POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3745, 17 July 1883, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[by telegraph.]

[VROJI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, This day,

It is generally understood hero that in answer to the question of Mr Fish, the Government will say that they have decided to pay the losses caused by the fire at the goods shed at Dunedin last month. There is a warm article in last night's Post on the insurance report of the Government. What that article does not state is that one-half the premiums at a rate of a little over two pounds per cent, of the new business of last year were not sufficient to pay the Wellington expenses, but what it does state is that the extravagance shown in the report holds out but slightencouragement to believe that the big bonuses promised will be realised if things continue that way. Last night tho House was chiefly occupied with the Gold Duty Abolition Bill. This is one of our friends whom we are accustomed to sec come up annually only to be slaughtered by a small majority. The bill last night passed its second reading, and was referred to the Gold fields Committee.

To-day the first order is the Native Land Company's Bill. Public interest here at present is absorbed in the Hunt versus Gordon case, which the local papers arc both fully reporting. The Dunedin gaol enquiry, which was commenced at Mount Cook prison yesterday, brought out some revelations which are apparently not destined to find their way into print till all interest in tho matter is dead.