord Plunket'e thoughtfulness in giving up Government House fotr— the next sitting of Parliament is miicb. appreciated, and will save the , country , a ' good .many thousands of pounds." "Th» Hon. Mr Hall- Jones,, whose health , is greatly improved, will r,et,u>n to -New Zealand/ in the. course of a few weeke, and will resume duty at once." "So far as it is humanly possible to' state with certainty, the North Island Trunk railway will be open for through communication by the end oPthe year. When that is done the Government will proceed to ascertain the amount of compensation to be paid for the "Manawatu Company's pri- , vate line." v "The oivil service superannuation scheme, came .into force on January I, ' and the ' board of control will be set up some time this month. A considerable majority of civil servants -have notified Vfchcir intention of coming in, and I believe eventually the whle service will exercis* that option. There is an idea abroad among many civil servants that if they do not- Come "in until June they will be liable for back payments as from January. This ' is erroneous. The act provides that deductions will be made, only from the time that they elect, to take advantage of the provisions of the scheme."