PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2002, 24 July 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[By Telbgbaph.]

[PBOM OTTB OWN COBBBSPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, July 23.

Contradictory rumoura have been flying about as to the probable date of the presentation of the final report promised by the Native Commission. It was stated in the lobbies to-day that this report would not be sent in until the Commissioners had paid another visit to the locality, and consequently that it was improbable that it would be presented this session. Sir F. Dillon Bell, however, informed me this evening that_ it is almost certain that the report will be in his Exoellency'B hands on Monday next. With reference to the report of the Railway Commission, I hear that it will not be a very lengthy one, not exoeeding above a dozen foolscap pages. The evidence, however, is very voluminous, and the printing of this has caused much delay. The tables and statistics to be appended to the complete report are not even yet ready, and are soarcely likely to be by the time the report is sent in. Colonel Pearce has just told me that the Commissioners hope, unless any unforeseen contingency should intervene, to agree upon the report and finally sign it to-morrow afternoon, so that it will be presented to the Governor either to-morrow night, or else on Monday at the farthest. Next Thursday or Friday is now indicated as the probable date for the delivery of Mr Oliver's Public Works Statement, but from stray hints dropped I do not now expect the statement before the following Tuesday. Mr Wilson arrived to-day to sit on the commission of inquiry to report on the printing office with Messrs Bain and DeLautour, M.H.R.'s. The return of the expenditure out of loan on the Weßt Coast of the Middle Island since the inauguration of the Public Works scheme to 31st March, 1880, shows : Immigration, £85,720 ; railways construction, £570,520 ; surveys, £16,680; roads, £249,500; water races, £263,500 ; public buildings, £17,060 ; miscellaneous publio works, £73,417: coal exportation, £7300; telegraphs, £35,500; lighthouses, £7600. Total expenditure, £1,328,122. A return of the petitions for and against the continuation of the bottle license laid on the table shows that eighteen petitions, comprising 1628 signatures, are in favor of retaining the bottle licenses. There were fifteen petitions from Otago, containing an aggregate of 1372 signatures, one from Canterbury with sixteen signatures, one from Nelson with 240 signatures. Only two petitions are against the retention of the bottle licenses, one from Otago with 1460 signatures, and one from Canterbury with 321 signatures, making a total against 1781. In aoino instances the same names appear on the petitions for and against. Mr Seymour, Chairman of Committees, has set an excellent example of self-denial to the House. He said that the increase of salary on the estimates wae neither asked no desired by him, and if voted he would not take it. Further if the House thought it necessary to reduce hia present salary he would cheerfully accept it. The statement was received with great cheering.