PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP. (By TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, August 21.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 396, 24 August 1889, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP. (By TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, August 21.

YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS. i There was a very formidable order paper presented yesterday when the House met ; bub splendid progress was made. Seventythree out ot nineby-four questions were cleared away, as well as a number of motions. I do not know whether the football match had anything to do with this ; b ( ut the fact remains that quite a small parliament of our legislators, including; some of the most talkative, journeyed to Newtown Park to see the natives play. The progress was eminently satisfactory, and clears the decks for a future day.

DECEASED HUSBAND'S BROTHER. In connection with the letters received by Auckland members about; having maruiage with deceased husband's brother legalised, of which I sent you word, Mr Lavvry has now tabled a question asking the Government whether they will legislate in that direction next session.

A TEMPERANCE QUESTION. Replying- to Mr Fulton yesterday, the Minister of Justice said that in all probability a Bill will be introduced next session giving ©fleet to the recent local option resolution in fayonr of giving the peoplo power by direct vote to prohibit tho sale of intoxicating liquors in the district in which they reside.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT. The scheme discussed by the sub-cotnmit-tee appointed by the Local Government Committee have so far gone in the direction of decentralisation, and thecreation of a smaller number of bodies than now exist ; with, of course, greatly extended functions. Another meeting of the General Couimittee*was held yesterday, at which, an interim report was brought up by the Chairman (Dr. Hodgkinson), on behalf of the subcommittee ; bat as the time at the disposal of members had necessarily been limited, owing to the length of the no-con hdence debate, it was in an incomplete iorm. After some discussion the Committee adjourned to a day to be fixed by tho Chairman.

COLONIAL RECIPROCITY. Questions relating to the proposed reciprocal tarilF treaty between the Australian colonies, were asked yesterday by Messrs Joyce and Brown. The Premier informed the hon. gentlemen that he would move in the matter whenever he saw a probability of doing any good ; but at present he was afraid that any action \\ ould have the effect of retarding the object in view. The matter could be talked over at the proposed conference between representatives of the colonies and Canada ; but as matters no.v stood, seeing that we have adopted a protective tariff, he did not see how we could object to our neighbours doing the same.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY. The urgent necessity of constructing a fire-proof building," to accommodate the General Assembly Library, which is the most valuable in the colony, is recognised by the Government, and they are now considering the question of ways and means : whether it would not be possible to place a sum of money on the supplementary estimates for the purpose.

AGE OF CONSENT. It is the intention of the Government to introduce at once a Bill giving effect to the recommendation of the Public Petitions Qommittee raising the age of protection for young females.

MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANY. Allusion was made by Mr Feldwick yesterday to the letter which is alleged to have been written to England by a Minister to the effect that the land to be handed to the Midland Kail way was worthless, which delayed the raising of the Company's capital. The Premier said no such letter as the one the hon. gentleman represented had been sent. Any letter that might have been sent by a Minister was one that was pertectly justified ?o iar as he could ascertain. No letter was written by any Minister that was in any way improper.

LOCAL BODIES' ACCOUNTS. A Bill has been prepared by the Govern" ment which they believe will prevent the repetition of the grave irregularities which exist in relation to local bodies' audits. Whether or not it will be pressed this session is nob stated.

JUDGE WARD. The Premier declined yesterday to give Mr Joyce any pledeje to refrain from action against Jndijje "Waul in his official relations with the Government, until the House has had an opportunity of considei'in^ the matter. Whatever action the Government may consider it necessary to take against any person will be taken.

INSPECTORS OF LICENSED HOUSES. If more suitable inspectors of licensed houses than the police officers can be found without increased expense, the Minister of Justice ha 3 promised Mr Fulton that he will employ them.

SCHOOL TEACHERS' RETIRING ALLOWANCES. School teachers will learn wibh satisfaction that the Government are of opinion that they should be brought under the provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act, 18S6, with regard to retiring allowances. The Minister of Education promised yesterday to work out a scheme for fche purpose during the recess.

TELEPHONE CHARGES. The reduction of the subscription to telephone exchanges cannot be entertained by the Government at present, u& the system is already as cheap or cheaper than any other in the world, and could nob be worked more cheaply. The Premier has, however, undertaken to carry out Mr Ward's suggestion that all important public offices where exchange* exist shall be connected with the exchanges.

SUBSIDISING PUBLTC LIBRARIES. The Minister for Education regrets that the Government are unable to grant any subsidy to public libraries this session. He informed Mr Moat yesterday that they wilJ probably make, some provision in that direction next year.

CABINET VACANCY. ' Mr Taylor 'asked his chaffing question yesterday as to whether it is true that the vacancy in the Cabinet created by Mr Fisher's resignation is about to be filled iip. The Premier blandly informed the hon. gentleman that as soon as the Government had made up their minds and selected their colleague they will announce the fact to the House. '''

CRIMINAL COURT OF APPEAL. The Minister of Justice assured Mr Feldwick yesterday that the proposal for the establishment 9t a Criminal Court' of Appeal is receiVinsr thh serious consideration of the Government ; and they 'hope to be Bible to take some stepsin the matter next session!

LETTERS FROM PRISON. Those who aro unfortunate enough to I have relatives or friends in durance vile will

be glad to learn that the Minister of Justice recognised , * the reasonableness of Mr Feldwick's suggestion that letters from within the prison walls should not in luture bear any mark distinguishing their source. The Minister stated yesterday that he saw no rea&on why the idea should not be acted upon. It soems that several persons who havo rolafcivea in prison havo lost their employment through the fact becoming known by letters received by them bearing the prison mark. - EMIGRANTS FROM NORWAY. A promise was (given by the Premier to Dr. Hodgkinson- yesterday that inquiries will bo made through the Agent-General as to the emigration from Noiway of a few women skillod in spinning and weaving wool and flax. If the idea is found practicable, a sum of money will be placed on next year's estimates tor the purpose of giving effect to it.

MECHANICS' LIEN BILL. This measure, advocated by Dr. Fitchefcb, has boeu prepared, and would already have been introduced but for the deadlock that has prevailed for the last month. The Government hops, however, that it will yet be passed into law this session.

CAPITATION FOR COUNTRY SCHOOLS. Ib,was suggested by Mr Cowan yesterday afternoon that in computing the capitation allowance to weak country schools the Government should revert to the working average instead of the strict average. The Minister for Education said he was aware 'that, tho distribution of moneys in various educational districts didnotwoik quito fairly. The matter would recoivo consideration during the recess, and prob ably some, measuie would bo brought' for ward next session. POSTAL NOTES.

Now that the Bill authorising the issue of postal notes in small post-offices has passed both branches of the Legislatme, the Pobb-master-Geneial has promised to extend b!ie system as far as practicable.

OUR VJLLACE SETTLEMENTS. A return laid upon the table of the House yesterday in refercnco to the three principal village settlements in Auckland shows that £6,051 has been expended upon the Horekino settlers who originally took up 125 sections, of which only 79 wero still occupied on the 31st March last ; that, the Mobukarnka settlement had cost the colony £2,225, and out of 63 original settlers only 43 remained ; and that the expenditure in locating 72 settlers at Piwakitere was £23 9s Bd, and only 4 sections are still occupied.

FINANCIAL MATTERS. Mr Larnach has tabled the following question, to a&k the Government : — Whether looking ab the financial difficulties thab have recently occmred in certain monetary concerns in the colony the Cabinet will during the recess seriously consider the important question of future banking arrangements for the colony with the view of enlisting the co-operation of each of the several incorporated banks doing business in New Zealand, so that a fair share of every clas3 of Government financial business may be given to each bank, on a similar system to thab which has for many years been practised and still obtains in Victoria, and by which plan greater facilities and safety will be given to the Government account, from the tact that the deposits aud advances for short periods to the colony may be equally divided among the several banks.

LEGISLATE E COUNCIL. The Native Bills that are before tteh c Upper Chamber were read a second tim c yesterday, and referred to the Nativ 6 Affairs Committee. The Native Meeting B Bill was considered by the Council in com" mittee, and after a trifling amendment was reported, the third reading being fixed for this afternoon.

THE MEMBER FOX WAITEMATA. Speaking on the Animals' Protection Act Amendment Bill last night, Mr Monk hinted that ho would not long be in the House, and gave the inipiession that he did not propose standing: at the next election. When 1 spoke to him on the subject, he said he felt so dissatisfied with our political world that he was inclined to make a resolution, but could not definitely say so.

PETITIONS. The following petitions have been presented to the Bouse : — From Major D. H. Lush, for land giant for military services (Mr Hamlin) ; from John Carroll, of Kawakawa, for land grant for military services ; from the family of the late James Shepherd, of Whangaroa, oneof theearliestmissionaries in the colony, praying for the transfer of certain lands received bv deed from the Maoris.

PROTECTION OF GAME. A long debate ensued last night on the second reading of the Animais 1 Protection Bill, which was introduced^by the Colonial Secretary for the purpose of imposing further restrictions upon the shooting and sale of game. Sir G. Giey was one of the strongest opponents of the Bill, and characterised it as hypocritical ; inasmuch as side by side with it we were importing stoats and weasels and ferrets, the last named of which would even kill children. An amendment by Mr John McKenzie that the Bill he read a second time that day 3 months was negatived by 42 to 27, and Uie second reading agreed to.

SHIPPING AND SEAMEN'S AMENDMENT ACT. This measure was passed through Committee last night and reported with two or three amendments of no importance. The debate on the third reading was adjourned until to-morrow.

FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY'S BILL. This Bill was passed through Committee with the addition of a new clause moved by Mr Downie Stewart, to the effect that oh and after January Ist, 1890, all fire insurance receipts and policies shall only be issued subject to such conditions as shall from time to time bo approved by the Governor -in - Council ; and any policies issued without such conditions shall be null and void.