NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 48, 20 November 1907, Page 9

NEWS AND NOTES.

There is good reason to believe that what has been a grievance amongst railway men is likely soon to be removed. On Monday night' Mr. Hornsby a,skcd the Premier: "Why should not the Railway Superannuation Act contain n clausq similar to tho Public Service Superannuation Bill, so that whciv a railway man after retiring upon superannuation dies, tho payments should be continued to his widow or other dependents?" Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said that if tho railway men would agree' to tho 5 per cent, basis instead of tho 3 per cont., ho would take an early opportunity of extending the samo honolits to thorn as would bo enjoyed by tho other branches of tho public service.

Tho Committee to whom was referred tho Harbours Bill report that, in view of tho numorous amendments proposed by the conferenco, and tho limited time now at tho disposal of Parliament, tho Bill would not lie proceeded with 'this session, but that the Government bo urged to bring it before' the Houso early noxt session. . Mr. Poland is to move in the House that a return be proscnted showing tho cost of members' now railway passes. Mr. Ruthorford yesterday gave notice to move for a ruturn showing how many of thoso who were recently sontenced to imprisonment at Christchurch for trespassing on tlio Riccarton Racecourse had previously been convicted and served sentences in tho gaols of tho Dominion, and tho crimes for which they wcro convicted and tho naturo of their sentonces. Tho total number of children under 14 yoars of age in tho care of tho State, either residing at or connected with Industrial Schools, Industrial Farms, Deaf Muto Institutions, Orphanages, Receiving Homes, or any other institutions is 1205. Tho number of children boarded out from such institutions with persons who receive paymont for the caro of thorn is 697, , There aro 436 children placed in Homes under the provisions of tho Infant Life Protection Act. There are twolve boys and six girls in mental hospitals. The Premier mentioned last night that tho House, during this session, had sat 557 hours before midnight, and 90 hours after midnight.

A petition from Mossrs. Horsely, Harris, and eighty-two otlicrs, of Wanganui, was yesterday reported upon by tho Select Committee as follows:—" That this petition ho referred to the Governmont, and that ns tho Sbato Coal Department enme into competition with long-ostablishod businesses, this Oommittce recommuiids that tlio State Coal Departments bo put on exactly the same footing as privately-ownod concerns, according to the royalties for charges, dues, rates, taxes, etc., and tho .malting of reasonable) profit, and that, especially regarding tho sale of screened coal, small consumers shall receive proferonco. In reply to Mr. Jenningn, who drew attention to the alleged close corporation maintained by the Prows Association, the Premier yesterday snid thftt nothing could be done this session. Ho understood, however, that several journalists in New Zealand and Australia advocated an independent cable service, which lie I bought Might he provided by the Pacific Cable Company. He hoped to bo able to do something noxt year by means of inveßtigations of a Parliamentary Committee.