Parliamentary Notes.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 378, 6 August 1903, Page 5

Parliamentary Notes.

The Mines Committee have considered the Application of Simon Fraser, of Whangarei, for discovery of Hindon goldfield, Otago, which has been up every year siqd&flsß3. Petitioner got £3O from-the Provincial Government in 1865, and it did not appear clear that he was the first discoverer. It was considered that petitioner's request could not be granted. Another perennial petition is that made in respect of Thames goldfield discovery by William Alexander Hunt. Hunt died on 4th May, 1900, and his widow, in needy* circumstances, makes the application. Hunt made a fortune out of his discovery. His claim has been disputed and refused on several previous years, and the commmittee do not recommend its being granted. Wellington news states that the Rev Mrlsitt, in the course of an interview, stated with reference to the licensing deputation to the Premier yesterday, that the no-license party will vigorously oppose at least three of the proposals made by Mr Seddon—viz., that there shall be no local option poll till 1908; that magistrates shall replace licensing committees; and the absolute prohibition of liquor in homes in nolicense districts, i The " Star's" Parliamentary correspondent wires that Mr Taylor gave notice to ask whether, in view of the rapidly growing, .opinion that this colony is antagonistic to the liquor traffic, the Premier will this session introduce a bill to substitute annual for the present triennial licensing' polls. The Minister of Lands is having inquiries made as to how best to assist the bee-keeping industry, which, he thinks, should be encouraged, The suggestion that the Government should give prizes for certain exhibits at agricultural shows is not approved by the Minister -of Agriculture. He thinks that the money could be better spent in other directions. The Minister of Agriculture informed a Canterbury member that any district that wished to include larks, blackbirds, and fchruehea in the Small Birds Nuisance Aci had merely to advise the department^ and the necessary Order-in-Council would be issued.

" In these days nothing seems to be safe from the vandalism of the advertising fiend.''—Sir /W J Steward on hillside and coastline advertising. Mr Seddon, in the course of a mes» sage to Mr J 6 Rutherford, president of the Auckland Farmers' Union, said that he is certain the mutual principle in. fire insurance will break down existing monopolies, reduce premiums, and prove financially successful. The mutual principle, he adds, has succeeded in Canada and other places, and to say it should not succeed in Hew Zealand is a reflection upon our intelligence and business Capacity, Mir Seddon has developed a new trait in his many-sided character—that of the gay gallant,, slave to a woman's smile. It happened at a little function that took place in the Cabinet room this week, when the new Minister for Education desired to present in person a medal won by a local art student in the national competitions of the South Kensington Art Department. The customary brass baud was not in attendance on the Minister, but he had the highly-necessary photographer. Mr Seddon posed, as gracefully as possible before the orb of the apparatus, and gazed affectionately down upon the sweet student. : "I will have to ask jou to keep perfectly still for about -height sacomis," murmured the man at the machine. " Eight secondsrf '* replied the Premier, with another fond smile at the lady, " I will stay quiet for ten minutes if you will only continue to look at me like that!"

A fearful and wonderful signature by an official of the, Defence Department was exhibited in the house the other night by Mr A, L. D. Fraser, who cannot read it., He wants a Royal Commission to-be set up to decipher that name, but is afraid the Commission is foredoomed to failure.

The Hon J Carroll has presented to the House a petition from over 600 women of Poverty Bay district, praying that legislation he .passed to facilitate the. immigration to the colony of young women able and willing to become domestic servants.