onus — The endless wire rope imported from London some time ago for the aerial tramway is showing signs of weakening. The company liave cabled Home for another rope. Tenders are called by this company for driving another level of 300 feet. °

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, May 28. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE EETURNS.
Maori census returns and the report of the Pacific Islands Committee were brought up.
KEPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Mr BROWN askedtheSGovernment with a view to economy in the civil service and depart mental expenditure, what steps they intend taking towards effecting a substantial reduc tion iv the cost of governing the colony. Sir R. STOUT said he believed the Govern ment would be able to effect a saving this year, but he preferred that the matter should be discussed in Committee of Suppty, or that the House should wait till the Civil Service Reform Bill was brought in. Mr O'OALLAGHAN asked the Government whether they have taken iuto consideration the want oi uniformity beteween the wages paid to gaol warders and the wages paid to lunatic asylum attendants, and whether they intend to provide for more equality in the pay of these two classes ot public employes. Sir K. STOUT said the Government did not see their way to increase salaries. He pointed out that lunatic asylum attendants received rations in addition to salaries.
