Wellington News.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7340, 21 July 1892, Page 3

Wellington News.

[fkosi ouk own correspondent/) WELLINGTON, July'2o. MISCELLANEOUS. ATr Eees' Bill to /.liolie'a the tohilisator has been ruled out of order, on account ot the House having this session dealt with the subject by discussing a motion. The Minister for Public Works road to the HoU'.e this afternoon a telegram from, Auckland confirm ing the thorough success of Mr E. M. Smith's nvßteni oi treating* ironsand, and the hearty applause was acknowledged by Mr Smith rising and making a profound bow. Mr Keea brings in hio Anti-Totalisator Bill in a new shape, as amending tbe Gaminp and Lotteries Act. The Municipal Corporation Bill will bo introduced by the Premier. The cost of the improvements made to the ventilation of the Parliament buildings since last session is £786 7s Cd. Mr Meredith has brought his question relative to land scrip transactions within tbe forma of the House by giving notice to ask the Minister for Lande— (l) If an bon member of thiß Uou3e, as agent for another person, has exercieed foreat land scrip to a large amount in lieu of cash? (2) Vf ao the scrip so used an illegal tender ? (3) Upon whose authority did the lleceiver of Land Eevenue receive tbe Eaid scrip in payment for land? (4) What steps, if any, does the Government intend to take in the matter ? The Minister for Public Works informed Mr Taylor to-day that tenders would be called at once for the sanitary improvements to public buildings in Christchurcb, the estimated cost being about .£2OOO. ■ME STANDING ORDERS. Among the proposed amendments of tho Standing 1 Orders are the following, designed to stop obstruction and waßto of time: — That the previous question may. be moved at any stage of "a debate, and that no motion for adjournment of tbe House shall be put unlesß ten mercbeza rise at the same tine as the mover to support it. It is also prop osed that a twothirds majority may carry a motion to suspend the Standing Orders ; that no local Bill sball be read a second time unless its objects have been fully published in tbe districts affected ; that Bills received from the Council not finally dealt with by tbo House upon prorogation shall come up next session as suspended orders. HANMEB PLAINS. Mr Meredith, who some time ago inter » viewed tbe Railway Commissioners with reference to return tickets between Christchurch and the Culverden terminus, baa received a reply that these tickets will in future be available for two months, as hitherto. Thia will be a great advantage to visitors to the Hanmer Springs, and should cause an increase of traffic to the sanitorium. PETITIONS. The Petitions Committee will to-nicrrow recommsnd that Mr G. 0. Tibbp, fishmonger, Sydenham, be refunded £-1 of thefine imposed upon hica for Belling one undersized flounder. It will alno resoiQmend that Mra Meynell, Sydeuhaw, receive a compassionate allowance of £50 on account of an accident to her huab&ad while working on the Government railways. Mr Taylor had these petitions in charge, and pressed Sheni with his wellknown persistence. Mrs Mair, Christchurch, will bo recommended for .£SO compassionate allowance, THE PUBLIC DEHT. A return has been laid oa the table, op. the motion of Mr Saunders, showing the increase or decrease in the public debt of ' the Colony for the past fourteen yeaTS. This brings out the fact that the debt hnß been largely increased for thirteen years, and that the only decrease is in 1892. Tbo return gives particulars for each year since 1879, with the names of the Treasurers ia office, as follows :— IB7O, Ballance, increase £571,500; 1880, Grey -and Atkineoa, £4,815,400; 1881, Atkinson, £1,010,300? 1882, Atkinson, £110,400 5 1883, Atkinson, £6G8,300; 1884, Atkinson, £1,65-1,100 ; 1885,Atkinsonand Vogcl, £1,353,411; 1886, Yogel, £2,015,503; ISS7, Yogel, £97,531; 1888, Yogel and Atkinson, £1,010,78-1 ; 1889, Atkinson, £1,G1G,G13 ; 1890, Atkiueoa, £292,900; 1891, Atkinson and Ballanco, £162,400; 1892, Ballance, a decrease of £117,282. THE LIBEL BILIi. Mr Fisher will move an amendment to the Libel Bill, providing that tbe proprietor of a newspaper shall be compelled, under a penalty of £50, to give up ou demand the name or the writer of. any anonymous publication in his jo-rnul assailing the private character of any person ; also giving the aggrieved party the right to publish a refutation or answer to a statement affecting him, under a penalty of £50 if tbe proprietor of the newspaper refuses.

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