POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14841, 5 December 1913, Page 9

POLITICAL NOTES.

(SPErtAT, to "tiii. rRKSS.") WELLINGTON, December 4. MR P. -.EYES'- CASE. The petition of Peter Hcyes, of Wellington, praying that the charges on which ho was asked to.resign his position as Commissioner of Taxes bo fully enquired into, and' that he be granted compensation, was reported upon today, by the. A to L Public Petitions Committee. The committee recommended that in view- of the circumstances surrounding the retirement of Mr Hoyes from the Public Service, his petition be referred to the Government with a recommendation that the subject matter thereof and the statement made beforo the committee, should be investigated by a judgo of the Supreme Court. OLD SOLDIERS' PETITIONS.' Tho petition of James William Durie, of W an g ant "> praying that he bo granted tho New Zealand war medal on account of military services rendered by him has. been referred by tho A to L Petitions Committee to the Government for "special-consideration" on account of the dangerous nature of tho meritorious services rendered by the petitioner. The petition of Philip Eva, of New Plymouth, for a pension for services os a militia man has been referred by. the, A to L Petitions Committee io the Government for favourable consideration. The petitioner is totally blind, and* is unable'to obtain the old age pension. ' ' . -, :2n AVAL DEFENCE BILL. * After the Telegraph Office closed at two o'clock this mornihg, the Naval--Defence Bill was put through its final stages, the division on the third reading resulting in Aye« 31. Noes 18. , SUPRE"ME COURT BENCH. The Minister for Justice states that if the Judicature Act is passed by the Legislative Council, it will be riece_sary "app^ the vacancy created'by the departure of Sir Joshua/Williams, and another to" fill a second position. The new appointments "have not yet been considered by the Cabinet,. but Mr Herdmah stnted that* no 'doubt if Mr Justice Sim desired to<be relieved of the responsibility of" the Arbitration ; Court work, one of the. positions ,would be offered to; him. ;