Political Notes and Comments.

Southland Times, Issue 13338, 15 October 1895, Page 2

Political Notes and Comments.

(By Telegraph.)

(from our own correspondent).

Wellington, Oct. 14. It is expected that the agreement between the Colonial Bank and the Bank of New Zealand will be laid on the table on Wednesday. The Speaker, who has been ill for a week, is again discharging his duties. The Minister of Lands is introducing a Public Reserves Exchange Bill for the purpose of giving effect to the wishes of local bodies that have agreed to exchange areas of land under their authority. Gossip about the vacant judgeship is reviving again. Sir Patrick Buckley is still spoken of as the man for the position, but it is said that part of the plan is that Mr Justice Denniston should come to Wellingtm. If that gentleman would consent to remove his residence to the capital Sir Patrick, it is alleged, would bo raised to the Bench and would then go to Christchurch to take up Judge Denniston’s circuit. It is also said that Mr Reeves hankers for the Ai torney-Generalship and that, instead of Mr Guinness taking that office and going to the Council, it is on the cards that Mr Reeves may do so in the event of Sir P. Buckley taking the judgeship. In that case, if Mr Guinness were called to the Cabinet, he would remain in the House. Ministers, however, require a colleague who will work hard and Mr Guinness is not generally regarded as a specially hard worker. Mr Pirani would fill the bill better in that respect and he is besides a North Islander and the North Island thinks itself entitled to additional representation in the Cabinet. It is doubtful, however, if Mr Pirani or any other of the younger lions with yearnings for a future, will care to join a government which is now assuredly going down the “other side” of its career. The term of office would be comparatively brief, but the association with the Government’s mistakes and misdeeds would be permanent and that would be a very heavy millstone indeed about the neck of an ambitious man. Later.

The latest news tonight concerning the agreement between the Banks (upsets much that has been confidently believed by many well informed people. I have just learned on very special authority that the agreement has not yet been completed and that in fact there has , arisen as between the contracting parties points of contention which may cause very serious delay. It is stated that the new business which the Government gave notice of to-night has for one of its objects the extension of the session, with a view to the banks arriving at a settlementjin time for the necessary legislation. Judging by present indications this would not be the case if the session were to terminate before the end of the month.