POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2624, 4 September 1882, Page 4

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

PBy Telbqbaph.J fIBOM THE “ PRESS.”J WELLINGTON, September 3. The public work* estimates have been undergoing considerable revision in the Cabinet, but I fancy they received their final overhaul last night, and will most likely be in the hands of members to-morrow. There ' has been a good deal of grumbling at the delay in bringing them down, but under the peculiar circumstances of this session that could not well be avoided. A good deal of fighting is still expected over the various items, notwithstanding that many changes have been made with the view of contenting everybody so far as possible. The suggestions made by the different deputations which have waited on the Government from time to time have, I believe, been adopted to as great on extant as has been found practicable with the limited funds which are available for desired works costing twice the amount, but of course there will inevitably be some discontent. Somebody must be dissatisfied, but I think the majority will give Ministers credit for doing their best with the comparatively small sum at their disposal. —lt it expected that the Public Works Esti mates will be got through in one day (or night’s) sittings. The Supplementary Estimates have not yet made their appearance, but are well in hand, and will most likely be distributed about Tuesday or Wednesday next.

The talk is still about finishing the session hy the end of the current week, and judging bom the railway speed at which the business was put through last week, this seems by no means impossible, provided no special delay occurs on the part of the Legislative Council, but, as I intimated recently, this may yet coma about, as the Legislative Councillors, while unwilling to do anything bearing an aspect of hostility to the other chamber, nevertheless express their determination to give duo consideration to the Bills sent up, and not to rash them through in the indiscriminate manner which the Lower House too often adopts towards the close of a session. It must be confessed there are ample materials for considerable fighting among the Lords in the batch of Bills lately forwarded to them from the representative branch of the Legislature. The Local Government Bills certainly are going through the latter with astonishing celerity, and really bid fair to reach the Statute Book at last, notwithstanding the objection raised by Southern members that they will suit the North Island but not the South. This view has been strenuously urged by tome members on Major Atkinson, who, however, retorted that they only think so because they have not taken the trouble to wad or understand bis Bills. At any rate there is a strong portion favorable to the Sills, which are going through as swiftly as their most ardent supporters could wish. I see the wild story about Mr Walter Johnston resigning the Fublio Works portfolio in favor of Mr Wright is still harped on by some papers. I can only My that I have the strongest reason to believe it just as baseless as ever. l-3fes satisfied that Mr Johnston has no pre- " sent intention either of resigning or of going to England (which latter is the reason put forth as his alleged ground of contemplated resignation), and that on the contrary he is likely to retain that portfolio whoever may fill the vacant seat in the Cabinet, for it must be remembered there is yet a vacancy to be filled up, without it being needful to create one by sending Mr Johnston to England, where his father (the Hon. John Johnston) now is, but whither the Hon. Walter has no idea of going yet awhile. As a matter of foot, I am assured that nothing has yet been done or discussed in the Cabinet respecting the vacant seat in the Ministry, and nothing is likely to be done in that matter till the recess. The Babbit Bill, as it passed the Legislative Council, provides for the oontinaons destruction of the rabbits, so that wherever rabbits are found steps can at once be enforced for their destruction without awaiting their increase to become so great as to be ruinous. It avoids levying a rabbit rate. being stringent, owners must keep up a continuous destruction of rabbits, the law providing that if they do not, the work will be done for them, and they will have to pay the cost. The Bill also provides for dealing with neglected or unowned blocks, hitherto an impossibility, and simplifies the services of notices, especially where more than one owner is interested m the land, while it also affords an equitable adjustment for the cost of destruction, as between landlord and tenant, on short lease. Farther it provides for the protection of the natural enemies of rabbits.