Political Gossip.

Southland Times, Issue 19087, 1 July 1903, Page 2

Political Gossip.

— > - - Illy Telegraph.) (From <>ur own correspondent > WF.LLLNCTON. June ,'io The opening ceromoiiy to-day attracted a large assembly of tne public, Indies at-gt-iKling in nuiii'ho-rs and in their most attractive costumes. 1 here was the cumtimiaiy glitter of uniiorms. gold lace, tinsel and pomp Tho delivery of tne speech occupied twenty niinuies. and many of the cumhrous ]>latituiles thi-rein tv ought smiles to members' faces A nifi.-ting of the Opposition will I") held on I hursduy juoruing. when, it is understood, they will elect a leader Mr I-'lntiiiiui will act us junior Covernment Whip. Mr () 'Meant being senior In the Legislative Council appreciate c re.-erences wero made to deceased members. Mr MeN'ah's presentation of a petition for the I'liii^nuiKNi of the railway limn Core to Waikuka, following up a- hundred similar petitions last mssioii, was received with a chorus of "Ah. ah !" Mr <ieo Fisher took his seat to-day, and if he continues in good form u> Seddon is promised a lively time I'etitions were presented praying that the to'alisator be not abolished llr Withelord is again going strong on his hobby of settling returned troopers on the land. Mr T. K. Taylor wants the rublic lte .venues Act. amended so as to restore the audit control of departmental accounts Sir \V Russell said Ministers had usurped tho functions oi l'nrliuuienl because they had had a blind, unswerving, unthinking majority — A voice : And no Opposition.) — Sir VI. Kus>:ell : 1 (l m i>ot surprised or sorry for that when you consider that t>ruins are grain ted to tho very few (Laughter) l here was an informal meeting of Independents this morning, but no organ-. ' isution will be fonnod. although, on certain subjects, the small party may bo , relied upon to vole In a body. | Petitions a-re before the House for legislation to suppress the use of trade coupons - j The Legislative Council sat in the I evening yesterday for four minutes and 'passed' an Imprest Supply Bill. I"l have a very .straight tip that ihw Chairman of Committees wilT bo eiihei Mr Millar (Dunedin) or Mr McNub. wi'h the probabilities in favour of Mr Millar The. natives of Bluff. Stewart Island Ruapuke, and Colac Hay complain ot Iho action of the Hluli Harbour Hoard in charging dues on provisions and stores landed by them on the Muff wharf 'i hey contend thut a landing place at Bluff. where the wharf now stands, was re «t-r-^-.-,l i r , !>,«.!,. V.>" t 1«! W-U-i-t,. h U .!*-.. 1 nf 'sale, and tjiat the right .still holds ; I therefore they protest ngninsl the action of the Hoard and pray for a restitution of their rights The slateinent Of funds held by tfio Commissioners of I'ublic Debts Sinking Funds on .'list March rfioivs lv total of tIHI.tJHI The report on the Cook and Northern islands for "the year ending 3 1st .March last states that the tratle prospncls of the group show distinct signs of improvement Tho pa tins had suddenly regained their old fertility and the export of copra should rapidly increase. Th« trade in this product shows a tendency to gravitate to San Francisco, where prices are fairly ren»Unern<tiive. The banana crop is proline ixml the output of coffee lias largely increased. Minor branches of trade were also reviving. Between 1 8H2 and lUO3 the increases ucr>: : revenue, from £825 to C«584 ; expenditure, £93:-? to £47'i(') ; imports. . Ll i».-.nv) lo £137.t)U3 ; exports. £20,33/ tv £3-I.M-'l The report, on the administration ot the police provident fund shows that during Inst year two inspectors. Mie j sergeant-major. three sergeants. and (seven constables- were retired and placed on the fund, the aggregate annual allowances now being L'.W'2\ Kx-Con-siable Walker, after 24 years' service, receives tin unnual allowance of L(s."> 1 Is. The Im lance at the credit of the fund is now £18,418, (l n increase of £38351 o- er last year. The abstract of liabilities outstanding, on 3 1st March shows a totial oi £7 < .)').91'8. of which £.">BC>,r>(>.-| belonged to the Public Works Fund. 'Pin- return of securities on account ot the Post Office Savings Hank Fund as at 3tst December showy its nominal v„lue to he £(i. \)')7. 387. The revenue account of the Government Accident Insurance Depurtme.it 'shows the receipts during lwou to h«we been £14,48»'\ all of which was from premiums except iiaSo, the amount from I the previous year and interest receivable. Many tobacconists aro petitioning I against hotels being permitted to sell cigars and cigarettes on the statutory .half holidays, when tobacconists are obliged to clow their shops.