THE WARD-HISLOP AFFAIR.

REPORT OF THill LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL COMMITTEE

RESIGNATION OF HON W. HISLOP

(fkom our own cobrespondbnt.j

Wellington, Sep^embor 3 Tha only topic of oonveraation this afternoon has been the report of the Ward-Hlslop correspondence oommittee of the Legislative Oouncil, whioh was brought up to-day. Io bringing np the report ihe Hon Mr Wilson gave notice to move that the report and evidence be printed, so tba"- there la likely to be soma 'ilßCUssion on the sobjaot to-morrow. The following is tbe full text of the report : —

•' Tbe Oommittee to whom It was referred to inquire into and report upon, the olroumstikicea that have oaotsloued the correspondence betweenlMlnlsters and Mr District Judge Ward bave tbe honor to report tbat (1) Your Oommittee have made careful enquiry and taken evldenoe, report tbat evldenoe andl proceedings to the Oounoll. (2) The Oommittee is of opinion that the correspondence of the Hon Mr Hislop with Mr Dlatrlot Jadge Ward merits tbe gravest disapproval." "J. N. Wilson, Chairman."

ImmedUtdy the nature of the report beosme known it was ourrently reported that Mr Hislop wonld, resign, and before long the statement that tbe Colonial Seoretary bad actually sent In hia reslg nation was confirmed: I nnderatand the resignation Is to be considered by the Cabinet to-morrow. It Is further stated that not only h*a the Minister resigned his seat In the Oablnet, but that ha will shortly plaoe m the Speaker's hands his taslgnatloa as member for o*maru. There Ib alio a revival of the rumor that Hon Mr Fergus will alio resign m oonsequero) of business oalls, and that he will ba succeeded by Mr Downle Stewart, who Is to be elevated to a a. 'aft In the Legislative Oounoll. Although the statement some time ago tbat Mr Fergus would resign was oontrsdloted, I have reason to believe that It was trne. Later. Mr J B. Whyte, Oaptitn Russell, Mr Samuel and others ate also named as possible successors to Mr Hislop, Mr Hislop siates tbat he has not yet decided what oouree to take with referenoe to' his seat as member for Oamaru. Up to tbo present time (2 p,m t ) Mr Hislop's resignation has not been aooeptod. There is a pretty general feeling tbat the Colonial Seoretiry should not be made a taapegost, and that the Minlrter of Justice Is equally to blame. It [Is rumored that the Opposition Intend moving m the matter.