GENERAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 868, 30 September 1871, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

Some curiosity ia felt; as to hovt the Government will take Mr Stafford's motion for a Committee of Enquiry into the Telegraph Department. After the stand they took in regard t6 the motion of Mr Collins for a re- I turn of persons using the wire without charge, when they made the question a Ministerial ono, declaring that if the House could not trust them to manage the telegraph they were not tit to occupy the Government benches, it is difficult to see how they can with any good grace, assent to the motion now brought forward by the leader of the opposition. And if they do not assent to it they will undoubtedly be beaten, even if they stake their existence on the result of a division. The feeling of dissatisfaction and doubt on the subject of the management of this department is verv general in the House. The persistent evasions of the Minister* when asked questions, and their evident unwillingness to have the subject ventilated, have caused a suspicion even in the minds of those best affected towards the Government. In the House of Representatives on the 30th ult., Mr Creighton asked the Premier whether the Government intended to bring in a Bilk during the present session, to regulate the sale of wines, beer, spirits, and other intoxicating liquors throughout the colony. He mentioned that there was a gene 5 - raj expectation that a Bill of the kind Would be introduced during the present session, and that it Was not desir=able that it should be introduced by a private member. Mr Fox Said> in replying to the honourable member, he might be allowed to refer to his posi--tiou with reference to the Permissive Bill. The House would Understand that in addressing public bodies in the colony he had not been acting in any way as a representative of the Gov'ern--ment; all his efforts in that direction had been in his private although it did not, seem to he accurately understood that that was always the case. He had received a number of letters which clearly implied that the Government had made some preparations for the bringing m of a licensing Bill. He had always disclaimed any such intention. The position now was this: A considerable number of petu tions had been presented, and from private correspondence he knew that a very much larger number would yet be presented to the House) and he had waited until he had ail opportunity of ascertaining in what direction the wishes of the people would require them to go. When he had so ascertained what was likely to be the na* ture and number of the petitions presented to the House> it would then be his duty to consider what steps should be taken in the matter.

A carpenter at the Bluff has had a narrow escape from fatally poisoning himself by-Jaking a dose of sulphate of zinc in mistake for Epsom salts. That the Shotover should be walked over a little more than ancle deep } from side to side, may seem strange to many. Tet such says the " Wakatip Mail" was the fact on the 4th instant, when it could be crossed for a fewhoum The causes were gigantic land slips, at or near Sutherland's Beach, which effectually dammed the back waters of this rapid river, The extent of the slips may therefor be fairly estimated by those who know the river. In modern days they are probably the largest slips thatj have taken place» and it is said that some enormous rocks have been deposited in the bed of the river which will materially affect the river's levei at the site* and above it.

A summary of the financial transac' tions of the Otago Provincial Treasury during the quarter ended on the 30th June last, is published in this week's Provincial Government " Gazette." It shows the revenue during the quarter to have been £61,126 3s 2d, and the expenditure £57,421 8s 3d, leaving a balance in favour of the for* mer of £3704 14 lid. Among the items of revenue wd notice the dog tax figures for £1744. The of Land, in his report on the working of the Land Transfer Act. makes the following remarks :—•' The result of anxious enquires in all directions is a couvic; tion that it is my duty to recommend the Government to promote legislation without delay, enabling them to create a system of survey which shall operate over the Colony. I am aware that many difficulties surround such a proposal, but I an nervously sensible that while on the one hand I might succeed in making an approximation of the cost of correcting and complete ing surveys, it would be utterly impossible for me or anyone else to make even an approximation of the damage that must result from an extensive operation of the Land Transfer system, with its accompanying assurance of title, in the absence of that principal element of safety, a reliable survey of the lands a title to which is to be guaranteed. I hold very strong opinons as to the means by which a satisfactory survey of the country could be best arrived at, having regard to expedition > economy, and accuracy ; but as this branch of the public service is not included in my department, I may only venture to suggest that it might be profitable if the question of the surveys of the Colony were handed over to A competent commission for examination and report. With regard to the expense of placing the surveys of the Colony on a proper footing, I would, if permitted, state my belief, notwithstanding any alarm which might

follow, that a sum of at least £IOO,OOO will bo required. I trust that no •apology will bq pqcessary for my having ventured: upon what I am aware must be a disconcerting aud unwelcome disclosure of opnion." It isi 'rumoured that Mr Stafford will probably table resolutions going further "towards the abolition of Provincialism,and containing definite proposals regarding the waste lands Nothing, howeve*, has been determined on.