POLITICAL NOTES

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 26, 8 September 1896, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

(IIY I'ELEUltAl'll. SI'KCt.U. COHKKSI'ON'DRNT.) Wkjjjxctox, Last Night.

THK ESTIMATES. Mixistkks intend taking a strong effort to dispose of the remaining clauses o! the estiniiitcts before the. House rises to-mor-row, and an alliiieht silling may result. Tli.' progre s of the estimates this session has lice i unusually .'low, thus consideration has certainly licen confined to Tuesdays in onh r to stave oil intercepting motions mid this has necessitated their being spread over a couple of weeks. Scarcely any reductions have been made, hut very protracted' discussions have ti'-'cii place on the various clauses. The Government supporters have this year occupied more time discussing the estimates than the regular opposition, which may he accounted for by the fact that a general election is approaching and a section of the party prohibly wish to shew that they are, at any rate not the dumb dogs which some of the members have been described to he on more than one occasion. NATIVE JUDGES.

The Bill introduced by Mr Wi I'ere, the Eastern Maori men.her. provides for the appointment of Maori Judges to deal with native lands. He proposes, however, to limit the powers of those judges to the original investigation of title of native lands and appeals, in relation thereto, and the IMIi further provides that no European judge shall hear an appeal against the decision of a native judge and vice versa. A European assessor may he appoiute 1 by the Governor to .sit with a judge, and in such case no decision of the judge shall have ail)' effect unless assented to by the assessors. MINING HILL. Tiie Mining Hill, which is still before the Goldliclds Gommittco, is expected to he strongly opposed in the House. I undcrst oid that certain amendments are being prepared which Mr Cadiuau considers .will meet the views of the measure. It is proposed to suspend for two years the provision requiring that mine managers must hold eertilieates which will enable the companies to choose whom they like for mine managers during that period. This is safeguarded by the Mining Inspector for the district being called upor. to report every six months as to the manner in which any mine so conducted is managed, and upon these reports will the Hoards of Examiners deealc as to the certificates to be awarded to such managers. I hear Mr Gild man is determined to uphoid the rights of the Grown to the precious metal in all lands. 'J UK BANK' [XWIRy.

I understand the Legislative Council Committee is busily engaged preparing its report for presentation to the Council. This report is looked forward to with considerable interest by both Mouses and it is expected to be of considerable import nice. MORE HANK LEGISLATION.

Mysterious rumours are afloat that Ministers intend to bring down another Dill dealing with the holders of Colonial Hank shares, which according to lobby gos.-ip is likely to evoke stormy opposition iu the House.