POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), 25 July 1893, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

[from our special correspondent.! WELLINGTON, July 24". | the opposition. I A vague rumour is about to tho effect j that the Opposition is at last bent on executing some sort of coup. It is alleged j that Mr Eolleston's reason for delaying to j speak in the Financial debate is not his unreadiness, nor even pique at having hin claim jumped by Mr Fish in leading off the debate. Eumour has it that he intends ; to move a vote of no-confidence in the Government in the shape of an amendment declaring that no financial policy can be acceptable to the country that does not, I in view of the surplus, propose a remission of dutieß on the necessaries of life. . This report is almost too good to be true, and the Opposition has been so lethargic that it is moßt unlikely that it will be galvanised into such vigorous action as this. I record the rumour for what it is worth, but it is probably no more reliable tban the canard which declares that Mr Beeves and Sir E. Stout are already intriguing for the formation of a new Cabinet. NATIVE legislation. The Premier has resolved to take Mr Cadman's place on the Native Affairß Committee, and in view of the important nature of the Native legislation proposals this session, it has been also resolved to add Sir Eobert Stout and Captain Bussell to the same Committee. To-day the Premier was busy for several hours with the law officers and judges of the Native Lands Court, going through the Native Bills proposed to be dealt with this session. Judges M'Kay and Barton have been summoned to Wellington to confer with the Government on the subject of theae measures. Ministers appear fully determined to get through the necessary Native land legislation thiß session, but owing to Mr Cadman's resignation work in connection with these proposals is now in rather a backward condition. MINEB. The annual report of the Mines Department is in a forward state of preparation, and is expected to be laid before the House at the end of this week. I understand that the document will tell a very flattering tale of the development of the Colony's mineral resources. The total value of the output of minerals last year will be shown to be abont £25,000 in excess of the previous year's record. This is to a large extent made up by the growth of coalmining. Last year a total of nearly 700,000 tons of coal waa put out of the Colonial mines, being an increase of 4000 tons on the previous year's output. It is gratifying to note that the output of bituminous coal showß a steady increase year by year. There is also a large increase in the value of the gold returned for last year, but this is not so much owing, I fanoy, to the growth of operations as to stocks of gold being withheld from laßt year's returns in order to escape the gold duty, which was repealed last session. JOTTINGS AND INCIDENTS. Dr Grace, M.L.C., writes as follows to the Press :— " Sir W. Jervois was strongly of opinion that it would be wise for Sir H. Atkinson to offer Mr Beeves a seat in the late Ministry. Sir Harry, after his first interview with the Governor called on me to ask my help to disabuse Sir W. Jervoiß' mind of this idea." The Editor adds the following footnote: — " Dr Grace's letter doeß not make things a bit clearer. On the contrary, it introduces a fresh element of confusion. In hia own personal statement to a London correspondent Sir W. Jervois said Sir H. Atkinson himself called upon him (Sir W. Jervois) next day and explained that after due consideration he fonnd he could not see his way to offer a portfolio to Mr Beeves. The fact that Sir Harry called in person next day on Sir William is apparently opposed to the pro-' bability of Dr Grace having had anything to do with the negotiations." The Cabinet to-day considered the report of the Ell Commission, and resolved to give effect to the recommendation made, viz., that the sum of £200 be placed on the Estimates to compensate Mr Ell, and that legislation be introduced to enable Mr Ell to act ar* trustee in his own estate* The Government is asking the Bailway Commissioners to withdraw from their resolution to cease issuing gold railway passes so far as the present Parliament (and especially the Labour members of the Council) is concerned. The tenders of the following contractors have been accepted by the Public Works Department for the supply of seventy thousand Bleepers for the Rotorua and Otago Central lines: — Messrs Bi M'Phee and J. E. M'Kay, Hikurangi ; N. L. M'lnnis, Hikurangi; P. Griffin, Teremakau; J. Taylor, Cobden; J. Murtha, Kumara; J. Martin and T. Morgan, ! Kumara; M'Gingan, Kanieri; F. H. Garth, Ahaura; J.Kane, Greymouth; H. Lundjvist, Stillwater; , Butler Bros., Kokori; Nils Mortensjoh, Stillwater; J. C. Stewart, Coal Creek ; G. Lawson and Co., Kumara; C. Brown, Dillmanstown, J. Morris, Dillmanstown ,- J. and L. Morgan, Kumara ; Watson Bros., Riverton ; W. Watson, South Biverton ; T. Slowey, Westport ; J. Sutherland, Westport. [Per Pbess Association."! AUCKLAND, July 24. The Mayor, Mr Crowther, left to-day for Wellington on matters connected with the Municipal Corporation Act.