NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 32, 1 November 1907, Page 9

NEWS AND NOTES.

Tho Premier , laid on the table of the House on Wednesday a return of moneys borrowed by J. J. Meikle to .carry on his 'case. Tho principal amount was contributed by K. Macdoiiald, Taranaki Street, Wellinston, viz., £290. . Other sums were lent as follows: —E. Brake, express proprietor,' £53; W. Young, publican, Waitarn, £s'o; Wellington Loan Company,' £41; N. Simpson, Wellington,'£33; T. V. Vciiablos, land agent, £34; A. AVolff, commission agent, Wellington, £26; W. J. Hunt, mining agent, Wellington, £10; H. White, Wellington, £15; W.. Whinham, Wellington, £16; W. Weidner,' phbtographer, Wellington, £20; James Kilminster, farmer, Lower Hutt, £51; Mr; M'Do'ugall, baker, Wellington, £15. There iiro several other sums for small amounts. 'The total is £753: ■ (' ' ' ; . ■ - / Tlio Premier, in reply to Mr. Bollard, said that it wa,S;:iiot intended to sot up another,-. Royal-Commission , to deal with the claims.of old soldiers. Mr. (Barber asked tho Premier, "Whethor, in view of the;reply given to a question on July 3 last—rnamely, that tho question of oponing , tho road- round Point, Halswell, between Shelly Bay and Karakaßay, would be favourably-considored after certain contemplated changes in harbour dofeneo aro carried out—ho will inform the Houoo whether tho contemplated'-changes hare been givon olfcctito; -if- not, will it ■ be possible to h'JVo them carried out at an early date, so as to allow itlicrnad':to be- opened and. made available for traffic - during the coming summer?" The printed reply was :r-r "It is intended to do. so.:as sooj) as cir-cumstances-permit." ;...' Sir W. J.\ SWard riked,, tho. Premier, "Whether, in view of recent cables to the effect tli.it tho. European' inhabitants .'of .tho. French colonics of Tahiti. and New Caledonia nro .dimtisjicd with the present administration, of tlipii; affairs and desire to come under l.!io British flag, and of the assorlcd willingnnss or tlie'Govqijnmcnt of the French' Hepiiblis. lo -consider ! tho transfeiof those dopendenciiis. to some other power, ho has made,, or will , mako, in'.conjiinction with tho Government.of. tho.Commonwcnltli pf Australia . representations to' the Imperial Government as to the, expediency of oponing up negotiations! with a vienr. to tho acquisition of tho. islands nnnied,' .thus giving effect to tho wishes' of .tho'European population,'and adding .to the cccurily ol British authority iii Australasia?" Tin:. Premier replied that the, matter was under consideration. . i',. ~..'--..

Mr. Bollard asked the ■''Jiinistor. of' , ' Education, "Whether ho will introduce legislation to allow teachers who through no'fault of their own nro now , debarred from'; the benefits of ■ The Teachers' ;Siiperaimim{io!! Act, 1905, to receive as 'original mcmlire' the benefits of that Act?"; Mr. Bollard added that strong rcconmiciulr.tims lind boon made to tho .Govornmont.,by tho Education Committee, recommending that tho law ho amended so as to allow "original members" to receive, tho benofits of 'thV Act, such members being iibw" debarred through no fault of their own. Tho Minister ronlied :—"lf tho honourable''member will rotor to my statement in the'(lobato on July 30, with regard to , certain jiotiticna on this subject, ho will see that T gnvo reasons why it would be very difficult to take tho coursie proposed. I can son no limit to the number of claims that would ariso under any retrospective legislation that could, bo devised."

~ Mr. Barber has given notice, to ask the Minister of Mines, "Whether he dors not consider tbo time has come for tho establishment of a State coal depot atrWellington South."