POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 486, 12 September 1899, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BY TKLEGRAI'H. OWN CORRESPONDENT). Wellington, Last Night. THE ESTIMATES. There is not likely to be any interruption to the Estimates to-morrow and a protracted sitting is expected. It is recognised by both sides that the general estimates must be passed, and as the House can go into Committee of Supply on Tuesday without any intercepting motion being proposed, the Premier hopes to get several classes through before the adjournment is taken. THE GENERAL ELECTIONS. I understand that a definite understanding is being arranged between the Premier and the Leader of the Opposi tion, under which, if the elections should go against the Government, the House is to be called together in January next. MR WRIGHT'S ILLNESS. The member for Ashburton (Mr E. G. Wright) is still, unfortunately, in very indifferent health, and will probably not be able to take his seat iu the House again this session. Mr Wright returned from the South a few days ago, after over a fortnight's absence, but left again to-day en route for Rotorua, where he has been ordered to remain tor soma txme. The Opposition are hopeful that Mr Wright may again be able to contest the Ashburton seat in the interests of the party, but Mr Wright himself assures me that the state of his health absolutely prevents his doing so. The hou. gentleman is exceedingly popular in his electorate, which was proved by the fact that his constituents returned him at the last general electioD, although Mr Wright, acting under medical advice, did not address the electors even once during the whole contest. THE ASHBURTON SEAT.

Mr Wright during his recent visit to Ashburton did his utmost to induce Mr C. A. Buckley to stand for Ashburton at the general election, but up to the present without success. Mr Buckley is tho eon of a former well-known Legislative Councillor (the Hon. George Buckley) of Canterbury, and if he consents to stand, it is confidently expected that the seat will be retained by the Opposition, especially as the Government candidate will be Mr John McLachlan, who represented the district in the last Parliament.