POLITICAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4739, 2 September 1893, Page 7

POLITICAL.

c [fhom oue special correspondent.! WELLINGTON, Sept. 1. CANDIDATES. A rumour having reached mo from Christc'-mrcli to the effect that Mr Sandford did not intend to aeek re-election, I made a point cf Beeing that gentleman on the subject. He assured me that there is not; the slightest foundation for the rumour, and that he will certainly be a candidate for tbe representation of the city, unless something very uufore3eeu should happen in the interim. . The requisition to Sir. R. Stout, asking him to be » -camUdata for Christchurcli at the forthcoming general election has naturally excited interest among the Bitting members. I have seen each of the gentlemen with reference to the matter, and they inform me that bo far Sir Eobfirt has not conferred with them in the term 3 of hia statement to the deputation. It is considered extremely improbable that the member for Inangahua will resolve to stand for Chriotchurch, aobydoingsointhe present atate of public feeling on the lieen3--ingqu39tionh9 would placehimself indirect; opposition to Mr Reeves. If the licensing question had b_aen disposed of nothing would have betn more acceptable totheLiberaHnd Labour Party than that Sir R. Stout should be one of the candidates for Christchurch ; but aa tbe prohibition agitation seems likely to be actively prosecuted during the approaching election campaign, the tendency of hia candidature for the city would be to disintegrate the Liberal Par by. There will, therefore, ba aa agreemeufc arrived at by which the danger of sucn a result will be averted. THE HALBWE L. The Halawell Hi7er Drainage District Bill, introduced by t c Hon J. M'Kaazie, proposea to reconstitute the drainage district named, in the constitution of boundaries fixed by special order of the Selwyn County Council. The objscb is to facilitate the lowering of the level of Lake EMesmere, and for such purpose 1551 acres of land iv the Southbridgo and Ellesmere survey districts, and 731 acraa in the Ellesmere Eurvey district, are sat apart rb an endowment to th 9 Selwyn County Council, to be held in trust for the object named. LINCO&N SCHOOL OP. AGRICULTURE. The Minister for Agriculture, in replying to Mr RoUe&ton's question as to what tbe Government proposed to do to secure the repayment of .£SOOO due to the Lincoln School of Agriculture by the Canterbury College, stated that the Government had received an application for the paymeat of the money, and the matter waa under consideration. Tho Government was d<-;siroua of doing- all that waa necessary, but ha j could not say whether ife would be ' possible, at thia stav;e cf the session, ! to pH39 through the legislation required j to authorise tbe payment in question. Mr ! Sollestnn hoped it would be found poaßible i to do co, as tho uiatfcer wa3 of great mi- 1 portance. A very short Eill would suffice, j JOTTINGS AND INCIDENTS. In reply to a question by Ms Moors as j to the hours of duty of night watchmen at j the Chrietohurch police depot, the Minister for Defence Btatecl that he was not in a position to give definite information on the subject. He had cent an inquiry to Curistohurch, aud on obtaining a reply he would communicate it to the member for Kaiapoi. Mr Meradith's question to the Minister for Education on ths subject of tbe North Canterbury Board of Education's resolution against the payment of teachers on the strict average, elicited the information that the Government would not be able to deal with the matter this session by means of legislation, Enquiry was, ' however, being made, and the subject v/ould be carefully considered during the recsss. [Pee Fuebs Association.! AUCKLAND, Sept. 1. At a special meeting of tbe Eseontive of the Auckland "Women's Franchise League, a vote of thanks and congratulations wag passed to the members of the Upper House who voted for women's franchise. At a meeting at Port Albert, a resolution was passed condemnatory of the "retrograde provisions of the Government Liquor Bill." WELLINGTON, Sept, 1. A public meeting was held to-nighfa at .j Sb John's schoolroom to protest againat the •' Liquor Bill. The Moy^r presided, and there was a large auendtincg. Sir S. : Stout strongly condemned the mea- : sure, and moved a resolution protesting against the Bill, believing that if it became law ifc would not increase but diminish the peopled control of the trade and create a vesied interest in l'csnsea. The Bey J. Patterson seconded the motion. The Eev J. Crewe3 moved an amendment — "That the Bill should ,bo passed a3 giving to the people popular control that could be given by the Government in safety." The resolution was carried with but one dissentient. Only two supported the amendment. Sir E. Stout made some eevere remarks on Mr Crew es' amendment; After Bfiveial others had spoken, a vote of thanks t:> Sir B. Stout and the members of the House who had supported the Bill waa carried. Mr H. D. Bell, in recognising the vote to the Chairman, said that he wa3 .fully delermined not to contest a eeat at the general election.