Parliamentary Gossip.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4564, 21 August 1883, Page 2

Parliamentary Gossip.

(feom otjb own cobrespondent.)

Wellington, This day.

Communications have been opened up with the Government with the view of getting a sum placed on the Supplementary Estimates for Thames Harbor works. The Government, as requested, have asked for plans, estimates, &c, of the proposed work. Messrs Sheehan, Cadman, Morris, Whyte, and Whitaker, M.H.R.'s, and Mr Eobt. Graham have arranged to meet the Pre mier, with a view of urging a reply being given re the Thames railway. They will also, in the event of the Harbor information required being available, bring that matter under notice.

The following questiens are on the Order Paper for to-day:—MrPyke to ask the Colonial Secretary (2) whether, in the interests of public morality, he will exercise the discretionary powers vested in him by the G-aming and Lotteries Act, and refuse to,grant any license or authority to use the totalisatoc at horse racing meetings; (2). In the event of the Minister refusing so to exercise his discretionary power, will the Government allow the Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill, having for itsobject the repeal of the sections of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881, authorising the use of the totalisator by permission of the Colonial Secretary, to come before the House on a Government day. Sir George Grey to ask/the Government, have any facilities for leasing lands from the natives at Waiku, or in the vicinity of Te Aroha, been given to any person by the Government by removing any restrictions againsj; leasing without the consent of the Gjffvernor, or otherwise, if so, to whom ? *Have such facilities been granted, and what are the names and is the extent of such blocks of land P

Mr Hutchison to ask the Minister of Immigration, whether he will not think it his duty, in the interests of the Colony, and of intending immigrants, to taka steps to the effect that an official report, descriptive of the soil and general capabilities of the Pafetero block should be circulated in England, where an effort is now being made to induce persons to invest in the same.