POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2654, 16 July 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(MY TKLUlilUl'll. —OWN <;OUHI':SI'ON'I>ENT.) Wki.i.ini iTo.v, Monday. QUIET LOU I SIRS. Tim Lobbies were litorally deserted today, tlio tine weather tempting many members to pay a visit to tlio Jlutt Steeplechase meet ing; there was. consequently very little political gossip to be obtained during tlio U.>y. OTAOO CENTRAL RAILWAY. It is prophesied already that, notwithstanding the proposal of the Government to construct the Otago Central Railway by means of the pastoral rents derived from the runs through which the line will pass, that t!ie Bill is again doomed this session. A report is afloat that in addition to strong opposition on the part of certain Southern members.,(not Otagn ones, of course.) the block Auckland vote will bo dead against the lino, unless the Government is prepared to grant a similar concession for the construction of the railways north of Auckland. SHORT HUSSION. There is every prospect now of the session being an unusually short one. Tho I'remier expects that tho whole of tho business will lie 'finished before the end of August., unless some unexpected development should interfere. Strange to say. both sides of the House are pretty unanimous in their desire to get through the work without any delay, as, owing to the mixed state of parties, tliero appears to be no intention whatever of challenging hhe position of the Government this year, 'at any rate. The Opposition, h.nvover, talk pretty confidently of turning tlio Ministry out at r.u oarly statro next session, and forcing them to a dissolution, a month or two earlier than it would occur in the ordinary course, the idea being that, judging from past experiences, it rarely happens that a defeated Ministry comes back with a majority after the general elections. A LIBERAL CONCESSION. The chairman of tho Press gallery (Mr T. Morrison), received a communication this afternoon to tho e.fTect that the General Malinger of the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company had generously offered the members of the Press gallery free passes over the company's line during the session. THK COLONISATION SCHKMK. Mr \V. L. Reea is now in Wellington, and I hear is endeavouring to get a select committee formed to enquire into the great colonisation scheme he is so anxious to promote.