POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 342, 24 August 1889, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE LATEST FROM THE HOUSE. [from our own correspondent. ] Wellington, last night. In the Council on Wednesday the Native Meetings Bill was read a third time and passed. Yesterday the Council agreed to send a message to the Governor, expressing gratification at the recovery of Lord Cranley. The Native Land Court Acts Amendment Bill, and Native Land Frauds Prevention Bill, have passed. In the House on Wednesday the Imprest Supply Bill (£200.000) passed through all K The Wi Pere Land Bill, which authorises K a grant of land being made to Wi Pere in of certain claims, was read a second time. The Mercantile Law Amendment Bill, Animals Protection Amendment Bill, and Shipping and Seamen’s Amendment Bill, were read a third time, and passed. Yesterday afternoon was occupied with the Onehunga Cemetery Bill, in Committee. The Bill was strongly opposed by Sir Geo. Grey and three other Auckland members, who succeeded in blocking its passage through Committee till the arrival of the dinner hour. In the evening sitting a message to the Governor, similar to that sent by tbe Council, was agreed to. The remainder of the Bitting was occupied with the debate on the second reading of the Otago Central Railway Bill. The motion was lost by 33 to 20. The Committee of the Legislative Council, on Harbor Works, recommend in regard to Gisborne, that the Harbor Board be not allowed to raise any more money than now authorised. The Committee is of opinion that the scheme of Harbor improvement in Gisborne has been hastily devised, and that the increased shipping facilities which will be given when the .£105,000 now authorised ig expended, will not be adequate to justify burdens imposed. In the Legislative Council this afternoon the Ngarara and Waipiro Further Investigation Bill passed through Committee. A Bill to provide for determining titles to a block of land known as Poututu, Gisborne district, was read a first (?) time. The Oriroataka Title Bill passed through Committee, with amendments.

It is to be regretted that, in consequence of the financial condition of the colony, the Government do not sea their way to subsidise public libraries thin year. It is probable that, something will be done in this direction next yearscheme is to be formulated during the the suggestion of Mr Cowan, for in State schools under tbe of the Civil Service Reform Act, as regards retiring allowA. bill has been prepared, which, it is hoped, will place the system of auditing the accounts of local bodies on a better footing than at present. If suitable persons can be found, inspectors will be appointed outside the local police force under the Licensing Act. Ministers said that £1312 at the end of March last had been received as fines imposed railway employees. A bill was to be introduced to provide that this fund should be applied to retiring allowances for railway servants, and for sick allowances and for cases of accidents received in the service. A bill is to be introduced providing for raising the age of consent. Mr Tanner intends to ask the Minister of Education why the sum of £6,184 voted for school buildings was not apportioned to the respective Education Boards. Mr Joyce is to ask if the Premier will ascertain how many civil servants practise the art of outdoor photography for gain, and will the Government consider the propriety of issuing a circular forbidding such a practice ? Mr Larnach intends moving that no loans out of Trust Funds shall be vested in Harbor Board securities. A deputation, consisting of Presbyterian clergymen and others, waited on the Premier urging that the aged and infirm widows and orphans fund shnutd be exempted from the property tax. The Premier has (promised that their views should receive consideration at the hands of the Government, Mr Feldwick’s new clause in the Fire and Marine Insurance Bill was not agreed to. The Government, in reply to Mr Cowan, intimated that they recognised that a computation of capitation allowance on tbe strict average attendance does not work out fairly In tbe case of country schools, although such ■ahcols are'only'affected indirectly. However, they think some change is desirable, and will give the matter full consideration during the . recess. It is intended to extend the benefits of the note system so that settlers redding at a distance from money order offices may purchase postal notes at all post-offices in the ta-ne way as postage stamps. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand lately petitioned the House praying for immediate legislation to suppress gambling, pugilistic entertainments, and the publication of evidence in certain police cases. The Public Petitions (A. to Z ) Ccmntfttee, who have gone into the matter, report that they have no recommendation to make on the aubjeot.