TOURIST DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2673, 1 December 1909, Page 3

TOURIST DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT.

AN INTERESTING SERIES OF QUESTIONS.

- (Special to “Times;”) WELLINGTON, Nov. 30. In the House to-day : , Mr. Wright (Wellington) gave notice to ask the Government (1) How was it that Mr. T. E. Donne was allowed, while head of the Tourist Department, to have private work done in bird stuffing, cases made for the .same, and paid for with public money, as is alleged (2) How was it that Mr Donne, while head of the Tourist Department, was enabled to purchase Maori curios, Maori* carvings, and carved houses P (3) How much was paid by the Government, to Mr. Donne for his collection of Maori curios, carvings,, carved houses, stags heads, etc.; and who recommended the purchase and estimated the value? (4) Will a, list of such articles and the prices paid be laid on the table of the House? , , This interesting series of questions lias been somewhat spoiled by the form in which they ap]>oar ' in the order paper. They have been split up by the sub-editing of the Clerk of' the Hoiise into two questions set down for December-8. arid a motion for a return to be moved if opportunity offers on December Ist. The forms of the House do not permit a question to be asked involving'a return. Ilence the alteration. Number 3 in the original question lias been altered into a notiffe of motion for a return, and will never have a chance of coining on this session, because it is not likely to rank as “unopposed.” The portion remaining as a notice of question is comparatively harmless, and the answer must bo accepted whether satisfactory or other-

wise. Of course Mr. Wright may. bo altogether wrong in his suggestion con.voyed in the questions given above, but the fact that the whole series will not be answered conclusively, as they might be, is calculated to give dissatisfaction, to those who would like, to be enlightened as to the facts of the matter. '