THE LEGISLATIVE FARCH.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7124, 21 July 1888, Page 5

THE LEGISLATIVE FARCH.

[PROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPOXDENfc g WELLINGTON, July aft * After the galleries were cleared las night, stonewalling against Air McArthurft Hospital and Charitable Institutions A Amendment Bill went on merrily (in t: strictest sense of the term) until near five this morning, when an adjournme was agreed to, on the understanding th Government should promise to bring in ) amendment Bill next session. T]

proceedings, while the doors we ß closed, are said to have been mew amusing. Mr Joyce, M.H.E. for Lytteltcflt spoke iour hours and twenty minutes, defla on end. He filled up his speech with long quotations, indeed in one instance he from Hansard a whole debate on wi Hospital Bill. A point of order was raiswl upon this, but the Speaker ruled with <»y sarcasm that a member was allowed Jjp quote from a book although it was Miusual to quote the whole book. Seveßl other points of order were raised to hmp Air Joyce in his undertaking. Some w&fe of a most absurd character. Mr Speajfer entered into the spirit of the thiSjij, and ruled; with inimitable gravity aSti with immense dry humor. In one instaaee a rather startling statement was made J»n which another member drew the attention of the Chair to the extraordinary assfetion made by the member who was spefifing. Sir Maurice O'Korke listened gravffly, and then replied, " I think the hon. me 9§i" ber is not out of order, but I must nevertheless rule that in making such a statement as he has done he undoubtoigy runs a risk—(and here he maap£a long pause, and then continuedßf§tf having it reported." (Loud lauglHߣ) I should be afraid to say how many nus the House wa3 counted. One ineiepr assures mc that he himself had it couflpd sixteen times, and others did their gttll share. Whenever Mr Joyce came t^jP l6 full point somebody jumped up and c *ft? l i attention to the state of the House. one occasion, however, this flagged, pd Mr Joyce feeling tared and resting him* If, complained to the Speaker that t| re was not a quorum in the Ho] ie. Sir Maurice politely replied that ; he hon. member was at liberty to add! ss empty benches if he chose, but that if? hie desired to have anybody to listen to hiu tie (the Speaker) would ring ior a Cjiiorf&i. Mr Joyce intimated that he was consul bd with an overpowering anxiety that bs eloquence should not be lost, and so \ je ringing took place. The whole pfcceedings were most good humored afid amusing, and it is a pity that they eou|d not be reported, although no doubt in that case members would have adopted a lofe lively tone. The Bill, of course, \«h effectually killed for the session. Eb