PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2012, 5 August 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

fB? Telegeaph.]

' [bbom oub own cobbesfondbnt.] WELLINGTON, August 4. Expectation was on tip toe all day in regard to ths Publio Works Statement, which the Premier last night had announoed would be delivered by Mr Oliver this evening. There was brisk demand for speaker's gallery tickets, and crowded galleries were to be the order of the night. It transpired, however, during the day that various hindrances had occurred which would prevent the delivery of the statement to-night, and that it will not be brought down till Friday night, but will almost certainly be delivered then. It is no secret that the great and almost insuperable difficulty experienced has been to make even the faintest attempt to satisfy the clamorous demands of all parts of the colony, with the small remaining balance of the loan. As Mr Oliver pithily put it in conversation with me to-day, " we have so very liale butter left and so many slices of bread to spread it over." What with the agitations now going on in the lobbies for the Otago Central, Canterbury Interior, Auckland and Thames, Nelson and Greymouth, and Wellington-Poxton lines, Ministers have more than their work cut out to avoid running headlong into a hornets' nest.

The two remaining Royal Commission re • ports are postponed as often bb the Public Works statement. As to tho Native Commission's third report, Sir D. Bell tells me this evening that the report is practically complete, and only awaiting correction of the final proofs, therefore it may be expected to-morrow. But I am not over sanguine, and shall not be surprised at further delay. Then, regarding the Locil Industries Commission report, which waß sont to the Government some days ago, I hecr that the printers have nearly finished that also, but it is not looked for yet. The Government received a telegram from Colonel Rsberte this afternoon, to the effect that tho usual quart ott of Native fencers were arrcoted today. The Hinemoa is expected to arrivo off Now Plymouth to-night, and will embark the prisoners to-morrow, leaving at once for Lyttelton direct, and conveying them for incarceration in tho gaol at that place. It appears that the work of retrenchment is going on. I understand that fifteen of the staff of the Publio Works Office have received notice that their services will be dispensed with at tho end of the month, and ten more are to be dispensed with in a like manner. According to the Publio Works Act, officers subject to its provisions are not entitled to any compensation. Despatches have been received by the Governor from the Secretary of State - (1.) Announcing that Mr Alfred Domett has been created O.M.G. (2) Intimating the Royal assent to the Property Assessment Act, 1879. (3.) Enclosing letters with reference to examinations for the Gilchrist Scholarship. This being the first of these examinations yet held in New Zealand, the Government are requested to have the examination held as early as possible, and will be responsible for the integrity of such examinations. A despatch has been received from Sir J. Vogel urging the colony to go in largely for the cultivation of beetroot, with a view to sugar manufacture, thus creating a new industry. Sir J. Vogel soye that he writes not as Agent-General, but as a colonist having a deep interest in New Zealand, and the subjact being one very suitable for reference to the Royal Commission on local industries. He concludes as follows : —_" I have noticed of late suoh a disposition to misconstrue the motives of those who aspire to he useful, that perhaps it is necessary that I should add that I am writing these remarks without ooncern with any one desiring to embark in the industry to which I refer, and with no present thoughts of doing so myself." The Cemeteries Bill just introduced by Mr Rolleston provides for the management of cemeteries, cemetery trusts, registration of burials, &o. It also prohibits burial in towns or places where there are moro than ten resident householders. It authorises the closing of cemeteries where necessary, with a proviso for husband and wifo, parent and ohild, brother or sister being buried in the same grave with the deoeased. £IOO is 'fixed as tho penalty for a burial contrary to the Act. Exhumation or removal is sanetioned under special circumstances. Section 62 authorises cremation as follows : " It shall be lawful for any person by will or deed, duly executed, to direct that his or her body shall after death be disposed of by burning tho same to ashes jnstead of by burial in the earth; and it shall be lawful for the executor or executors of suoh person to carry into effect such direction, provided that such burning shall be conducted in a manner which shall not create any publio or private nuisance. The following Acts are repealed—Auckland Burial Ground Aot 1871, Burial Ground Closing Act 1874, Cemeteries Management Act, 1877.