NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 7, 3 October 1907, Page 8

NEWS AND NOTES.

JOTTINGS FROM THE PRESS GALLERY. Mr. H. G. Ell (Christchurch) yestorday asked the Promier whether the Government would introduce a Bill to amend the Rating ou Unimproved Values.Act', 1896, in the direction of enabling the ratepayers in the seventy-six counties, cities, boroughs, and town and road districts which' have adopted this system of rating to bring all or any of tho rates now exempted by section 20 of tho Act under the operation, of tho system adopted? The,-reply-was that, with tho heavy -programme'-_of works al--1 ready fixed for this sossion, it was not contemplated to introduce legislation on this matter this year.

" A Bill is in course of preparation to amend the ; Slaughtering and Inspection Act, 1900, and, if the work of the House admits of it, it will bo submitted for tho consideration of members this session." This was the Premier's reply yesterday to Mr. Arnold. '

"Aetivo service and its hardships, with the rough life in the early days, are bringing about their results" was tho aged plea of Edmund Cookson, \yho petitioned Government yesterday for a pension as an old Maori war veteran. He was attached to tho

Waikatos, to tho members of which regiment grants of fifty acres of land had bc">n mado.

Tlio Minister of Mines was asked yesterday by Mr. Hogg: " "Whether, in view of what is occurring at Newcastle, Noiv South Wales, he will seo that plenty of coal-measures are reserved for State purposes." The Minister replied: "The importance of this matter is recognised, and the reservation of coal areas for State purposes has not been overlooked."

Mr. D. Jleid (Taieri) wanted to know from the Government whether, with a view to a clear definition of the words "the people," so often used in debate in the House, they will amend the Interpretation Act, 188S, by adding a clause giving a definition of the words, and stating n\ore especially what amount of property a person may own without being excluded from that class. The Premier said ho was not awaro of any inconvenience having arisen, hut would have the matter carefully looked into. Mr. Thomson asked the Minister of Public Health: "Whether the 1000 copies of the handbook on lifesaving ordered by the High Commissioner from' the Royal Live-Saving Society, London, and paid for by the New Zealand Government, have been distributed; and, if so, to whom?" The Hon. G. Fowlds replied:—"ln 1901, 2000 handbooks of instruction, published, by the Life-saving Society, London, 2000 charts from the same society, and '3000 pamphlets published by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association' were distributed to Education Boards, high schools, university colleges, the New Zealand Swimming Association,! the School for Deaf-mutes and industrial schools." ■ The'Minister-of Justice stated in reply (;o Mr. Ell:—"Attention lias been called to the inquiry instituted by the police and conducted b.y the Crown Solicitor into tlio conduct of the Criterion Hotel, Christchurch, hold before the Licensing Committee, and should it bo found, that .any'otherhotel in the Dominibn is being similarly conducted prompt police action •'.ill be taken.. There is, however, every reason to -believe, that this is an. isolated case." Tlio Minister of Education ' states tt.at a grant has bcoii authorised totuo pnrcliasc of a school-site at .liaraimi. ■ . , It-plying to Mr. Hogg yesterday, -uo- -Jative Minister said that the eolation of rate's o:i Native lands was a-./avs a troublesome matter, but as .icreasbd facilities wore given, for t< c settlement of fcheso. lands the ;-:;ieiilfcy would correspondingly disappear. . , , ' . In rep?y to Mr. AY. H. Barber, the Premier yesterday said that the question of extended hours of attendance at Wellington South Post Omco was under consideration. .Tho request for additional postal facilities recently had attention, and lie had authorised tho despatch of mails . from Wellington South more frequently. Sir. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill) is to ask. the Minister, for . Justico whether there is any truth in the rumour'that it is tho intention of the Government' to establish' another grade in the police . service of the Dominion —'that is'to-say, by ap-' .pointing Superintendents of Districts to reside in each of tho largo centres, Who will havo jurisdiction over the outside Inspectors? Mr. T. 0. K.-Sidoy desires a return of tlio number of people -who passed through the gates at the Exhibition; tho number who paid for 'admission (not including season tickot holders), tlio number of season ticket-holders .nd the number who entered - without' payment. Mr. Sidey's reason for so moving will, no doubt, be disclosed ;er. A petition from a largo number of settlers in tho North Auckland districts .praying for the advance of the railway to' Maiingatapero was presented to Parliament yesterday. A question by Mr. H. G. Ell: When will tho practice of- disfiguring the railway station buildings with ugly and unsightly advertisements" :be discontinued?. .