POLITICAL NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2670, 22 August 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

BY TKLECUAPK.—OWN COKKBSI'OXOKST.) Wklungtok, Wednesday. INVESTMENT OF TRUST FUNUS. Tun investment of the Pusl-offico H.mri-,'s . Bank funds has formed the subject of discussion lately in tlie I'ublic Accounts Committee, to which the question was inferred. It was finally resolved, on Dr. Newman's motion, that in future t.he investment of Trust Funds and Savings Bank deposits shall be controlled by a Board and not by the Government. The Premier was present in the committee rooms when the resolution was passed somewhat hurriedly, and he m:ido no opposition to it. although Sir Harry vigorously defended in tlui lEousa the action of the Government in invesling tlioso funds on tlieOamani Harbour Works. Tliis decision of the committee has not yet been reported to the House, and it is not : improbable that an effort will be made to i reverse it in a fuller committee. THE BANKRUPTCY BILL. Some objection was made by Mr J. C. Brown to-day, on Mr .Fergus asking for leave to bring in a B mkruptcy Bill, to the Government bringing in further Bills at this stage of the session, especially as the Minister for Lands the previous day had stated that Bills brought in so late in the session had very little chance of passing. Mr Fergus explained that In merely intended intioducing the Bill so that the country would have an opportunity of Considering its provisions, but the Government would not proceed with it this year. CHRISTIE'S CASIO. Several member* have bocm greatly incensed over the \Vard-Ohristie case, and questions oE all kinds are constantly appearing on the Order Paper in reference to it. Dr. Fitchett this afternoon asked the Minister of Justice whether the ordinary prison rules in respect of food, clothing and labour, as applied to prisoners undergoing sentences of imprisonment with hard labour were relaxed or departed from in favor of Christie, if so in what particulars and by whose authority. Mr Fergus replied that the only way in which Christie was treated differently frmn the other prisoners was that he was allowed to wear his own clothes as there were none in the gaol large enough fc'i lit him and this was done by authority of the gaoler. The Minister's reply elicited hearty laughter at Dr Fitchett's expense. Mr Fisher also asked the Government by whose direction, with what object and at whoso cost a copy of the Ward-Hislop correspondence was sent to each member of the legal fraternity in the colony. The Colonial-Secretary simply replied ''By my direction and at my cost." NAVAL AND MILITARY SETTLERS LANK GRANTS. Capt Russell this afternoon brought up the report of the committee appointed to consider the claims of naval and military sittlers and volunteers to grants of land. The committee have prepared an elaborate report recommending the claims of the petitioners to favourable consideration. They have also reported on the claims of men who served in Heke's war, the Forest Rangers, colonial and defence forces and volunteers under the Act of 1805.