NEWS AND' NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1527, 24 August 1912, Page 6

NEWS AND' NOTES.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. DETAILS 'WANTED. Tho Public Accounts Committee yesterday reported further upon tho Consolidated Fund Estimates, and recommended tJmfe various classes Iμ allowed to proceed. They also recommended that tho Government supply a moro detailed account with regard to the items of. tho Scenery Preservation Account. Other recommendations were:— (1) For a return shoeing tho total expenditure on the township of Kuuanga. i'his township is in tho vicinity of one of the State coal-mines. (2) A return showing details of the total expenditure incurred in connection witn tho Itoubnix Exhibition, France. (3) A return showing details of the total expenditure incurred by the Dominion In connection with trade representatives and oversea agents, Department of Agriculture, and industries and commerce;, (•1) Full details in connection with the purchase and fencing on Runanga No'. 1 A Block. This is the block of land purchased by Mr. G. W. Russell, M.P., and under the heading Lands and Survey Department niiseclTaneous services, an item JCGSO appears. (5) A return showing the expenditure year by year on the subsidised WangamiiPipiriki steamer servico sinco its establishment, (G) That tho Minister for Marino bo recommended to look into the item "Acetone light for Bear liock, .£320," beforepayment. PRINTING BY PRIVATE FIRMS. A belated return asked for by Sir. Arnold, when ho was a memlwr of Parliament, was presented to Parliament yesterday. It sots out amount's paid to private firms for printing during a period of fivo years by different Departments. Tho principal totals under the heading, Railways Department, are: Coulls, Culling and Co., .£7749; Whitcombe and Tombs, JC2653; Auckland "Star," .£2159; W. Craig nnd Co., «£557; Groymouth "Evening Star," JEO32'; "Evening Post," .£423; Grey River "Argus," «£2OD; "Southland Times," .£527; A. D.Willis and Co., .£921. The Post Office in tho fivo years paid Coulls, Culling and Co., .£0772. AGRICULTURAL IMMIGRANTS. ' Mr. G. Anderson, M.P., has intimated that he will ask tho Minister for Immigration to afford tho same facilities'for theimmigration of agricultural workers to this country as are now afforded for the 'immigration of domestic servants. In an appended note,.Mr. Anderson, states that though farmers are calling out for ngricultural labourers, tho lowest rato at which these people could como to New Zealand was .£B, whereas (ho lowest fare for domestic servants was £2 lGs. PETITIONS. A number of petitions were reported upon in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Education Committee recommended for favourable consideration the request of Geo. Klackett, of Raglan, Auckland, for admission to tho benefits of tho Teachers' Superannuation Fund. No reeomniendatioii was made regarding tho petition of Louisa. Callcot, of Christchuvch, for compassionate allowance on account of her late husband's services in the Agricultural Department. Tho Petitions Committee made no rocommendation on tho petition of John Rendall and nine others, asking jtliat certain lands bo included in the County of Waikouaiti, and excluded from the borough of that name. No recommendation wns made on tho petition of Emma Lascclles Mellsop, of Devonport, Auckland, asking to ho placed on tho list of those receiving superannuation. . The petition of Win. Lingard, of Wellington, for compensation or pension for infirmity incurred while a member of'tho New Zealand military forces, was referred to the Government for favourable consideration. On tho petition of Geo. Cook, of New Plymouth, praying for compensation for military services rendered, the Petitions Committee reported recommending it to J the Government for consideration.