POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 315, 22 June 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

ADDRESS IN BEFLT. Mr Harkness, the member for Nelson, will J move the address-in-reply, and Mr Hum- f ihreys, the member-elect for Christchurch tforth, has been asked to second it. Very few members have arrived yet, and it was not expected that more than thirty would be present at the opening of the session. Such a scarcity of members on the first day of tbe session has not been seen for years.

TBEFABATIONS —MR FISHEB’S TACTICS. The usual preparations for tbe session are going on at the House, tbe outside appearance of which, by the way, is vastly improved, having received a fresh coat of paint and varnish, and the buildings as a whole present a more imposing aspect than they have done for some years past. The seats allotted to members are in most cases similar to those ot last session. Mr George Fisher, the late Minister for Education, who left the Cabinet a short time ago, has | iterally crossed over to the other side ef the House, having ticketed his seat next to that of Mr Percival, a strong Oppositionist. According to the ** man in tbe street,” Mr Fisher intends to make things particularly lively for the Premier during the session, notwithstanding that those who should know something about the matter assert that Sir Harry Atkinson in reality treated his late colleague with the greatest consideration as long as he could possibly do so. The amount of corresponpence that has passed between the Premier and Mr Fisher over the latter's resignation is, I hear, something appalling, but as the whole business will shortly come before the House, further reference to it at present is unnecessary. BAILWAY EMPLOY BBS. Mr Taylor, the facetious member for Sydenham, takes the liveliest interest in - • this branch of the Government service, and i waited on the Railway Commissioners to — ascertain whether the report was correct that in future no men would be taken in the department who wore over 37 years ot _ I ago. The Chief Commissioner at once e Mr Taylor's mind in the ma ter, and that no such decision had been come Commissioners. FOLTCT BILtS. The Ministers have a large number of their policy measures ready far circulation. The Electoral Bill and the Charitable Aid Bill will be introduced next week. The financial statement is also practically completed, the present intention being to deliver it on an unusually early dite. This being the case, a short session is expected, but. there are numerous very debatable subjects to be dealt with, including the new rules of procedure, the Ban Francisco mail service, the Te Kooti episode, the appointment of the Railway Board, the new judgeship, the North Island trunk railway, and , various little bills that were shelved last year on the understanding of L inistora to keep them steadily in view during the i recess. THE AGNEWS.

The irrepressible Mr and Mrs Agnew, who are so well known to every member of the House, and who nave just completed a sentence of six months in gaol for using threatening and insulting language to Sir Harry Atkinson, were again brought up before thiee Justices, charged with having insufficient means of support. Tbe defendants vehemently pleaded not guilty, and said that they were the victims of a long and severe persecution. Agnew protested against jsuoh a charge being brought against him, “ when wo have a hundred and five (acres of land of our own, your Worships.” A scene of considerable uproar then ensued, the Banoh trying in vain to keep the Agnews quiet. Eventually they were sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour. Mrs Agnew (here shouted out that all their trouble was owing to Mr Soobie Mackenzie, the member for Mount Ida, and that the reason for their imprisonment was because the session was coming on. . They were both finally removed from ths -A Court, loudly protesting against the treatmeat they had received from, everybody.

The Latest. MR FISHER WASHING THE DIRTY LINEN.

[Standabd Sfkcial Cobbesfondent.] Wellington, last night. Mr Harkness, the new member for Nelson, moves the Address-in-Reply, and Mr Laury, Franklin North, will second. A motion will be tabled for the abolition of th a 10 per cent, duty on the alienation of Native lands. Mr Fisher, this afternoon, gave notice to more on Wednesday for the production of all correspondence between the late Governor, French Consul, and the Minister of Education re the escape of Gaspariui. He also asked tbe Premier to lay all correspondence re his resignation on the table, and said he had been villified and slandered, and it was only just to himself th it the papers should be produced as early as possible, The Premier said he had no objeotion to laying the papers on the table if Mr Fisher d si e 1 it, though to du so would form a very bad preeedent indeed ; however, as the bon. gen'l man bad asked for it, there was nothing ebe ti be done but to lay the papers before the House.

Notice has been given of the introduction of—Eight Hours Bill, Town Districts Act Amendment Bill, Divorce Act Amendment Bill, Cemeteries Act Amendment Bill, Auctioneers' Act Amendment Bill, The Shop Hours Bill.