IN THE LOBBY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 986, 4 July 1883, Page 2

IN THE LOBBY.

[from our parliamentary correspondent.] , Wellington, To-day. It is considered almost certain that the portfolio of Minister of Rrilways - will be offered to Mr Wright, member for Ashburton. Mr Shaw gave notice to-day of a Bill to amend the law relating to Gaming and Lotteries. In the House this afternoon Mr Turnbull is to ask the Colonial Secretary what complaints, if any, have been made to him by the sheepfarmers, agriculturists, or residents of South Canterbury, of the manner in which the sheep inspector of the district, Mr Jas. McDonald, has performed the duties pertaining to his office, an office which he has held for the last twelve years. Mr Holmes is to ask the Minister for Public Works. —(l) What progress has been made with the survey of a line of railway from Hurunui to the West Coast of the Middle Island, and how many survey parties are employed in the work, and what route is being surveyed. ‘ (2) When he expects to receive the final' reports of the surveyors of such line. (3 ) Will he take steps to expedite such survey 1

The Hon. Walter Johnston had the honor of delivering his Public Work* Statement by the aid of the elictric light, which was brought into operation in the Parliamentary bnildings for the first time last night. The experiment was most successful. The light, though rather unsteady owing to the irregular working of the machinery, was incomparably more brilliant than that afforded by gas, and Dr Lemon is to be congratulated on the success attending the erection of the apparatus. In the House itself there are altogether 96 lights. Of these 80 are contained in four separate clusters, hanging from the ceiling, the others are side lights. The light was only used for one hour, and when replaced by the gas the chamber presented a dingy washed-ont appearance. The clusters are fixed too low, dazzling the eyes of the occupants of the gallery, and it is proposed to raise them higher.