LOBBY GOSSIP AND NEWS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 36, 7 September 1899, Page 20

LOBBY GOSSIP AND NEWS.

The Loan Bill, which was introduce! on Wednesday afternoon, authorises the Government to borrow a million sterling for specified objects. The money is to be allocated as follows :— Railway extension, £300,000 ; rolling stock and work in connection with existing lines, £225,000 ; land settlement, goldfields, and the construction of roads and bridges, £l."> 0,000 ; opening up Crown and native lands, £150,000 ; developing goldfield*, £50 000 ; school buildings, £50,000 ; purchase of native lands, £50,000 ; harbour defences, £25,000.

The end of the session is evidently drawing nigh, as the private members' day — Wednesday — has been appropriated by the Government, the result of which is that many of our old friends, nuch as the Liquor, the Marriage and Libel Bills will disappear from the Order Pap r.

Speaking on the subject of improved mail communication the other night, Mr. Massey said he had made inquiries and he had the very best authority for stating that the first of the new steamers for the 'Frisco service would be ready in nine months, the second in 15 months, and the third later on. Such being the case, in 12 months from now they might hare a 28 days' service between England and New Zealand, via San Francisco, once a month, and in two years' time they might have a 28 days' service every fortnight.

The House had not proceeded far in the consideration of the Estimates on Tuesday evening when members got completely ' off the track,' and everything under the sun was discussed save the immediate business of the Colony. Several warm, wordy encounters, largely punctuated with personalities, took place, and shortly after midnight Captain Russell moved the adjournment of the House as he was tired of hearing members reviling one another.