. [Pia PBEBS ABBOCIA.TION.J NAPIER, Sept. 15. women's franchise. Enquiries have been made with reference to the statement of Sir B. Stout in the Houte on Wednesday evening, that the petitions forwarded from Napier against women's franchise were signed by drunken loafers about the hotel bars in Napier. The statement is totally incorrect. As a matter of fact the whole of the signatures were obtained in two hours, and if a longer tini9 had been given the petitions would have been signed by a large majority of the citizens. rSPECIAIi TO " STAR."] WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. The other amendment to be brought down by message from the Governor has reference to the voting of Maoris. It has been discovered that though the intention of the Bill is clearly to enfranchise Maoris, both male and female, the schedule is so framed that the Returning Officer has no power to hand voting papers to Maoris. It is to correct the schedule in this particular < that the amendment is required. It is not expected that there will be any trouble in the House beyond some obstructive talk by Mr Fiah, but the friends of woman's suffrage are in great trepidation lest the Councillors should take advantage of the opportunity afforded by these amendments to defeat the measure by refusing to agree to the alterations proposed in expectation that the Government would then drop the Bill- There is still an uneasy feeling abroad that the Governor may withhold bi3 assent to the measure. The latest reason I have heard offered is that the inclusion of

the Maori fraucuise brings the Bill within i the ECopeof matters which the Governor is ' bound to re?er to the Colonial Office. I may add that I do not el-are these doubts and fears, but I ir.eation them to ahow the feel ing of insecurity that prevail?. Per Press Association.! WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. After transacting formal bueineße, the Houbo cf Representatives adjourned^ till 7.30 p.m., ut of respect to the late Mr Levin.
