POLITICAL GOSSIP. (BY TELEGRAPH-STAR REPORTER.)

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 390, 3 August 1889, Page 5

POLITICAL GOSSIP. (BY TELEGRAPH-STAR REPORTER.)

"Wfllini ton, July 30. TRIENNIAL LICENSING B]LL. Tiijs measure has passed through all its stages in the Upper Chamber and only awaits the signature of the Governor to pass into law.

VOLUNTEER INQUIRY. Mr Fergus tells me evidence of the volunteer inquiry is ready for printing if necessary. TSo decision has been arrived afc y et - . _,_

MR HOLDSHIP. Mr G. Holdship is ac present in Wellington on business. He tells me that when finished lie will 20 on down South.

CHRISTIE^YARD PETITION. A constitutional point of some interest and importance is likely to aiise in connection with Christie's petition again&t Judge W^rd, and the famous correspondence which has aiisen out of it. The petition has been presented co Parliament, and each Houae has referred it in the ordinary course to the Petitions Committee. It is contended, however, that it is contrary to precedent, as all petitions impugning the charactei, or the administration of justice, of a judge should be dealt with exceptionally. They should come through the Government and should not be laid upon the table unless the Government is of opinion that they disclose facts which prima facie would justify and render necessary the removal of the judge. This we believe is the rule laid down by Todd and other constitutional writers.

DUNEDIN EXHIBITION. The Bill dealing with street closing for the Dunedin Exhibition has been committed and passed in the Upper Chamber. The local option clause, for which Mr Goldie had fought so well, was struck out. In lieu thereof the following words were substituted, "and &uch license may be transferred in the same manner as publicans' licenses granted under the Licensing Act, 1831." A. new clause was added to the Bill making the {shareholders or those connected Avith the Exhibition Company eligible to serve on the Licensing Committees. The amended Bill will now go back to the Lower House, and it i& expected will pass after some opposition by the temperance party.