Wellington Items.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6649, 13 September 1889, Page 4

Wellington Items.

♦ OaOM OTTB SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. „ THE HARBOUR BOARD. The Eailway Commissioners positively refuse to concede the request of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, as recommended by the Public Accounts Committee. PRESENTATION TO THE aOVEBNMBNT WHIP. Mr M'Gregor, the Government Whip, was presented with a handsome gold watch fl&y the Premier this afternoon in recognition of hiß services to the Party. A GfiAVS QUESTION. The Premier, in the House, in answering a question, blamed Mr Maitland, Crown Lands Commissioner, Otago, for advertising his official position in an advertisement giving the Directors of a Goldmining Company. The Premier said it was a grave question whether high Government officers should take such positions at .all. He would enquire into the circumstances. SMALL SETTLEMENTS IN CANTERBURY. Major Steward, Waimate, elicited the information that 280,000 acres, which would be thrown open for small settlements in Canterbury next year would be offered on very liberal terms, and would be partially advertised at the beginning of the year, and fully later on. THE OPPOSITION. At the caucus of the Opposition held on Wednesday morning to discuss the position of the Party, arrangements v/ere agreed to for keeping the Party together during the recess, exposing the dilatory and obstructive tactics of the Government during the session, and replying to any charges or systematic misrepresentations which might "be made by the Ministerial Press or speakers throughout the country. It was resolved to address a series of meetings in case the Government endeavoured to spring a mine in the shape of a sudden dissolution in the autumn. Excellent heart and cordial feeling was manifested. Mr Ballance's amendment recommending a dissolution was also authorised. THE LIBEL BILL. The Government had another chance on Monday night of getting ahead with that unnaturally maltreated infant of theirs, the Libel BilL They had no business to go on with at half-past ten, and Major Steward very properly suggested that, instead of rising, they might give tho deserted Bill another turn. The Premier, however, said it was no use, the opposition would be too strong. Now, the opposition to the Bill is confined to two or three lawyers, who have crotchety amendments, and Mr Fish. Why, then, are the Government so resolute not to pass the Bill ? Are they afraid of Mr Fish, or is there some hidden reason which has turned their stomach against their own measure ?