POLITICAL NOTES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6711, 29 June 1893, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

»■ [From Our Own Correspondent.] Wellington, last night. The Address-in- Reply debate occupied most of the afternoon in both Chambers. In the House the speakers were Mr McLean, and in the Council Messrs Bolt, Oliver, and Rigg. None of the speeches wore particularly interesting. Mr Reeves acts ns Minister of Justice and Mr C irro'l as Native Minister under the ijfTv Ministerial arrangements. Very kindly sentiments havo been expressed towards tho new Labor representatives by older members of tho Legislative Counoil. Mr Allen says the Labor Kureau is only useful for providing work for man of the right color, and thai co-operative works are only designed to help Ministers to retain their seats. The price which the Native owners are asking for the Horowhenua, a big block between Wellington nnd Palmersfcon North, i.s L 4 5s an acre. This the Minister of Lands considers high, but has consented to have a valuation made, b»cause the settlement of this block would mean a big thing for Wellington. j The Premier considers the present law sufficient to prevent glove fights. The report on the famous Ell case was laid on the table of the House to-day. Ifc recommends special legislation to suable Ell to deal with hia own bankruptcy matters, and tha* he be paid L2OO in full settlement of all demands. Petitions in favor of the abolition of tho totalizator, numerously signed, from Hawke's Bay, were presented this after noon by Mr W. C. Smith. Mr Beatty, ex gaoler at Giflborne, prays for compensation. To day Mr Carroll has given notice to introduce the Native Trusts and Claims Definition and Registration Bill, and Mr Seddon the Distress for Rent Abolition Bill and Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill. Mr G. Fisher made a fioroo onslaught on the Ministerial pretensions, lasting nearly two hours. He had some telling points, and his speech mot with a good reception, there being frequent cheers. Mr Taylor followed with his usual rambling harangue, and the debate then closed. The Electoral Bill is tho sirae as last year A deputation from the Wellington Law Society and Chamber of Commerce waited on tho Premier with a request for additional Supreme Court, buildings. Mr remarked that Wellington was not nearly so badly off as two other places he could mention — it GUborn©, where the •Judge had to sit on the sta;e of a theatre, md at New Plymouth, where the Court was held in the Town Hull, the noise in the street being considerable. Tho Native Trust and Claims Definition and Registration Bill, introduced by Mr Carroll, merely deals with the South Island reserves. The object is to define certain trusts and individualise interests of Natives inquired into, and reported on by Judge Mackay. I am assured on reliable authority that Mr Rees does not intend to pursue the Cadmin matter further in tho House, and will not move for a select committee to investigate the whole circumstances, as ho had threatened to do on Tuesday. Ho seems satisfied with having unearthed a public scandal and gained a ! moral victory, and thinks that to attempt further proceedings might be regarded as savoring of vindictiveness. That Mr Rees has no intention of resigning the Cli Airmanship of Committees is patent from tho fact that he gave formal notice yesterday of the appointment of certain sessional committees. Samuel Costall has been permanently appointed Government printer.