POLITICAL GOSSIP. Wellington, October 2. Railway Sleepers.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 70, 4 October 1884, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP. Wellington, October 2. Railway Sleepers.

Mn Capmav is supporting hi^ contention for the use of puiiri sieepei.-> by the following Jigmos from a icturn made last year by jVlr Mitchelsoi). The letiun in question showed that in IS7I there were 1,087,383 plcopers on lailwnyb cons-feting of matai, totara, birch, kauu, manuka, and puiiii, the produce of Kow Zealand; blue gum, jarrah, Oregon pine, redwood and iron bark imported from Australia. During a pcnod ot three years, 20(5, 44S sleepers weie removed from tho lines, but that lot did not include a simile puiiri deeper, although theuo are 11.000 on the line?. On the oiher hand, out of 43,022 imported Oregon pine bleepera used in three years, '22,271, or 51 per cent., had to be roplaced. ]\Jr Cadman admits that iron bark and jarrah coino next to puriri in durability, but that the price at which the bost kauri, birch, and totara, with only por contages of loss of 4, 2, S, 1, and 5.4 respectively could be obtained, must make them as cheap as, if not much cheaper than, imported woods.

Discreditable Auckland Petitions. I am told that Auckland petitions are looked upon with disfavour among membors, and the bad name which they are gaining prejudices the more deserving cases.

A Job for the Firo Brigades. Mr Seclclon is endeavouring to induco tho Government to place a sum on the Estimates to dofray the cost of extinguishing the fires which for the last fiftoon years have been consuming the coal deposits at Ten Mile Ceeek. A facetious member suggests that the proposed intorprovincial contosts of Firo Brigades should be hold on the spot, and that they should be offerod a substantial bonus to " douse the glim " in tho bowols of the earth, I recommend tho suggestion to Superintendent Hughes.

Deficiency Bills and Inscribed Stocky A return has been submitted of the deficiency bills and inscribed stock in circulation. It shows that tho total amount is L 1,040,000., 040,000. The deficiency bills issued under tho Public Revenue Act are as follow: — Government Insurance, L 124,60 0; General Post-office, L 51,300; Commissioners of Public Debt Sinking Fund, L 9,10 0; Public Trusteo, L 13,00 0; Bank of New Zealand, L 200,000. Under the Public Revonues Act : — Government Insurance, L 200,000; General Post-office, L 200,000. Stock issued under Colonial Inscribed Stock, L 250.000. All theso aro sold with the exception of L 200,000 paid into tho Bank of New Zealand.

West Coast Squabbles. The jealousy which has been excited between the West Coast Goldfields members appears to bo developing into a deadly feud between Messrs Guinness and Seddon. They had another smart passage-at-arms on Tuesday afternoon, when the childish spectacle was witnessed of one member accusing tho other of mendacity, and each calling on other members to bear out the truth of his 9BWrtions» Mr Brown, for instance, as-

Kirod the J louse that what Mr Gumness said was correct, while Mr Fyke, called upon by Mr Beddon, retorted " No, it, isn't ; and then the House was treated to some of the schoolgirl " Yes, it is," and "No, it ish t, business. It transpired during the course ot the discussion thai, wmie of them aie augmenting their houoiaiiums by acting as special corresi undents for various news paper.* in their respective clistnet*. it is said that the leal bouo of contention^ between the West Coast members is the Minoa porotolio.

More Jobbery Alleged. Borne strange disclosures have been made in connection with the amounts paid to county councils in respect of rates on Grown lancks for the hi*t two yoars. It appears from roturns laid before the Bouse that the counties of Groy and Buller received bincc the Act camo into operation the enormoiiH proportion of £20,000 out of a total payment of i"3r>,ooo. Tho Crown lands in those counties appear to have boon valued at not moro than one million pounds, on ay Inch a rate of three halfpence was paid, while in all other cases only three farthings allowed by the Act was paid. The counties of Lako and Vincent, which are next to Grey, and include great tiacts of the same kind of country, chiefly heavy bush, received only a few hundred pound*, whilo tho North Island districts iared vory badly. Those revelations have created quite a sensation, and the whole question is to bo brought up in tho House. It is assorted that these largo payments wore tho price of the support accordod to Government by tho members for tho districts benefittod.

Cost of a Public Inquiry. It appears irom a return laid before tlio House that Dunodin Gaol inquiry last year cost the colony L 729, of which the lareo proportion was expended in travelling

expenses. Public Works for the East Coast. I am informed that the Commission appointed to inquire into the East Coast grievances are framing a report highly satisfactory to the district in question. They find that the allegations in the petitions aro pioved, and that the district has been badly neglected. Their report will be in favour of the haibour woikb, and uill recommend Covornment to expend money in tho district, and open up lands for settlement. This is one of the matters which Mr W. L. Kees has been promoting. A large number of petitions against any alteration in the Education Act continue to arrive from all paits of the colony. There is now, however, no danger of any alteration being made in the Act during the present session. The Licencing Act appears to be almo*t quite ;h safe. Thi) bill amending (he Lotteries Act was again on the Order Paper, but wan not reached last night. The Waikato Confiscated Lands Bill, uhU-h has been introduced by Hon. l\lr JJallancc, mcioly piovides lor the extension of the Waikato 'Confiscated Land Act for a further period of two years, it has passed its Ih -;t stage.

Thames Water Dispute. Copies ot a of lengthy resolutions parsed by the Thames Borough Council against Spencer's Water Right Bill were circulated amongst the members yestorday afternoon. The' Borough Council contend lhat the water for tho town supply was diverted before Spencer bought the property. Tho bill is nearly at tho bottom of tho 'Older I 'a pur, and seeing it has not parsed the second reading, yet its chances aro very poor indeed.

Press of Business. Members have again settled dow n into the dull groove oi hard work, and prolonged and uninteresting bitting* aio the oicler of the day. There are no new developments of the .situation, and nothing of consequence likely to arise until the Public Woiks statement comes doA\n. Members continuo to pile on woik, and although the Older Paper i*> daily relieved to a certain extent, fresh notice- 1 , which are scarcely likely to be reached this session, continue to be added.

The Discovery of Gold at Thames. W. A. Hunt, ot Shotover celebrity, is in Wellington just ncn\ for the purpose of promoting a claim on behalf ot the Shotover party tor compensation tor the discovery of oold at Thames. Lie w ill present a petition to the llou-o on the subject, the amount claimed lic-iii" iT),000. Nothing has been doi cm the matter far.

North Island Railway Route. The only new uitne&s to lie examined by the Railway Uoute Commission i& Mr Wilkinson, who is understood to be on his wayhorn Aucklnnd now. jue beinu iia ailed and examined as to a technio.il point. Mr Knorpp -was befoie the Conuni— ion jc-toulay, but his ovidonco was of a technical character, and unimpoit.ani. Unlo.s rapid pro^icss is made, the ic])orl can scarcely l>e ready for Fnday. Enfranchising tho Armed Constabulary. The ictnt-al of CJo\einmont to extend the franchise to the members of the Aimed Cont-tabuhuy has not damped the ardour of ]\Jr Guinnchh to redrew thi.s grievance of "the force." He is pieparing a bill, intended to repeal .section 2G of the Armed Constabulary Act, which prohibits members of the Armed Constabulary and police forces from voting for the election of members to the House.

More Petitions. William Henry Seeds, one of the original Albertland settlers, is petitioning the House for his land order, which was refused to him when he first came out on tho ground that ho was a clerk. The only other Auckland petitions yesterday were in reference to the Education and Licensing Acts.

Mr Seddon Bids for Office. Mr Seddon appears to have set his mind on tho portfolio of Mines, and loses no opportunity to parade his qualification for the position. He takes part in every debate \\ Inch in the slightest degree relates to mines, and yesterday went out of his way to road the Houso a long dissertation by nobody knows who?, on the duties of a Minister of Mines. His object was only too clearly appaient, and -when he had concluded there was barely a quorum in the House.

Cornish Fishermen for Now Zealand. Mr Hamlin has been endeavouring to induco Government to introduce to the colony from Cornwall a number of Mount's Bay fishermen for the purpose of establishing fisheries on our coast. He has hoard from a friend of his that tho fisheries on the coast in question have become poor, and the fishermen are anxious to find a new field for their labours. Government decline to take special steps in tho direction indicated, but say that when nominated immigration is resumed, some of these fishermen might be nominated by Government.

Roads Through Crown Lands. An interesting return is being laid on the table of the House showing the allocation of moneys for roads to open up Crown lands during the last five years. The totals are as follow : — Auckland, £79,720 ; Taranaki, £27,601; Hawke'sßay, Cl 1,165; Wellington, £36,347 ; Nelson, £25,432 ; Marlborough, £7,602; Westland, £29,941; Canterbury, £14,052 ; Otago and Southland, £45,266. Total, £277,081.

Auckland Lock Hospital. Mr J. W. Thompson intends to ask the Government to-day whether they intend to

take over the Lock Hospital at Auckland f-o as to relieve the ratepayers of the cost, and place ii in the name position as the Christchurch Hospital.

New Bills. Notice has been given of the following new bills : -Sir George Grey, bill to provide that Judges of the Supreme Court shall henceforth be appointed for the terra of iivo years, and no longer ; Mr Guinness, Bill to Amend the Armed Constabulary Act, 18b7 ; Sir J. lias Vogel, Life Assurance Policies Bill; Sir Julius Vogel, Bill to Make rrovision for the Botter Management of the Coal Exporting Ports of the Colony.

A Puriri Reserve. Mr Humlin intends to ask Government whether they will purchase, or cause to be purchased, in Pukekohe or Waiuku districts, within easy access of the railway, a block or blocks of land, well sheltered, and suitable for tho growth of puriri, for the purpo.se of forming a large plantation of this most valuable timber.

Cost of Members' Excursions. An outcry has been raised here against the expense to w hich the colony is being put by the weekly excursions of members. The Government organ, in explanation, says the only cost to the country is that of the coal consumed by the steamer. The popular impression that Government finds excursionists free living on board the Hinomoa is incorrect; all passengers by her pay the providore for all they eat or drink,

Railway Passes to Newspapers. Mr Macandrew intends to ask the Minister for Public Works whether it is the intention of Government to restore free railway passes to newspapers published within the colony, under such restrictions as will prevent any abuse of the privilege.

Vagrants in Auckland Gaol. Mr Moss to-day called the attention of Government to the case of Elizabeth Docherty, aged 83, who, innocent of crime, and in her dotage, was committed to the Auckland Gaol for vagrancy on the 22nd July, ISS4, and is still kept in prison because there is no other place in which she can be received ; also to the ca&e of Margaret Kami, aged 63, who died in prison in Auckland under similar circumstances on the 7th March ; and he asked whether they will cause proper provision for such ca^es to be made for tho tuture out of the grants for charitable aid.

A Goldfields Dispute. That Kauaeranga claim, in which Rolleston and others pray for relief, is again before the Goldiiolds Committee. They took up part ot the block under miners' rights when Government proclaimed it a goldtield. Since then Government has acquired Kauaeranga, but cut out this and other portions from their purchase. The Maoris leased the portions as omitted to certain people in Auckland, and the idea now appears to bo to get Government to buy out both the leaseholders' right and the native freehold, and hand over the land to Rolleston. It is difficult to get at all the facts of the claim, as the proceedings of select committees are private, but the above are the main points as far as I have been able to glean them. The following decision has been arrived at by the Committee to which the case was referred :—" The Committee find they are unable to take all the evidence they ■would wish without entailing considerable expense in bringing the necessary witnesses from the Thames district. The petition is referred to Government, with a recommendation that the Warden be instructed to take evidence and inquire into the merits of the case, and report thereon to Government. The Committee would alse urge upon Government the advisability of obtaining the freehold of the land."

Opening the King Country. Previous telegrams have informed your readers that negotiations were proceeding with Wahanui ior the opening of the King Country. I am now given to understand that it is unlikely that anything definite will dc done in the matter until the close of the session. The reason is obvious. Government fear opposition to their arrangements, and they are exceedingly careful not to jeopardise their position in any way.

Railway Tariff Anomalies. A lemarkable instance of the unfairness of the piesent railway tariff has been brought under the notoce of Government by one of the Clnistchureh members. It appears that the chaige for carrying- biscuits in bags is only about one - third of that charged for the carnage of biscuits in cases. The Minister of the Department has piomiaod to consider this and other anomalies ox the tariff with a view to improvements.

Reports on Petitions. T~~ - > The following decisions on petitions have been amved at by the Committee: -Ho Tireli Tapihano — That the question of amount of compensation (if any be justly due) be ret erred to Government for further consideration, and for early settlement on some equitable principle ; Wm. George Garrard, praying ior a new trial in the case brought by Mr Cotter, or compensation — Referred to Government for consideration ; John Dunn, formerly senior warden in Mount Eden Gaol — Committee recommend his claim for assistance to the favourable consideration of Government.

•♦When the Swallows Homeward Ply." Quite a number of people who have been promoting the interests of local bodies in various parts of the colony are taking their departure for their respective homes. Mr Brodie, the Thames sturdy beggar, hopes to proceed North this week. He has attended to a largo numbor of grievances of his district during his stay, and has lobbied a ,bill providing for the refund of L 7,000 of county revenue with considerable success. Mr Adam Porter also returns this week or next, the whole of the evidence in connection with his petition for L 5,000 reward for the discovery of gold at Te Aroha having been taken.

More West Coast Favouritism. The strong feeling aroused by the discovery of the favouritism shown to the West Coast districts in the public expenditure has been heightened by a return laid on the table yesterday. This shows the expenditure on the harbour of Grey mouth L 173 ,182, and liabilities to the extent of L 3,478 ; on Hokitika, L 4,300 ; and on Westport, L13,0-i7. A second return shows the following expenditure on railways connected with the same ports :— Westport (Ngakawau), L206,99i ; Greymouth' (Nelson Creek), L182 ) 268 ; Hokitika (Greymouth), L 29,094. The approximate expenditure on exploration and development of coal measures was L 7,700. The proved extent of the Buller field was one hundred and live million tons, and of Grey one hundred and two million tons.

Abolition of Grand Juries. Sir George Grey's bill abolishing grand juries provides that for the purpose of bringing criminal cases under the cognisance of the Court in which criminal cases arc •♦ i be tried, the indictment shall b< oigned by the Attorney -General or Solicitor-General of the colony, or by the Crown Prosecutor of the district in which the Court i» situated, and such indictment, so signed, shall be as valid and effectual in all respects as an indictment heretofore pre.i sented by the Grpnd Jury,