POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 661, 22 September 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[special to thk standard.] Welltnoton, last night The Conference on the Selectors’ Land Revaluation Bill have failed to arrive at any compromise, and the Bill will bedropfel for the session. There was an important meeting of the Cabinet held yesterday, concerning which it was rumored that the subject under discussion was the Hon. P. Buckley’s resigna’i* n, but as far ns Ministers know the Colonial Secretary has no intention of taking sur-h extreme steps. He is no donut greatly disappointed at being passed over in the appo'ntment of Mr Percival, and may have threatened to resign, but nothing of the kind has yet eventuated. The supplementary estimates will probably bo brought down to night, and these, together with the Public Works estimates, will occupy the House for some time, so that at the present moment there seems little prospect of the session terminating before Wednesday or Thursday night. The Attorney General, Native Minister, Ohirf Judge of the Native Lind Court, and Mr Raes spent this morning over the Native Land Bill, and finally settled the lines upon which it will be submitted to the House. In the main the Bill will follow legislation recommended by the Native Lands Commission, The general scope will be to enable Native Land Courts to take cognisance of all disputes and incomplete title*, and to give a final decision in all such cases, except those in which there has been fraud or direct illegality, and give certificates conveying indefeasible titles, the laws to contrary not with standing, In the case of fraud or direct illegality the Court is not empowered to give judgment, but must report such matters to Parliament, Sir George Grey is on the warpath regarding the expenses of delegates to the Federation Convention. Sir George, while in Sydney, kent his own expenses clear from those of his fallow delegates, and charged actual exuenses against the colony. He declined the offer of a private secretary, considering the appointment unnecessary. He lived at the best hots', charging all fair expenses against ths colony. Hearing, however, that a sum of £6OO had been rendered on account of representation 0! New Zealand, Sir George Grey insisted upon a return being made giving particulars, and after much trouble induced tha Government to render a return, which, however, was very adroitly made up to conceal the division of spoil, Sir George Grey figured at the head nf the return as receiving for individual expenses £44. Sir Harry followed with £25, and Captain Russell with £23. Then came an item ot £228. headed “ Joint expenses nf Sir Harry Atkinson and Captain Russell "—Secretary £lO9, printing reports £165. end papers supplied £6, making a total ot £6OO.