POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5338, 16 August 1895, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

Traox «w« own oombotowdiht.] WELLINGTON, August 15. COMPUWORT RBBUKFTtOH OF LANDB. ! The preliminaries are now completed for hearing and determining the demand made by the Government for the compulsory acquisition of the Ardgowan Estate, near Oamaru, under the Land for Settlements Act. The Court has been constituted as follows: — Mr Justice Williams will preside, Mr Donald Reid will be the assessor representing the company owning the estate, and Mr Robert Hay, of Dunedin, will be the assessor for the Government. The Court will sit on Sept. 2. BANKING LTOiaIiATION. There is little new in tbe gossip of the lobbies on this question. There is quite a number of members who declare that they will reuißt any addition to the colony's liability with regard to the bank, and the assertion is frequently made that if necessary they would rather force the bank into liquidation, let the two millions sterling go and take over the business as a Stata bank. Little donbt is entertained thatamalgamationpropoßalsare ■ in train, but a well-known director of the Colonial Bank is said to have intimated that his bank is not anxious for amalgamation, and will maintain its former position of dictating terms. Absolutely nothing is known as to the Government's intentions in the matter, and the presumption is that the Ministerial policy is intended to be shaped in accordance with the committee's report. The dissatisfaction formerly mentioned as prevailing in connection with tbe personnel of the proposed committee has found voice in a notice of motion by the member for Invercargill to add the names of Messrs Graham and Thompson to the committee 'to be set up by the House. MINIBTJJBIAL ALLOWANCBBi The Premier to-day laid on tbe table of the House a return showing the amounts drawn by each Minister, of the expenditure for travelling allowances and expenses during the financial year ended March 31 last. These are as follows : — Under the heading ordinary expenses i— Hon R. J. Seddon, ,£BBB IBs W; Sir P. A. Buckley. £I*B 5a 6d ; Hon J. G. Ward, £402 16a 3d; Hon J. M'Kanzie, £478 Os 4d; Hou W. P. Beeves, £227 19a sd; Hon A. J. Cadman £183 5s 4d; Hon J. Carroll, £344 9s 6d ; Hon W. Montgomery, 413; joint expenses, JB3 19s 6d. In addition the following sums are shown: Expenses of Native tour— Hon R. J. Seddon, £263 7s 6dj Hon J. Carroll, £241 2s Id, making a grand total of £3129 18s 4d, of which £1213 10s are set down as allowances and £1916 8s 4d as expenses. The latter item includes the coßt of conveyance of Ministers* secretaries and other officers, ' , COUEBB OV BUBINIBB. It is understood that the financial debate wilj terminate early on Friday evening, and that the Premier will then move to set up a committee to inquire into the banking situation. An interesting preliminary debate on banking matters may be expected to take place on that motion. . THB CONVICT CHBXIB. Mr Mills has received many warm congratulations on his success in carrying through both Chambers the Bill giving the convict Chemis the right to apply for a new trial. It is now six years sinoe Chemts was convicted of murder, and Mr Mills was then strongly persuaded of his guilt, and was of opinion that he onght to be hanged. As the result of a dose study of the evidence, his opinion was Boon after changed, and since then he has worked with dogged assiduity to establish the convict's innocence, and has gained for him the right of appeal. The credit for the success of his efforts must be shared with Mrs Chemis, who has shown unswerving faith in her hnsband'e innocence, and has "lobbied" most earnestly in favour of the Bill now passed into law. It is believed that a public subscription will be raised to enable Chemis to prosecute his appeal. MIBCBLLANBOTTS. Mr G. J. Smith is renewing his question as to whether the Government will give the House an opportunity of adjourning for the opening of the industrial exhibition .at Ohristchorch. He is also asking the Colonial Treasurer to give favourable consideration to the request of. the Canter* bury Chamber of Commerce, that the reduction or abolition of duties should not come into operation till Jan. 1 next. The same member haß a question for Tuesday next requesting to be informed of the intentions of the Government with regard to the Christchuroh unemployed. Mr Maslin wishes the Government to Bet up a committee to inquire into the working of the Advances to Settle™ Act, especially with regard to the unequal distribution of loans to the several provincial districts.