POLITICAL ENDEARMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7252, 10 August 1907, Page 4

POLITICAL ENDEARMENTS.

A "BALMY" BREEZE IN THE HOU£E. (By Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 9. During the disciission on the Estimates iv Committee of Supply in the House this afternoon, at tne vote for Public Buildings and Domains (£89,000), Messrs Ell, Heke, and Gray spoke ol j the scattered nature of the Government buildings in Auckland and Christchurch. Mr Gray read a long and pathetic letter, which he had written to the Government before the session, in regard to the office of the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Christchurch being pn the first floor of the building instead of the ground floor. This drew the member for Ashburton, who had been giving gentle encouragement to the various speakers, to his feet. Mr McLachlan said that he had listened with great pleasure to Mr Gray, and wished to move that his most important letter be laid on the table. (Laughter.) "It may be bogus, for all I know," said Mr McLachlan, "like Mr Gray himself." (Loud laughter.)

The chairman called for the withdrawal of the statement. Mr McLachlan: "I withdraw anything objectionable, but not the motion. Mr Gray's letter is a grave reflection upon the Government. I am sincere in moving that it be laid on the table for the purpose of having it embalmed in the annals of the House." (Laughter.) Mr Gray : " I wish they would embalm you." (Laughter .J Mr McLachlan retorted that he would not mind being embalmed, but Mr' Gray would never be embalmed—he wasn't worth it." Mr Gray suggested that Mr McLachlan was " balmy." The member for Ashburton again pressed his motion, asking for a seconder. A Voice : " Perhaps the leader of the Opposition will second you." The Chairman said that it was not necessary to put the motion ; the letter would be laid on the table without it, if necessary. The business then proceeded, and Mr McLachlan soon after left the House. The incident was thoroughly enjoyed.