POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4110, 23 September 1884, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

IBY TELEGEAPH.]

(From our. Special Correspondent.) Wellington, This day.

Mr. Locke's bill amending the Native Lands Frauds Prevention and Stamps Duties Acts is not likely to pass, being regarded as a measure that should not have been brought in by a private member, being of the nature of a "policy bill for bursting up Maori estates. The North Island Main Trunk Railway Committee continued taking evidence yesterday and examined Mr. Northcroft, R.M., Waikato, Mr, Cascns, surveyor, and Mr. Recson. Tho evidence was not made public, but it is thought that these witnesses arc in favor of "the Taranaki lino. The chief Wahanui is of opinion that the line should go by way of Tarauaki, but before giving his consent requires to know how his rights arc to be preserved, and what concessions he is to receive. The bulk of tho testimony, however, is in favor of the central route, it being reported that b to 3 will go that way. It is understood that tho Government Insurance Bill will give power to tho board of management to do business outside the colony, which the Department has no power to do now. Major Atkinson is in favor of this extension.

The Wc.-stport and Grcymouth Harbor Bill proposes, it is understood, to give power to the respective Harbor Boards to borrow half a million sterling for the improvement of the harbors, the loans to be secured on the royalties of tho coal fields. Dr. Fisher's appointment, though made apparently without tho knowledge of Ministers, cannot now bo altered. It scums to have been made by the Under-Secretary as one that would meet the circumstances of the case without consulting tho Government or taking tho recommendation of Dr. Grabham, who, it is understood, reported favorably on Dr. Key worth's application. The Harbor bill is now in the Local Bills Committee of the Upper House. The joint Sheep and Rabbits Committee have discovered that the sum of £15,000 in excess of the amount at the of the Department have been spent during the past year in an irregular manner, but whence the amount was obtained has not been ascertained. The committee have appointed a sub-committee to examine the books of the Department and demand the production of vouchers. It is stated that the committee will report recommending the dismissal of the whole Department, with a view to reorganisation.