LATEST POLITICAL NEWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXV, Issue XXV, 9 August 1893, Page 5

LATEST POLITICAL NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] (From our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, August Bth. Iv reply to Mr H. S. Talentine, the Minister of Lands to-day informed the Hodse that the land surveyed some time ago at Glenkeuich would be open for selection on perpetual Jease on or about the 27th September, and that lithographed plans would be issued on and after the 21st inst. As briefly mentioned in my last telegram, the Mining Act Amendment Bill was read a second time on Friday evening after considerable discussion. The Bill piovides for advances being made by the Government to companies and private persons prospecting for gold and silver at deep levels, the Government taking security over the claim, machinery, etc., and also stipulates for the repayment of loans out of the first gold obtained. The Bill is beyond doubt a good one for assisting the mining industry, particularly in certain parts of dhe colony. The Minister of Mines claimed urgency for the Bill ; indeed, bo much a matter of urgency did he make it that he sacrificed seven out of the eight clauses it contained that he might save No. s—the5 — the only one ultimately left in the Bill. This clause certifies that any special claim or licensed holding heretofore granted shall not be deemed invalid by reason of disseverance by any road, river or watercourse. Nothing but the determination with which Mr Seddon stuck to this clause, and The Force and Persistency with which he advocated its importance, saved it fron? going by the board like the other seven. He claimed for it that it was intended to remove some doubts as to the validity of certain titles to claims about the Wilrou Eiver field. He was further agreeable that the Bill should go to the Goldfields Committee; but at the last moment ho got angry and insisted on the Bill being committed at once. But he only carried the motion by six votes, many of those in favour of the Bill voting against it, as I have already informed you, because he had not kept his promise. 1 understand that The Urgency of the Bill has a close connection with certain mining holdings having a double river or watercourse frontage in the South Island, but chiefly, I believe, at Wilsons .River. Notice of a new Mining Bill was given this afternoon. "It will likely contain provisions for Assisting Deep Level Prospecting ; in fact, will contain the clauses thrown out of the Bill which was so hurriedly passed last Friday night, some say to save the Ministers and their friends from an awkward fix. The Licensing Bill. An analysis of the majority on Sir Robert otout's Bill reveals the fact that men of all political shades of opinion made common cause on the question and voted purely from a conviction that drastic reform of some kind is necessary in the licensing laws. A large number of those who voted jor the second reading of the Bill did so, not because they believe in the measure as it stands, but rather as an indication to the Government that Reform Is Urgently Needed. The Government will certainly bring down a Bill this session, and it is quite as t certain that it will be shelved and the whole subject postponed for the consideration of the new House. The nature and extent of -the reforms to be ultimately undertaken will, therefore, depend upon the answer the country will give at the general elections and the men that are sent into the House. Ominous. The House is going to ait on Mondays for the discussion of Government business only. This looks very like hurrying on for the end of the session ; but, all the same, I do not think the House will rise for good until the end of September, which will terminate the present Parliament. The Member for Tnapeka is getting letters and other communications every day almost urging him to again consent to stand at the next election ; but I believe he is firmly convinced that it is an impossibility for him to do so with so much private business in his hands to look after. The Stock Bill of the Minister for Lands is in the main a consolidation measure, and embodies an alteration that has been found necessary to the proper workings of the four existing Acts. The tax on sheep is continued at 2s per hundred head, and no tax is proposed to be imposed on cattle, as was the case last year. Stock are not permitted to be driven in the daytime on highways except special authorisation be obtained from the Inspector of Stock or a J.P. The dipping of long-woolled and crossbred sheep is made compulsory. Provision is made for the registration of a metal clip in the earmark, and a tatoo mark or firebrand on the horn or face, in conjunction with the ordinary wool brand. Noxious Weeds Bill. The black berry,- broom, and sweetbriar are about the only " weeds " left in the Hon. John M'Kenzie's Noxious Weeds Bill by the Committee of the House, and these would have been left out too only that there would have been nothing left I but the title, and there was nothing handy to eradicate in such a way as to render its springing up again impossible. The Electoral Bill will likely get through committee tonight. The Insane. There were on December 31st last 1917 registered insane persons in the colony, showing an increase of 68 on the previous year. The precentage of recoveries on admissions was 42*42, as against 37*24 in 1891. Dr Macgregor regrets the prospect of his being unable to provide separate accommodation for idiots, criminal lunatics, and inebriates.

The Conservatives will propose 44 new clauses when the Home Rale Bill is reported from committee,