WELLINGTON.

Dunstan Times, Issue 222, 27 July 1866, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

(from our own corrsfondnt.) July 10. The New Parliament has commenced its first session on the 3rd inst. The. Governor, Sir George Grey, delivered his opening speech, it touched upon most of the leading topics, but taken as a whole, it was meagre in the extreme. Sir David Munro, was elected Speaker in the House of Representatives. The reply to the address was moved by an Otago man, Mr Robert Campbell, junr., member for Oamaru, also a member of the firm of Campbell and Low Alexandra. He did it very well for so young a beginner and seems at present to be very favorably regarded by the members of the House generally. A ..rather amusing scone oecured the other day Between two Otago men, Mr Reynolds and Mr Darns, during a debate upon the Militia Question. The former it appears, spoke in rather a sneering manner of this body, winch excited the wrath of the latter, and in that spasmodic style so peculiar to him, he said, amidst the roars of the House, " that he wished he could tell off a party of four of his Taieri Volunteers, to take that 'honorable duller,' into custody.' - The word was new in the House, tickled its fancy, and called forth a leading article in the Independent. Nothing of importance, has as yet, occurred. Thfi-UTrVift' uv f Alvp PiteiJeon the nil with the southern members, and the consequent 'filling up of the Uouse, will, no doubt, bring out something during the week. Amongst the members by the Phoebe, I noticed Messrs Vogel, Haughton, Dick, and Capt. Baldwin. The great question at present is undoubtedly the Provincial and Central Governments. It requires but the smallest spark in this direction to cause a commotion and the total disruption of parties as at present constituted. There is to be a meeting this evening of Otago members to decide, I presume, upon their future action. Not much chance, however, of agreement, I fancy, on the leading questions of the day. July 17. During the past week, politics have been at a stand still. The Asssmbly has been now sitting for a fortnight, at a considerable expense to the country, amounting to something like L2OO per day, and no measure of any importance has as yet been passed; no legislation eiFecting the country has even been entered upon. Members seem in what may be termed a nebulous haziness respecting one another's opinions. The old landmarks of party are blotted out, or I should rather say, swamped, by the large introduction of new ideas and young blood. Meantime, the old hands pass their time principally in sounding the views of their younger brethren. During the past week, Otago members have daily sat in solemn conclave. What has been done among them cannot be stated for certain, as a great amount of reserve and mystery has been thrown over their movements; but, judging from the excited knots in which they are to be met with all over the house, it may be supposed that subjects of great importance have been discussed, without much unanimity; indeed, it is generally mentioned that they are divided upon the great question of the Session—the question !of £eperation. The young up-country men refusing to ally themselves with the town representatives. The Laud question too, I understand, has raised very warm feelings, and meeting after meeting has taken place, without anything like unanimity. The probability is, it will be again lost this year. I said, in a preceeding paragraph, that no measures of any importance had as yet been introduced, I am wrong. A motion ol great importance to the goldfields was moved by Mr Haughton, and seconded by Capt. Baldwin. The motion was the appointment of a Committee, consisting of Mr Bell, Mr Bradshaw, Mr O'Neil, Mr Vogel, Major Richardson, Capt. Baldwin, IM.- Hall, Mr Carleton, and Mr Moorhouse,

to consilodate and amend aT existing Goldfield's Acta. Already, I believe, the Speaker's summons has been issued requiring tlio attendance of Mr Pyke, Mr Cu len, Mr Nugent Wood, of Nokomai, Mr Broad, Arrow; Mr t-alo, liokitika; and Mr Kyunessly, Nelson; to give evidence upon the various important matters which will arise. Mr Haughton deserves, I think, great credit for taking the matter up. Mr Stafford, the premier, has, I see, amongst other things, introduced a Bill to amend the Representation Act. This Bill, I believe, takes away from the goldtowns the privileges they now possess of having a double vote—one for the boroughs and the other for the district. It is fully expected, the present week will be an important one. The wise ones of the House shake their heads when they see Whitaker and M'Andrew together. And the eyes of one of our Otago members, well-known in province, are said to twinkle with delight, no doubt he sniffs the approaching battle. I forgot to say that Mr Bradshaw's motion for the reduction of the duty on Gold, is to come on for discussion to-day. It will be, 1 hear, supported by Major Richardson, Mr Bell and the great body of runholders; but wi'l, no doubt, be strenuouU) opposed by the Canterbury men. The cable across Cook's Strait, is to be laid down about the 24th. When this is done the Dunstan will be within speaking distance of Wellington, provided your line to Dunedin is in working order.