POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 501, 17 October 1899, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent]. Wellington, Last Might, COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. Great interest is naturally taken in the new appointments to the Legislative Council, it was currently reported today that a serious hitch had arisen between the Governor and the Premier, and that His Excellency had declined to make the appointments on the ground that as the general election was imminent ho desired to fee whether or not Ministers possessed the confidence of the people. It is understood, however, that His Excellency will agree to the appointments ot the retiring Councillors, that is those who wish to be reinstated and whom Ministers intend to put in their old positions. Mr W. Montgomery is said to have refused reappointment, and it is no secret now that Mr John Macgregor was so much incensed by a letter he received from the Hon. John McKcrzie reproaching him for not supporting the Government measures that he forwarded a stinging reply to the effect that he should not again accept a seat in the Council from any Ministry of which Mr McKcnzie was a member. COUNTY ELECTIONS.

The Hon. W. C. Smith intends asking the Minister for Education whether the Government will at once notify the Clerks of County Councils throughout the colony of the fact that the Local Government Voting Reform Bill reducing the number of votes that can be recorded in counties to three has become law, so as to prevent mistakes in the pending county elections.