WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2682, 21 September 1871, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(FROM OUR OWN C( rrmpondent.) September 16. Reverting to the goldfields, a subject not uninteresting to Otago, resolutions were pro* posed having the object of reducing the miner’s right to 10s annually, and of authorising the issue of such document for periods of three, six, and twelve months ; both these proposals were referred to the Gold* fields Committee, which, through their chair* man, reported in each case against them. The new mining statute is not yet in th« hands of members, but the Colonial Secretary upon introducing the Bill, informed the House that it would be a consolidation of existing Acts, that no important changes of principle were contemplated, but that the Northern goldfields being on Native lands, and otherwise exceptionally situated, would be dealt with in a separate statute. The Goldfields Committee during the past week have been occupied with the question of Water Supply, and have recommended to the Home that it is not expedient that Go. vermnent should undertake the works themselves, but that the moneys available should be expanded by way of loan or guarantee to bona Jhk undertakings under certain regulations to be approved by the Governor, and that such expenditure or subsidy should not be confined to works for “water supply,” but be extended to sludge channels and the opening up of deep ground. Mr Haughtou, the chairman, brings down resolutions to this effect to the House in the course of next week. The question of the delega* tion of the Governors powers with regard to the goldfields is occupying much attena tion amongst the representatives of mining districts, and it is generally hoped that the General Government will assume the control, so as to take it out ef the power of the Provincial Councils and their intelligent ma* jorities to play “ducks and drakes" with the most important interest in the Colony. The Education Bill passed its second reading last week. The debate was very lengthy, and conducted altogether in a very temperate manner considering the question involved. Dr Moran, I may remark, was pre*

sent throughout the proceedings, in which he appeared to take a lively interest. In my last letter I gave a slight sketch of the proceedings up to that date. Some twenty members spoke afterwards, amongst whom may ho distinguished Mr Stafford, who most forcibly advocated denominational education, and Mr Haughton, who, as usual, pitched into the Otago system, which he designated as neither “ secular nor perfect.” Ho also excited some amusement by asking if the proposed high-class education was carried out to its logical sequence, “Who was to black the boots ? ” One of the best speeches in the debate was delivered by Mr Walter Johnston, member for Mauawatu, who stated the case of the Roman Catholics in a perspicuous and forcible manner. It was his maiden speech, and gives great promise of his future career. Mr Bunny spoke most effectively fr*m the same point of view, agreeing with Mr Haughton and others that the duty of the State began and ended with « elementary education,” and that anything beyond that should fairly be left to private enterprise. Many of the speakers, as usual, favoured the House with a very inferior rechauffie of other peoples ideas, spoken earlier in the debate. Mr Murray’s inane platitudes upon such a subject may he imagined ; Mr Reid and Mr Reynolds were Seat in dogmatic assertions, and poor Mr ervyn, choosing a bad time, had to address his turgid clippings to empty benches. The real fight will be upon Friday next, when the BUI is to be taken in committee at the evening sitting. A rather lively passage at arms took place on Friday evening between Mr Gillies and Mr Fox, with respect to certain recent proceedings in the Supreme Court at Nelson, in an action for libel brought by Sir D. Munro against the editor of the Colonist, who, it would appear, had accused him of having had the clock in the Assembly put hack upon a certain occasion in order to pass through a Bill. Mr Gillies, early in the session, tabled the following resolution “Mr Gillies to move, That a copy of the affidavit of the Honorable the Premier, filed in the Supreme Court, Nelson, in the case of Monro v. Luckio and Colons, be laid on the table of the House.” By some lache of the mover, this slipped to the bottom of the Order Paper ; and in the meantime Mr Fox tabled the following “ The Honorable Mr Fox to move, 1 hat a copy of the affidavits of Sir David Monro and Mr D. M. Luckie, filed in the Supreme Court, Nelson, in the case of Monro v. Luckie and Collins, he laid on the table of the House. Also, to ask leave of the House to lay on the table an affidavit by Geo. Maurice O’Rorke, Esq., relative to the putting back of the House clock by Sir David Monro, the then Speaker of this House, during a division in the session of 1862 ; and extracts from cotemporary newspapers reporting the debate which ensued upon a motion made by Mr Fox and seconded by Mr Carter, relating to the tting back of the clock on that occasion Also an extract from the Journals of this House, recording the said motion so made by Mr Fox,” which was the fclerrima causa belli upon the evening mentioned. Mr Fox, in introducing the motion, said a very few words—-merely that he wished the documents laid upon the table, really that the House might be in possession of the whole facts of the case. This by no means satisfied Mr Gillies, who, in a most intemperate speech. “ went in ” generally at the Premier and the Government, talked about the outrage to the dignity of the House ; and this brought several members to their feet, none of whom sympathised with the pseudo indignation of the Auckland Superintendent. Mr Fox finished him off completely in his reply ; hut the mail is closing, and I must refer you to Hansard for particulars.