POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2518, 30 August 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

♦ (by telegraph—own correspondent) Wellington, Wednesday. THE MOKAU CASE. Nearly the whole of to-day's sitting up to the dinner adjournment was occupied with the discussion of the Joshua Jones ease, which has been before Parliament for many years past. The Colonial Secretary at length, finding that tho Native members were determined to stonewall the Bill, agreed to compromise matters by striking out the eighth clause, the portion stating that no other person than Joshua Jones shall have power to negotiate for a lease of the land in dispute for two years. That clause confirmed to Mr Jones the rights given to him by the Special Powers and Contracts Act of ISBS, and gave him for two years the sole right to negotiate for the lease of the block. The Bill then passed without difficulty, and w.as Bent up to the Legislative Council, but it is expected to receive a short shrift in that quarter. Mr Jones himself is not at nil satisfied with the Government Bill, and held out for a grant of two thousand pounds besides Retting a lease of the land. Ministers, however, refused to entertain the idea for a moment, and they framed the present Bill as a very reasonable compromise of a troublesome question. MINISTERIAL EXPENSES. It appears from a return laid on the table, that the amount realised by the sale of the furniture of the chief Ministerial residence was £494 10s 9d, the total amount drawn by Ministers as travelling and house allowances for the five months ending the tenth May, ISSS, was £307 10s 4d, the sum expended on repairs to Ministerial residence was £15 18s 3d, and the outlay on furniture and fittings was £37 10* 3d. LIMK FOR NORTH TE AWAMUTU. Major Jackson nas received the following memorandum from the Railway Department respecting this matter:—"We have not very complete p rticulara yet, but as far as we can learn, the is a very fine agricultural lime. If true it will be a great benefit to th whole of the Waikato, and to the railwa system there." THE USUAL MASSACRE. There were 'io questions on the Order Paper to day, but nono of them were asked, as Eeveral members who had given notice of them have left Wellington. There wore no less than 36 Bills on the Paper to be sacrificed.