THE LOBBIES. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1408, 12 July 1881, Page 2

THE LOBBIES. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Re-Distribution of Seats Bill. Wellington, Last^Night. The following are the changes 'proposed in the Re-Distribntion of SfeSU Bill : — Ec Auckland Provincial District, Mongonui, and Bay of Islands will remain unchanged ; Rodney will recive some 161)0 from Marsden, and Waitemata between 400 and 800 from Rodrey : Onehunga will be abolished, as also Eden, and a district constituted taking in Onehunga, Panmure, and Eden ; the name of the proposed new district has not yet been decided; Franklin will be divided into two districts, probably by a line running from east to west, giving an equal number of the population to each district ; Waikato will remain as it is, with the exception of a territorial extension to the South, probably as far as Lake Taupo ; Waipa will have its boundaries extended by the sea coast to a point on the West Coast opposite Taupo, thence to Taupo, thence to the Waikato constituency, probably the Waikato river to its old boundary on to confiscated line. The Thames will be divided into two parts — first, the Borough of Thames, confined strictly to the present municipalities, with Parawai added ; second, Coromandel and Tararaa, and the district lying between the Thames Borough and Coromandel, including the town of Coromandel. The East Coast will be divided into, two with two members. Tauranga, Opotiki, iVlaketu, Rotorua, Ohinemutu, Te Aroha, Katikati, will form one division, and Poverty Bay district with the addition of Wairoa and a portiou of Hawke's Bay will form another. The other Auckland electorates will probably remain as they are. Auckland gets in all nineteen members, being one additional. The total members for the colony is 91, being 36 for the North Island, and 55 for the South. These of course are subject to revision, not yet having been considered in Cabinet.

The Vacant Portfolio. j To-day the rumor was fairly circulated that Mr Wakefield had been sworn in as a member of the Government. He has not jet joined the Government whatever hia chances ultimately may be in that direction. Public Works in Waipa. In a lengthened communication to the i Minister for Public Works, Mr WhitakerJ has set forth various pressing needs of I the Waipa district. He has, I under- 1 stand, particulary impressed upon them the necessity for a sum being contributed for snagging the Waipa River, which is such an important artificial highway as a feeder from the rich district of the Waipa Valley to the railway at Ngaruawahia.

The Hamilton Bridge. The Hamilton bridge is also dealt with at great length. I have not been able to glean the whole purport of the letter, but I understand it deals very fully with the whole question of public works throughout the district. Intimation has been received by the member for Waipa that Government has consented to grant a right-of-way through the Government reserve, as asked by the Newcastle Town Board, subject to the provision that whenever Government i 3 prepared to remove the railway station on to the reserve, the latter will be resumed. „„■*s•;})

Opposition Caucus. A few members of the Opposition met this afternoon to determine the steps to be taken at tho next general election, bo as to ensure concerted action in the endeavour to return a Liberal majority to the House. It was found that last year the Association formed in different centres conducted their operations independent of each other, thereby weakening the general effect. It is now proposed to form a Central Committee, having radiating branches throughout the colony. A general meeting of the party is to be called in a few days. Mr Stieehan was present by special invitation, but I have not been able to learn thdt Sir George Grey was at tho meeting. It is highly probable that the Public Works Statement will be made on Friday.