POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7765, 24 July 1903, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

[Fkom Our Cobkkspondent.] WELLINGTON, July 24, SHOPS AND OFFICES BILL.

, The Labour Bills Committee has decided to lake the evidence of Wellington employers und employees next Friday, nnd those from Dunedin on Friday, August 7, and has fixed the latter day as the last day upon which* it will receive applications for evidence in regard to the Offices and Shops Bill.

BLACKBALL RAILWAY,

Messrs Guinness, Taylor and Laurenson interviewed the Premier and Minister of Public Works this morning, with a request that the proposed stationi site at Blackball should be carried a, mile further, -so as to terminate near the pit's imouth in the township. Mr Hall-Jones promised to recommend tho Cabinet to accede to the request, conditionally on the Blackball Coal Company guaranteeing freight from coal to the extent of £300 per annuam, for a period of seven yeara, which would cover interest on the capital cost of the proposed extension, all freight received from the company's mine and other coalmines in the district to go in reduction of the guarantee, so as to' provide for any deficiency. INEBRIATE HOMES. The Inebriates Institutions Amendment Bill of the Attorney-General, giving the Goveruor-in-Council power to direct that any institution -shall be for tlie reception of curable inebriates only, and that no Judge or Magistrate may commit anyone to such institution unless two medical practitioners certify their opinion that there is a reasonable prosmect of the permanent recovery of the inebriate. The Colonial-Secretary is empowered to remove an inebriate from one institution to another.