POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5339, 17 August 1895, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

[FROM OUE OWN COBUBSPONDBNT.] WELLINGTON, August 17. BANE OF NEW ZEALAND. As the result of leading between the lineß of the Premier's statements in the House last evening, the opinion is gaining ground that the proposals for securing the severance of the Bank of New Zealand and the Estates Company will take the form of a scheme for applying a portion of the million sterling of the guarantee, now held in liquid securities by the Bank, towards extinguishing the bank's liability to the oompany by writing off the amount of the company's Bharea credited as an asset of the Bank. This would relieve the Bank of all connec- 1 tion with the company, though, of course, it would not relieve those Bank shareholders who constitute the Assets Company. To make this use of the million will, of course, require fresh legislation. THE BANKING COMMITTEE. The first meeting of the Joint Committee to inquire into the affairs of the Bank of New Zealand and the Estates Company, was held this morning. All the members were present, and the Premier took the chair pro ten. It was resolved that the Hon C. O. Bowen should be the Chairman of the Joint Committee, and Mr Buchanan of the House section. The Committee then adjourned till 2.30 to-day, when it meetß again to take the evidence of Mr Watson, the President of the Bank. Nothing was said regarding the appointment of additional members of the Committee, and some doubt prevails as to whether the Premier** promise to increase the number holds good after Mr Smith's rejection of hie offer. [Peb Press Association.] A deputation, including Archbishop Bedwood, waited on iSessrs Beeves and Oadman this forenoon in favour of the inspection of Catholio schools by the examiners and inspectors of Government schools. Archbishop Bedwood said the inspection of private schools was contemplated by the father of the present Aot (the Hon C. C. Boven) when the Aot was passed, but ths use of the word " may " made it optional with the Boards. The Hon W. P. Beeves said the Cabinet would consider whether the matter should be made mandatory on the Boards. The intention of Parliament had been to leave the option largely with the committees and Boards. He could see no objeotion to the more impoitant private schools being inspected by Government Inspectors. The decision mußt rest with Parliament as to making it mandatory. When the Boards said that the only thing standing in the way was lack of funds for inspection ; he would go into the matter as to how those funds could be supplied.