POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 327, 20 July 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE LATEST FROM THE HOUSE. THE PREMIER AND DB NEWMAN. OTAGO CENTRAL JOB. THE CHARITABLE AID BILL. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. [FROM OUR OWN COBRXSFONDXNT.] Wellington, l«#t night. Politics are very fiat, excepting of course in regard to the Representation Bill, whioh touohea most members on * delicate personal point—they are all human, and not above th* regard for self whioh io * prominent faatur* the world over. One nice little topic of conversation io the revival of a rumor whioh waa current some time ago, that Sir Harry Atkinson proposed to contest a Wellington constituency st next general election. I hear now that he ha* made up his mind on the subject, and will stand for Wellington City, It the city electorates are not amalgamated he will oppose Dr Newmsn for Thorndon. It Sir Harry does carry out his intention ho is pretty certain of being returned. Dr Newman is the member with whom the Premier had a few peppery passages the other day. Messrs Mills and Larnach are endeavoring to get the House to vote a grant of land for the daughters of Mr Mao Andrew, in th* same way as was done for Dr Featherston 'e daughters. The hon gentlemen are meeting, with considerable success, and in all probability the grant will be agreed to. The country members were to have bad * meeting this mornlag, but abandoned it. Every member who is for the country on the Representation Bill question had, however, been notified to be in his place when the House meets. The Premier has given notice to move that a select committee be appointed to inquir* and report sb to what form of local government is best adapted to the requirements of New Zealand, the committee to consist of Dr. Hodgkinson, Mr Moss, the Hon. G. F, Richardson, Mr Seddon, Mr Jones. Mr Whyte, Mr Pyke, Mr Samuel, Mr J. M’Kensie, Mr M'Arthur, and Mr Tanner. It is understood that Ministers have ooms to the conclusion that the Otago Central Bill is doomed to rejection. Its postponement was intended to give a further chance of getting it through if possible, but the members of the House appear determined that it shall only , pass on condition that other unfinished line*are treated on the same footing. To thia Ministers cannot agree. The bill will nqjrbe made a Ministerial question, but the Gofarnment will do their best to get it carried da ■ ite merits. It is considered probable that the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill will pass with some amendments in committee. It is understood that the chief objections are to the schedules which fix the governing bodies. These objections will be easily met without impairing lhe usefulness o! the bill. The rate of subaidiaing is not thought likely to be altered.

A petition was presented to-day by Mr J. Carroll on behalf of 36 Maoris, owners of the Paremata block at Gisborne. The petition states that through the persistent urging of Wi Pere and Mr Rees the petitioners agreed to hand over the block to the New Zealand Settlement Company. The land waa to be administered for the benefit of the Maori owners, two-thirds of the proceeds to go to the natives and one-third to the company, whioh was to receive no further remuneration. A covenant to this effect was drawn up and signed by all the owners of the block. The price fixed for the land was £9090, but the petitioners had only received £lOOO, the balance of £BOOO not being paid. Wtien the covenant was brought before the Trust and Frauds Commissioner the chairman of the Maori committee said that the nativeshad not been paid all their money, although Wi Pere and Mr Rees strongly urged him to admit th* payment. Thia chairman was then dismissed and a new chairman appointed, and • ■ 1 marked cheque for £BOOO ” was given to bin; When examined by the Trust Commissioner the new chairman said that all the money had now been paid. The Commissioner granted the certificate, and the bank took th* cheque, but up to the present time the peti. tionere had not received their money, though their land had passed from them. They therefore now pray for relief from this great calamity whioh has fallen on them through the action of Wi Pere, Mr Rees, and company, which they characterise in vary strong I*n T guage. They ask for assistance in setting aside the sale, andjn obtaining their land, a* they have no other means of support, Mj W. L. Rees is iu Wellington just now, and is understood to be actively lobbying iu favor of hia settlement scheme. I have reason to believe that Mr Rees’ settlement proposals ars now under the consideration of ths Government, but no decision has yet been arrived at, The Government would be glad to countenance in any reasonable way a genuine and satisfactory scheme of settlement, but is not yet certain how far in the opinion of the Cabinet Mr Mees' scheme may oom® undet that category,—H.B, Herald (Thursday),