GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume XIII, Issue 1731, 26 September 1868, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

' [lltOM OTJIt OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ' Wellington, Sept. 22. r The sitting of the House on Friday was occupied by a rambling discussion "» on public-houses in disturbed districts, } in which some strong remarks were j made upon the disorderly habits of i some of the colonial troops. Nothing of much value was brought out. Mc ; BarlF took up the debate on tho want ' of confidence motion, and made his ' usual stylo of speech, consisting of 1 Westland and Ins own political indo- > pendence. Mr Charles O'Neill gave » the committee one of his choicest 1 oratorical treats, touching upon all j matters (including architecture) not , connected with the question under s consideration. Major Atkinson spoke -* shortly but forcibly, chiefly reiterating • His opinions, given more than onco I during this session, against the t. present system of defence. There was > an ominous sound in his words-—giving > but little hope of a prospect of peace. The Major alwayß speaks earnestly and [ clearly and commands attention. He i omitted any remarks concerning tho future existence of Provincial Govern--1 ments, but clearly staled his view that \ the fiuancial resolution should bo : passed, and that there should b_ no \ adjustment -whatever. I understood > him to think that the great object of • the resolution was to make every 1 individual in the colony equal in [liability. Mr Tancred spoke well for l the Opposition—repeating his belief in t nominated Superintendents. Mr Gallagher of Westland north made ' a most curious exhibition of hiai- . self, and when he had finished \ a most extraordinary event happened. Mr Stafford and Mr Fox > with other principal men on both .sides 1 had been induced, by Mr Gallagher's j eloquence, to seek refuge in Bellamy's , for a few minutes. Everybody ex- • peoted that Mr Dillon Bell would 1 speak, and that Mr. Hall would reply on behalf of the Ministers, before a • division would be taken, but when Mr Gallagher Bat down, Mr Carlefcon, 1 the chairman of committees, put the question in the usual manner, and owing to surprise preventing any mem- , ber from interfering, the resolution . was actually carried on the voices, and 'no division asked for. Such a thing ' has probably never been heard of ' fore—after days of debate to nettle tWr question without dividing* However, i when Mr Stafford, Mr Fox, and others ' came into the House, Mr Fox tooktho ; opportunity to explain that the whole , thing was entirely an accident. Ihe :.. Government behaved very well indceu about the affair, and sbo'tred mucn willingness to help in restoring the matter to a position in which a dmsion could be still taken. Mr Beli and Mr Vogel spoke with some mawcrelion, Mr Vogel beginning to speak when he had no business to do so, as Mr Fox had arranged with the Muiwlers how the thing was to be manage.. Mr Vogel, probably from deafness, had not caught the arrangement, and wob careering away at a great pace, when, amidst the laughter of the member-*, Mr Fox walked over to Mr Vogel, who was speaking in the middle of tho House, and whispering to him, at length succeeded iv putting a stop *° the business. Mr Bell showed great irritation ,and excitement in hia manner of urging on the Ministers to luko a division, and Mr Cracroft Wilson,having incautiously referred to him, he descended with* much iit-rceness upon that gentleman, telling hint that he would take an opportunity in a future and more convenient occasion oj teaching him better manners. When all these pleasantries were ended it was understood that on the resolution being reported to : tho House from the Committee, Mr Fox should move " that Una House line* not confidence in tho Government." The division "was . taken, ■ and resulted in a majority for the Ministers of eovcii; a majority o-' five had been expected, but Mr Hsf»

'son of Wanganui, and Mete Eitu foed to come up to the scratch f< «L O''PO siti P n - The annquncemer Ttlib was received with lou %eera by the supporters of Goverr ent i^ e next eveot consequenc 3Tiea ns motion, ou which it : llouffht the Ministers will be hardt * &n & -which will be continued tc fj "(Tuesday) probably ending nc later than Thursday at farthest. Yesterday, the Opposition had saefiting at their rooms, and the Minis • - Srisl supporters met the Governraen ■I the afternoon. Nothing has leake ont as t0 tne P roceeclin g s of eithei \ " shepherd " has at rived froc facklaud to look after the member from, that province. This time it i i g. t ]j| r Thomas Eussell, who per I Lided them so effectually last yeai but N* Creighton. It is said tha inee- the resolution was passed foi «attiog all the provincial loans on thi f o jjoQ]idated Eund, the Auckland met seen that should their Thamei eoldfields go on much, Auckland mighi Such is the way of the work at least of the New Zealand work tfith the present Government leading 1 ' September 23. Mr McLean' B adjourned motion, which Has gained the name of the " alarm ,; fhotion, was taken up by Mr Dillon 'Hell at seren o'clock on Tuesday, the I afternoon having been spent in clearing g some of the work ou the order paper. Mr Bell spoke for more than three hours upon the whole native I aJministration of the Government. * «jj narration of the circumstances fftieh led to the recent outbreak at Patea was most interesting and minute, and should be carefully read by every- ! bo<ly who wishes to get a fair know- [ ]g^g e of the matter. Mr Bell conI the treatment of the native I question both on the East and "West I Coasts, and implored the Middle Island I members to aid in stopping another I frightful war. Mr Eichmond folI lowed* in reply for the GovernI meat, and spoke well to the purI vm, deprecating —as his gentle I manner is—so much hard hitting over i go difficult and complicated a, subject I as-'tbe one under discussion. He I pitched into Mr Bell for 7us native I sdministration years ago. Eichmond 1 is seatunental — well-meaning — des- !.' always giving one the im- ! nressioa that he is saying mentally— "Oh! that ever I was born!" At midnight; the House adjourned, Mr fraveri moving the adjournment. He I no doubt perform a war-dance toI his own account—upon Colonel McDonnell, the Defence Mi--5 nisfer; and everybody and everything I connected with the Patea troubles.