POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 470, 5 August 1899, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[by telegraph.—-own correspondent]. Wellington, Last Night. THE WRiGG CASE. Mr H. Wrigg’s claim to the New Zealand Cross, petitioned for last session, came before the House to-day. Mr Merries asked whether any money had been paid to Mr Wrigg for his attendance before the Public Petitions Committee. The Premier said £52 had been paid to Mr Wrigg himself, and the enquiry as to whether or not he is entitled to the Cross would ccst between £3OO and £4OO. Mr Scddon expressed his opinion that the enquiry would no doubt result as unsatisfactorily as other enquiries of a similar nature. He wondered how much longer the long-suffering taxpayers of the colony would put up with such wilful and wasteful expenditure (Mr Piraui : Yes, on the part of the Government). The Committee I hear will report on the petition on Tuesday, and it is generally believed that their recommendation will be adverse to Mr Wrigg receiving the Cross. THE TUTANEKAI’S SERVICES. The Premier laid on the table this afternoon a despatch from the Samoan Commissioners, acknowledging the services rendered at Samoa by the Governvernment steamer Tutanekai. The despatch sta'es that the service of the Tutanekai on such an occasion was invaluable to the Commission, as she was able to approach comparatively near the points where the Commissioners wished to land, while other ships, which they could have had, would have been compelled to remain a considerable distance out to sea. LOYAL PUBLIC OFFICERS. Mr Carson to-day scored off the Premier rather effectively, Mr Seddon, in the course of some remarks on a question put by Mr McGuire, said he was very glad to find that the Commissioner of Taxes carried out the law no matter whether he pleased or displeased. (Mr Carson ; “So does the Auditor-Gene-ral.”) The House at once saw the point, but it seemed rather an unpleasant re minder to Mr Seddon, who lately charged the Auditor-General with political bias against the Government simply for doing his duty as a public officer.