POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2408, 15 December 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN OiHIiESPUSPKNTj. Wellington, Wednesday, The Disqualification Question, Thk question raised by Mr Samuels in tlic House yesterday with respect to tinalleged disqualification of six members of the Legislative Council, absent without leave for two sessions, turns out to be a veritable mares nest. I hear Sir Frederick Whitaker, the Attorney•( Joner.d has given his opinion that there is nothing in the point raised. Obstruction Rampant. The llmi!«e sat right through hwt night till past five this morning over the Govornment Railways Bill. The Land Bill occupied the time of the committee for several hours, and a whole host of frivolous am *ndincuts were proposed which had not Urn ghost of a chance of being agreed to. To such a pitch was this canied that Sir G. Grey at length made an indignant protest against their conduct, which had the effect of putting a stop for a time to the legislative larks of both old and young members. The whole business was wearisome in the extreme, as those bills could have been disposed of in half the time with a reasonable discussion, especially as the Land Bill hud already occupied several nights in committee. Dr Pollen’s Retirement. Dr Pollen has firmly expressed his intention not to take his seat in the Council again while the Honorarium Bill lecenlly passed remains on the Statute Book. Legislative Dinner. A large number of the officers of Raven, now lying in Wellington harbour, were entertained at dinner to-night at Bellamy’s by members of the House, several members having partaken of the officers’ hospitality on board the man-of-war on Sunday last.