PARLIAMENTARY. From "Star" Reporter.) Wellington, July 14.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 282, 18 July 1888, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY. From " Star " Reporter. ) Wellington, July 14.

THE RIVAL MAIL SERVICES. The return printed ou the motion of Mr Peacock to-day, relative to the cost to the colony of dispatching via "Frisco all mail matter now sent, by direct route, shows the net monetary result of adopting such a course to be a profit of £14,754, the estimated receipts being £46,450, and the payments £31,696. On the other hand, if all mail matter now sent via San Francisco were sent by direct route on the present terms, it is estimated that a net. profit to the colony will be only .£2,585, the payments beinsj seb down at £43,382 and the receipts at £45,968.

PROPERTY TAX VALUATION. The startling statement is made in a letter received by Mr G oldie from a resident of Nortlicote that property tax valueis are paid proportionally on their valuations. While Mr Goldie is sceptical on this point lie is asking Government the terms on which ib is proposed to engage valuers for the triennial valuations.

THE TARIFF PASSED. The new tariff passed fche ordeal of the Legislative Council last evening, and was put through all the stages. Some further discussion took place on the motion for the 6econd reading. The Attovuey-Ueneral said if ib had been practical he would like to have sr en a freeorade policy, but in the present condition of the colony this was impossible.

VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS. There is no question that the village settlement scheme has been a pronounced success and even the Secretary of Crown Lands now bears testimony to the wisdom of that system ot settlement. He sajs the conditions weie made very favourable so as to encourage the unemployed of the towns to migrate to the country with the result that there are in all 975 holdings comprising a total area of 30,108 acies. Of these 476 holding's, 21,439 acres, are in the Auckland land Qbtrict alone, lepresenting about 1,400 persons who have been located in nineteen settlements, nearly all on the north of Auckland, a large proportion of whom, but for this scheme, could ne\erha\e letb the streets of the city. Mr lva% anagh, the steward of the Auckland Milage Homestead Settlement, reports that considerable progress has been made in the short time since the bettlements. were commenced. The advances on improvements up to the 31st March have been £11,673 4s 4d, and en road works and other expenses -pecial to the settlements about £10,148. The receipts in rent and interest aie i'7B9 ; the arrears £277.

AUCKLAND BUTTER. The butter manufactured by the Auckland Frozen Meat Company is attracting some notice in the South. The Legislative Council yesterday adopted a motion bj the Hon. J. Menziefe, ieqiv sting the Government to obtain some iniormation of the operations of the Company in their butler department and especially with regard to a shipment of this commodity to England.

ERROR IN THE TARIFF. However carefully the &checUile of the New Customs Duties may have been revised it is not yet free from en. or. An instance occurs on the very first page where the duty on bacon i& set down as 2cl ad i'alorem instead of per lb.

TAXING GUM-DIGGERS. Mr R. Thompson is certainly nob weakkneed in his hostility to the proposal to tax gum-diggeis. Ho say* the tax would have a most pernicious effect on the North and he will obstruct the Land Bill at ever} stage.

SCAB Ds SHEEP. 1 learn from the Minister of Linda that last night's " Ga/ette ' contains a li-.t ot infected flocks in the recently diseased districts in the Koith, and the area of each infected mn, The Minister says piompt steps ha\e been taken to deal with the outbreak and he considers by this time ihe disease bhould be practically suppressed.

REFRACTORY ORES. Mr Peacock has at last succeeded m his efforts to induce the Go~\ eminent to otter a bonus foi the treatment of refractory ore&. The Minister of Mines is now pieparmg conditions under which the bonus, which he says will be of fair amount, i» to be ofiei ed These conditions have to be submitted to the Cabinet for approwil before they are made known.

THE TRUXK RAILWAY SURVEY. I believe the burveyor© of the proposed new route for the Jsorth Island railway have progressed so satisfactorily that they expect to conclude their work in October. The suivey will co&t t'8,500, which is less than the estimate.

RETRENCHMENT. The saving of £1,900 odd made in the railway department recently, is- entirely from dismissals. It is f-aid that the reduction of wages and amalgamations in the railway department amII pave a further sum of £40,000.

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. An adjourned meeting of the Bible-in. schools party was held to-day. In the absence of Mr Denzies the Hon. Mr Reynolds was voted to the chair. There weie also present: Messrs Tanner, Allen, Fish, Ross Graham, Buxton and Joyce. Several hon. members sympathi&ing with the movement were unable to be present. Mr Tanner communicated some important infoimation which he had received from the London School Board and the Education Department of New South Wales He also announced his intention of moving the following amendment to Mr Fulton's motion in favour of Bible reading : — " That in the interests of morality, the Education Act should be so amended as to permit of school committees allowing Scripture le&rfons to be given ■within school hour&, with a time-table and. conscience clause. The .syllabus of Bible instruction to be similar to that in use in the Board schools of England, the Irish national schools, the schools of the London School Board and the public schools of New South Wales." The meeting adjourned till Tuesday next.

PORTFOLIO OF MINES. There is some talk of the portfolio of Mines being handed over to Mr Fergus during the recess. Some of the goldfield& members are dissatisfied with Mr Kichardson's control of the department.

MR WITHY'S MOTION. Supply will not come on again till next week, bub meanwhile the feeling of members is being thoroughly sounded with respect to Mr Wifchy'& amendment, which is now certain to be defeated Persistent efforts are being made to get him to withdraw it with a view to moving when the estimates are under consideration that one class, say railways, be reduced by £1,000. The carrying of such a resolution would be an indication to the Government of the feeling of the Committee. Mr Withy seems obdurate, and declares his intention of standing by his amendment.