POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4135, 23 October 1884, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[by telegraph.]

(From our Special Correspondent.)

Wellington, This day. The whole of the time in the House of -Representatives yesterday afternoon Avas spent in the preliminary business, and in clearing off from the order paper measures of no groat public interest, the chief of the hitter, being the Wcstland Education District Sub-diA-ision Bill, designed to settle the troubles of that vexed education territory, find the details of tho police offences Bill, which was further considered in committee. In the early part of the afternoon Mr Peacock read a telegram from Auckland, showing that there is already there a manufactory of binding tAvino, Avhieh has already sold 180 tons of the article, besides converting it into rope : 20 tons of twine imported into Dunedin avus re-shipped to Auckland on account of its inferior quality. In reply to Mr Smith Mr Stout, as Post-master-General, said that he would place a small sum on the estimates as overtime payment for the telegraphist and postmaster Avhose office ham's had recently been increased.

Mr Holmes gave notice that he will bring in a bill for disfranchising Wellington and tho district for five miles round it, on the ground that that city is the seat of Government.

Mr Seddon. called attention to tho paucity of West Coast representation in the Legislative Council there being only two members belonging to that district. Dr. Duncan asked the Colonial Treasurer if he Avill place a sum on the estimates to recoup the Kurow deferred payment settlers tho amount leviable as a railway tax for the Duntroon and Hakateremea Railway, without their kiiOAvledgo or consent. The Premier said it was undoubtedly a bad case as the settlers wero induced to buy land at the time on the supposition that the line avus to be an ordinary Government lino, and now if they Avere rated at 2s or 3s iv the £ on their rental they Avould bo ruined, but the resolution of which ho had given notice for purchasing this Avith other railways, Avould, if carried, give an opportunity for making arrangements regarding such alarms as theirs.

This evening the North Island Trunk Railway line central route was proposed by tho Minister of Public Works opposed by Messrs Montgomery and Buckland, and supported by Dr. Newman and Mr Fergus. The discussion is proceeding. Mr. Ormond asked yesterday in the House of Representatives if the Government will consider the advisability of removing the Lunatic Asylum at Napier from the present unsuitable place to the site and buildings known as the Quarantine station, Park's Island. In reply Mr. Tole said that already he had written to tho authorities of tho Asylum to provide more suitable accommodation for the patients at Napier. In reply to Mr. Locke the Premier said that ho could not promise to establish a Avcekly mail between Clyde aud Gisborne as there Avas already communication between Clyde and Napier every week and thence oil by sea, the expense of an overland mail Avould be large and the number of letters would not warrant it.

Mr. Smith Avill ask the Postmaster-Gen-eral if he Avill put a sum on the supplementary estimates so as to give a small increase of salary to those country telegraphists and jiost mas tors avlio have had their hours of duty increased by the lately issuod regulation by Avhieh these offices are kept open from 7 to 8 p.m.