NOTES & JOTTINGS. I

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1848, 6 September 1913, Page 6

NOTES & JOTTINGS. I

POINTS ON THE ESTIMATES, Mr. Russell (to tlie Hon. W. H. Herries): "Xlic lion. gentleman is a bigger 'taihoa,' if possiblo, than his predecessor !" "Tho lion, member (Mr. C. K. Wilson) is always in a joy. 'Taumarunui' means shadow or joy."—Mr. 0. Parata, M.l\ Tho Native Minister expressed regret in tho House last night tit tho fact that thoNativo Land Court Judges wore "eating their heads off," because tlio Health Department forbado assemblages of Natives during tho continuance of the smallpox epidemic. There was nothing, tho Minister stated, for tho judges to do. "What about noxious weeds on Native lands?" said a Taranaki member suggestively. Past and present Ministers have some pleasant exchanges in tlio. House. Last evening Mr. Herries expressed regret that Mr. Mac Donald, when Minister for Public Works and Native Minister, had not relieved him of tho task of providing better Native Department accommodation 'at Auckland. Mr. Mac Donald: "Unfortunately you relieved me." Mr. Herries: "The hon. gentleman is quite right, tho position is bad." (Laughter.) "The hon. gentleman is all volume of sound and no quality."—Mr. F. M. Smith on Mr. Russell. The Hon. W. H. Herries was accused by Mr. Russell in tho House of Representatives last evening of being "the thinnest-skinned Minister in tho House." "I thought I had a hide lilw a rhinoceroß," said tho Minister laughing. "I have been earning my own living for the last 25 .years. I don't think many Natives can say that." —Mr. C. Parata, M.P. The Native Mintidter mentioned in the House last evening that he contemplated appointing Native land registrars in tho different districts so as t-o relieve tho pressure in Auckland and other centres. "I hear an intelligent laugh on my left," said Mr. G W. Russell last evening; "to whom does it belong?" A roenibe.r: "Parnell." Mr. Dickson: "You won't hear it on your right!"