POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6273, 2 September 1898, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

[FBOM OtJR CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 2. MORE RETURNS. Despite the large number of returns supplied this session, members are still displaying a craving for Information, which will take the departmental staffs weeks to compile. Amongst those of which notice was given yesterday, the following are of general interest:— Mr Smith desires a return of the capital value and value of improvements of all property exempt from taxation in the cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and DunediriV Mr Montgomery Wants to know the number of temporary clerks employed at the present time in the Treasury, Land and Income Tax Departments, and Lands and Survey Departments, and their rate of pay. Mr O'Regan's little order is the number of miners' rights issued for the year ending March '31 last, the revenue derived from the same to local bodies and Natives respectively, and the share accruing. The cost of each and every Commission appointed in the colony during twenty-one years, between June 30, 1877 and June 30, 1898, is called for by the member for Avon. Mr Joyce wonts to know all about the cadet corps of the colony, including the names, strength and schools to which they are .attached. Mr Carson is asking for the names, salary, duration of office and all sub-functions of District Court Judges appointed since 1858.

COAL MINERS' LIEN FOR WAGES. Mr Tanner, on behalf of the member for Grey, asked the Government yesterday if it was intended this session to introduce a Bill to amend the Coal Mines Act,, in the direction of providing that coal, miners shall have a lien of a mine for the value of work done by them for tho proprietor of the mine. In doing so, the member for Avon said that there was a necessity for some alteration, because the present law only .applied to certain classes of workers, in which coal miners were not included. The Hon A. J. Cadman stated, in reply, that it was desirable to have the law amended, but he thought it should be done in {^general clause applying to employees in every description of mine.