Telegraphic News.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3472, 29 July 1899, Page 3

Telegraphic News.

[From Our Own Cokresi’ondent].

Wei.lkmtox, July 28,

There is very little chance of the Auctioneers Pill passing this session. This Pill was promoted in Timaru, and Mr HallJones is iu charge of it, but it is strongly objected to. Members have been flooded with protests against it from Christchurch and Invercargill and other places. A deputation waited on tho Premier and supplied him with written copies of the objections. The principal clause objected to was one giving the name of persons offering properties for sale or names of bidders. Auctioneers said they could not carry on business if this was the the law. Mr Seddon explained that the measure was to stop “trotting” at stock sales, so as to prevent bogus bids. The deputation admitted that bogus bide were made. Tho Premier said that was improper and that the Pill ought to become law. If an auctioneer bid beyond a legitimate bid he would dupe the bidder, as be would be bidding against himself. The measure w-as strongly advocates by one of the largest Anns iu Canterbury to protect the public. The Premier promised the deputation that nothing would be done to embarrass them. Mr Flatman informs me that he has given notice to strike out the proviso to Clause 3. This proviso gives an auctioneer! one bid, but if Mr Flatman’& motion is carried an auctioneer will have no bid at all.

About a week ago Mr Flatman asked whether there had been any reports as to analysis of manure, and since then has received some papers which are of no practical value. No one can say whether the manure is good or bad, and Mr Flatman is much dissatisfied.

The Borough of Temuka still hangs fire. It is all due to tho Minister not finding time to sign the documents. How long it will be until he does it no one knows.

A strong debate took place in the Council to-day on the question of making tho Council elective. Mr Twomey spoke strongly against it as proposed, and said it wu,s intended to play into the hands of the wealthy classes. If the colony was divided into a number of electorates equal to the number combined of members in the two Houses, and members of both Houses were elected together, and then the Upper House selected after election, he would support that, but he would not support election under the Hare system. The debate was adjourned. To-day was taken up in the Lower House with an Imprest Supply Bill. Land for Settlements will be taken to-night, and the Financial Statement will be delivered next Tuesday.