POLITICAL NOTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2723, 11 October 1894, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

(From the Lyttelton Times.) Wellington, Oct. 9, THE EEOZEN MEAT TRADE. A deputation, headed by Mr Duncan, and comprising Messrs Maslin, r Flatmau, and Hall Jones, waited on the Railway Commissioners to- day on the subject of the proposed reduction of rates for carriage of frozen meat over the raliways of the colony. Mr Duncan said that this movement was one in the interests of the shippers of frozen meat, who wished to confine the trade to Dunedin and Lyttelton, and he pointed out that the effect would be to inflict injustice upon Timaru and Oamaru, by injuring the trade of these ports. Other members of the deputation having spoken, the Commissioners stated in reply that it was not their intention duriue the short term of office that remained to them to introduce any alteration of thp existing rates. It is, therefore, evident that those who desire to encourage the export of frozen meat by cheapening the cost of transit must wait until the Government resumes fall control of the railways. THE RAILWAY BRIDGES. The Railways Committee sat again today. On the subject of the condition of the bridges on the Hurunm-Bluffline, the investigation has, I believe, taken the shape of a departmental inquiry into the conduct of certain officials, At to-day’s sitting a gentleman from Christchurch, who wrote the letters to the Lyttelton Times describing the uur.ouud condition of the bridges, was pressed to disclose the source of his information, but he absolutely declined to do po. LUNATICS AN D ROYALTY. The following extraordinary notico of a ’'question was given this afternoon by Mr J. W. Kelly:—To ask the Minister of j Defence if his attention has been drawn to the following cablegram :—“ A hpuUio I rushed to shako hguclg with the Do'" York on thh OQcnaiyu of a f s *- ’ 0 f Leediß One ** ....m e .,.ry into mo escorting lancers .-ovx me man’s arm and another rode him down.” If so, will the Minister take the necessary steps to issue instructions to the military who may be selected to act as a guard of lienor to the Duke of York when visiting this colony, n t to cut and slash + ho arras of all lunatics who may become possessed of a desire to shake hands or mb noses with a member of the Royal Family. The reading of this notico was received with vigorous cries of “ Hoar, hear,” and other marks of approval. One member, however, seemed to have doubts

, as to the propriety of the question, for • Mr Guinness asked the Speaker if it was in order. Sir M. O'Rorke said he would consider the matter. I understand that as the result of the Speaker's deliberation, it has been resolved not to allow the question to be placed on the OrderPaper. SHOPS BILL. The conference on the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill has come to the following arrangement : European shopkeepers with children under eighteen years, and no other assistance, are to be exempted from the half-holiday closing. The exception of hairdressers has been abandoned, and the clerks' half-holiday upheld subject to exceptions at halfyearly balances and three hours' overtime after 5 p.m. on six days every month. ' A HOSPITAL SCANDAL. An undesirable state of law with regard to the control of hospitals has been brought into notice in connection witb an extraordinary petition from Greymouth, which has been before the House, This was the petition of an injured husband praying for an inquiry into charges against the moral character of a warder at Grey River. The Public Petitions Committee reported to-day that it had taken evidence on the subject, and found that an inquiry held into the charges by Dr Macgregor had resulted in establishing their absolute truth. The Government had done its utmost to get the man Bell discharged, but it seems there is do statutory power to get rid of any hospital employee so long as the house surgeon and the Hospital Committee wish to retain his service's. The Petitions Committee expressed the opinion that a grave scandal had arisen, and that the retention of Bcll'b services is a reflection upon the administration of the Grey river hospital. This report has been referred to the Government for consideration, but it would seem that the Government is perfectly powerless to alter the state ef affairs save by introducing legislation giving power to the luspector-General of Hospitals to discharge officers in such circumstances as have arisen at Greymouth. IHB PUBLIC TRUST AUDIT. Further correspondence respecting the Public Trust Office Audit has been laid on the table. In a letter to the Colonial Treasurer dated the 3rd ult., Mr FitzGerald reviewed the evidence contained in a former letter by Mr Warburton, as to noncounting of the cash. Mr Fitz Gerald considers the evidence adduced cannot outweigh the distinct assertion of a man of known and long tried integrity like his audit officer, and says that there is evidence throughout the correspondence to show that a strong feeling of hostility has been entertained towards the Audit Inspector by the Public Trust officers. Mr Warburton replies to this under date 16th ult., denying that there was hostility on the part of his office, but alleging hostility on the part of the Audit. He adds that Mr Fitz Gerald has made the conduct of Public Trust officials the object of gross and inexcusable accusations, which have ; naturally aroused their indignation. ]