POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2672, 27 August 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(IIY TELEGRAPH.—OWN COIUIESI'ON'OE.VT). Wellington, Monday. AMATEUR PIIOTOG RAP HERS. The Premier was questioned by Mr Joyce us to whether he was awaro that several Civil Servants practised the art of outdoor photography for gain, and whether he would make enquiries into the matter so as to put a stop to it. Sir Harry Atkinson replied that he was not awaro of the fact, nor did he think it was desirable that the Government should make such enquiries. The Premier added that if the member for Lyttelton knew ot any ca.-:c in which the Civil Servants neglected their duties he (Sir Harry) would take steps to remedy it. THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Mr Larnach is desirous that the whole of the banks should participate in the Government account, and he intends therefore to ask the Premier whether he will consider the claims of all the incorporated banks equally doing business in the colony, when making any change in the present banking arrangements :>f the Government, or when depositing monies on fixed deposit. LORD CRANLEV'S ILLNESS. The Speaker read to the House the following letter which he received from His Excellency the Governor " Sir,— I have to acknowledge the rcceipt of the resolution forwarded by you trom the Houseof Representatives, and request that you will convey to the members of the House my sincere (.hanks for their kind congratulations on the recovery of my son, and for the sympathy and consideration which they, and lhe inhabitants of the colony, have manifested towards myself and Lady Onslow throughout the course of his late dangerous illness, from which, by the blessing of God, he is now convalescent. I have also to thank you for the kind expression used by yourself in forwarding the resolution. — Onslow." The Governor's letter, on the Premier's motion, was ordered to be entered in the journals of the House. A M IN ISTE RIAL, QUE STIOX. The supporters of the Otago Central Railway are not without hope that the Bill may come up a.gain before the session dotes, and another elfoit made to push it through the House. A meeting of Otago members was held this afternoon at which it was resolved that the Government be requested to go on with this Bill as by the votes taken on Thursday night, it is after all merely postponed to enable Ministers to ascertain what other lines could be included in it. The supporters of the line contend that if the Bill were made a Ministerial question, there would be little doubt of its success, but it is questionable whether the Government will consent to proceed with the measure, further this s-jssion after the emphatic verdict just given against it. THE EX-PREMIER, I understand that Sir Robert Stout has no intuition whatever of contesting any constituency at the next general election. Report says that Sir itobei t intends paying a visit to the Old Country some time next year, probably Before the writs are issued for the new Parliament. WARD-HISLOP CASE. It is understood that the Colonial Secretary has not consented to be examined before the Select Committee of the Legislative Council appointed to inquire into the Ward-Hislop incident. It has also been decided by the Committee to take the evidence of the Oatnaru gao'er and warder. A HOSTILE RESOLUTION. Tho following is the clause that Mr Hutchinson intends moving to the Oamaru Harbour Board Bill, promoted by and in charge of the Colonial Secretary, provided that until a B.iard of Trustees shall bo constituted for t.ie purpose of administering tiie investment on account of the PostOffiee Savings B.tnk it shall not be lawful to advance or lend moneys 011 the security of the debentures if authorised by this Act.