POLITICAL ITEMS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 15163, 6 October 1913, Page 7

POLITICAL ITEMS.

EX-CONSTABLE SMYTH.

(Feoii Ovb. Special Cobbespondent.)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 5

The petition of ex-Constable Smyth, who was discharged from the Poiice Force recently lor dereliction of duty at Greymouth, has been reported upon by the M to Z Petitions Committee of the House. The petitioner asked for reinstatement and compensation, but the committee reported that it has no recommendation to make. The result of the consideration of the petition is the more intresting by reason of the fact that it was alleged by Opposition members of Parliament and ethers that Smyth's dismissal was an actof victimisation because of his activity in the formation of th£ Police Association at Auckland prior to his transfer to Greymouth. TRAMWAY CONFERENCE. ! A conference convened by the Hon. W. Fraser (Minister for Public Works) to submit suggestions in regard to projected tramway legislation, is to assemble at Wellington on October 23. Delegates will attend representing tramway owners, authorities controlling tramways, aud unions of tramway employees. The Government will be represented by Mr R. W. Holmes (Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department) and by Mi W. S Short (Awrfstanfc-Tjnder-Secretary for Public Works).THE WA3POUA FOREST. THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS It is prnbsthfcrTfo't legislation dealinjr with ih» WaiTrma forest, in the north of Auckland, will be introduced by the durinjr the Tyrese-nt session. The proposals to be embodied in th* Bill will. if. is understood, be nracticallv on ■fbn o* the of the Forestrv C-oTnnr'ssion. The area to be rrFf-rvcA w'll probably be about two thousand acres. - 'FRISCO MATT, OONTRACT. QUESTION OF RENEWAL. Though it has not yet been definitely announced whether the San Francisco mail contract will be renewed with, the "Union Steam Ship Company or not, it is generally understood that the, agreement, which expires on October 31, will be continued in some form. .Sir James Mills, managing director of the Union Company states that the company is announcing steamers ,td leave Wellington for San Francisco as far ahead as 2nd January, 1914. The WiHochra is onlv making one trans-Paofiio trip, and on her return will 1 be placed in the intercolonial trade for; the summer months. Aorangi. will' talie her place in the Wellington J3an •Francisco service. The company has*recently called for tenders for the building of two large, passenger steamers. bufT-so-far no tenders have f>.cc&f*to3j;. The mail contract which exnire=» at- tho end of this mojith 'provides for the,payment of a subsidy of =S"I 666 .per; annum fer a tern x*£ *,hre9