POLITICAL ITEMS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5916, 4 June 1886, Page 2

POLITICAL ITEMS.

Tho Minister of Public Works will be asked by Mr Smith whether the plans and specifications for the Manawatu Gorge line will be prepared, so as to be ready for com* mencing the work as soon as the money is voted. All papers in connection with the retiring allowance of £1310 7a 6d paid to Dr Hirlop, late Seoretary of Education, are to be moved for by Mr Sutter. Dr Newman does not see why natives should be allowed to take contracts along the North Island line of railway, and he i 8 going to move that they be open to Euro* peans and Maoris for tender. One of the most comprehensive motions given notice of for some time is that of Mr Hart, in the Legislative Council, to enquire into, consider, and report upon the condition of New Zealand, Referring to a rumor that Insuperable difficulties had cropped up with reference to the Midland Railway, the Post says :— We are aware that further information haa been received by the Government respecting this raiiway, but have good reason to believe there are no insuperable difficulties in the way of legislation in regard to the company, Mr T. B. Hannaford s petition that the Gamin;? and Lotteries Act might be so amended as to enable him to carry on matrimonial lotteries, has been adversely re* ported on by the Petitions Committee. On Wednesday a return was agreed to in the legislative Counoil, on the motion of Sir F. Whifcaker, showing the expenditure out of loans in eaoh of the provincial die* triots of the colony from the lit of January, 1870, to the 31st of Maroh, 1886, and the liabilities on the latter date, classified under the following heads :— (I) Railways; (2) roads (generally); (3) roads to open up Crown lands ; (4) immigration ; (5) tele* graphß ; (6) harbor works ; (7) waterworks on goldfields ; (8) lighthouses ; (9) pub'io build* ings i ; (10) advauces and payments to pablio bodies for public works.