POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4114, 27 September 1884, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[by telegkaph.l

(Fkom our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, This day. Parliament was in a very sleepy condition yesterday afternoon, the entertainment provided being the Mortgages Release Extension Bill" and the Local Courts Bill, both of which productions arc pieces of literature of the kind that ought to be found in every gentleman's library, and which therefore are never found in any gentleman's hands. Almost the only discussion of any interest was on a motion of Mr Shrimski's for the printing of some returns respecting the Civil Service. The Premier pointed out that the printing would bo expensive, and suggested that the returns should be forwarded to the Printing Committee, and the matter left to them to decide. Mr Hurst remarked that tho cost of printing these returns every session amounted from £400 to £500 and Mr Macandrew said that one return alone printed last year cost over £600, and when it was finished not six people ever read through it. Eventually the motion was withdrawn. Mr Richardson asked for an extension of time for the North Island Railway Committee for a week.

In answer to Mr Bryce, tho Premier was understood to say that he would announce when the Public Works statement would be made that evening. The announcement, however, has not yet been made. It is evident that the Opposition are disheartened at their want of success, and see little ahance of another groat fight this session on anything like oven terms. They relied on tho financial statement to help them, and it has not done so in the least. On the other hand, the Government have no stimulus to work hard, and want to finish the business of tho year as soon as possible. I am told on the best authority that tho session will close in about a month.

Last evening there were several brief but fairly lively discussions. Tho poor man's right to his body after he is dead was advocated by Mr Shrimski when the Anatomy Bill was on, and Mr Steward's School Committees Bill, which was opposed by the Premier on the ground of the inadvisability of tinkering with the Education Act, was carried by 34 to 32. The Gaming and Lotteries" Act Amendment Bill, brought forward by Mr Fitzhorbert, gave occasion to an interesting discussion, in which Mr Hobbs defended the cause of some morals indignantly, and the Premier moderately and sensibly. The second reading was carried, however, by a majority of 9, the lovers of small sweeps being unwilling that their little pleasures should be interfered with.

In the Legislative Council yesterday tho report on the Napier Harbor Board Bill was laid on the table and made an order of tho day for Tuesday noxt.