POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 130, 19 October 1912, Page 4

POLITICAL NOTES.

RACING STATISTICS,

By Telegraph—Own Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. A return was presented to Parliament yesterday, on the motion of Mr. Reed, showing the number of race meetings which have .been held each year since 1908. For the racing year ended July 31, 1909, the totalisator clubs held 156 meetings, and non-totalisator clubs 116, a total of 272. Unfortunately, the number of unregistered clubs, which held numerous meeting at the time, was not available. For the year ended July 31, 1910, 251 meetings were held (unregistered meetings not available), and for the year 1911, since the last Gaming Amendment Act abolishing the bookmakers came into operation, 295 meetings. This includes registered and unregistered clubs. The return, owing to the fact that it does not include the illegitimate meetings for 1909 and 1910, fails to elucidate the point evidently aimed at hj? Mr. Reed.

COAL MINES BILL. In the Coal Mines Amendment Bill, as reported from the Goldfields and Mines Committee, clause B, providing for the annual examination by a medical practitioner of engine-drivers, has been altered in the direction of providing that after the first examination, if the doctor states that another examination in his opinion will not be required for three years, then such certificate shall be sufficient. The clause relating to the supply of water for the purpose of laying dust has been struck out. Sub-section B of clause 18, giving the Governor power to make regulations requiring inspectors of mines to pass a higher examination than is required for a mine manager, has also been struck out. The Act of 1908 makes it obligatory on the part of all mineowners, "so far as may be reasonably practicable," to do everything possible for the safety and comfort of the miners. The words quoted were repealed in the Bill, thus making the clause absolutely obligatory. The committee, however, has reinstated the words in the original Act.

HOTEL EMPLOYEES. SIX DAYS A WEEK. Wellington, Last Night. In response to numerous requests by members the Prime Minister has promised to bring down this session a Bill providing for a six days week for hotel and restaurant employees.