WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2685, 25 September 1871, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRBSrONDENT.) September 21. Since my last letter the attention of Parliament has been called to Otago with regard to two measures —the Dunedin Waterworks Bill and the Waste Lands Bill. Upon both there was the usual free fight between the members for the Province. Mr Reynolds has charge of the Waterworks Bill, and moved its second reading ; his colleague. Mr Bathgate, violently opposed it, and moved that it be read a second time “this day six months. ” Mr Macandrew and others supported Mr Reynolds, and I suppose it may be presumed that Mr Reid and Co. were with Mr Bathgate, although they discreetly gave no utterance. The second reading was, however, carried ; and the Bill is now passing throueh committee. Upon Tuesday night Mr Reid moved the second reading of the Waste Lands Bill. He very wisely avoided all reference to the proceedings of the last few years upon the subject in which he is understood to have taken an active and not very satisfactory part. Pointing out the Unmitigated blessings of the new Bill, he was careful to rouse no echoes of the “ wretched past, ” and was evidently under the impression that the House would at once consent to the second reading, and make glad the hearts of the “liberal” leaguers. Mr G. M'Lean Boon undeceived him in a (for him) lengthy speech ; he went into the whole history of the compromise and its results, all well known to your readers, and expressed himself justified in the deduction that if the Hundreds Regulation Act was an unqualified evil, Mr Reid chose to inflict this upon the people rather than relinquish office. Mr M'Lean concluded by moving that the Bill be read a second time ‘ 1 this day six months. Several members took .part in the debate, but as I was unavoidably absent, I must refer you for their speeches to Hansard or the local press. When I returned to the gallery, Mr T. L. Shepherd bad just sat down, and I was given to understand had distinguished himself by one of his celebrated stump orations of a more ridiculous character even than his average, which is saying a good deal; even the Maories were moved to laughter. Mr Wakefield moved the adjournment of the debate in a speech full of bitter denunciation of the Government not having expressed an opinion upon the subject. This brought up Mr Vogel, who statedxnembersof Government hadhad no chance of getting a word in edgeways, but that he approved of the a - journment, and inle'uled on the next occasion to speak upon the Bill. Mr Bathgate could see no reason for adjourning, and went off at a tangent upon the main question, favoring the House with a taste of his quality in the land war dance line, premonitory symptoms of a great effort to come when the debate is resumed. The adjournment to Friday being generally approved, was carried without a division about 1 a.rn. Upon the motion for the second reading of the Goldfields Bill, Mr Murray, who is fast earning the reputation of being the greatest bore in the House, rose, as he first said, to oppose it; but being prompted audibly by his fdus Achates, the member for the Dunstan, moved that the debate be adjourned for a week, to give him time—heaven save the mark!—to comprehend the measure. Mr Haughton did not see the necessity for delay, urging that as the Bill had to be remitted to the Goldfields Committee after the Bocond reading, the sooner it was in their hands the better. The Government eventu ally consented to an adjournment for a couple of’ days, ns the Bill had been so very recently circulated. Mr Stafford the same evening rather embarrassed the Government by moving as an amendment to the resolution for now going into Committee of Supply—“ That the House do resolve itself into guch Committee upon Tuesday next.” He expressed his opinion that it was not possible fully to discuss the financial policy until the House had that policy fully before it by the production of the Bill necessary to give it effect. On the part of Ministers it was objected that this was not a usual course, and that in fact the form of the Bill must be to a great extent dependent upon the decision of the House on the various points of the policy. After some discussion, it was eventually decided to adjourn the question until Thursday, then to proceed with the ordinary estimates, leaving the general discussion of the finance until a later date; further details as to proposed public works, &0., being in the meantime brought down. The Motmka election committee have, you are aware, unseated Sir D. hjunrp and declared Charles Barker duly elected ; great sympathy Is felt for David upon all of thc House —he was an excellent arid popular Speaker for a period of over ton years, and is a polLhed and accomplished gentleman. The Committee, however, could only take into consideration the facts of the case, and James Hegan’s personation of his father having been clearly proved, the seat undoubtedly belonged to Mr Parker. Politically, the Government lose an influential and determined opponent, and gain an old and tried supporter ; this, with the election of Mr John Williamson and Mr M‘G ashan, very materially increases their strength in the House ; it is generally thought indeed whatever might have beep the chances earlier in the session, tfic pppositiop have now no r%w ; j.f, lafcipg it for gj’auted 'thai 1 ministers avoid grave indiscretions orpalpable blunders in conducting the business of the House, It is rumored that Mr John Hall may yet join the cabinet as Minister of Publ c Works ; this would be a very satisfactory arrangement to the House, and would go far to instil confidence in the effective administration of this all important department it would further meet the reasonable desire of the Southern members, that they should bo represented in the Government by a man whose position, ability and integrity are above all question. Mr J. C. Brown has not distinguished himself this session by any efforts at oratory, nor risked his life by attempting to bring in a Bill. He is very busily engaged at present in the attempt to whip up a majority for Mr Reid’s i and Bill; but his “button holding” seems hardly likely to be as successful here as amongst the Otago M.P.C.s, and “ charm lie ever so wisely,” I pr- clict his trouble will be in vain, and his pot measure consigned jo the “tomb of the Capulets.*’ The upliappy Meyvyn seems to have incurred the wrath of k(r T: L- Sli’epherd, who is’ constantly gi>djiig ftt him- \k few days ago tberp whs quite H scene. The member for the Dunstan, rising as usual with a premonitory snort, a swelling out of the chest, and a glance at the repottets’ gallery, detected something like a smile upon Mr Mervyn’s countenance, whereupon, in his wrath, lie glared upon that honorable member, and then and there,

in the august presence of Mr Speaker, stated that “he regretted to find that laughing jackasses had been acclimatised in the House in the person of the member for Mount Ida,” or words to that effect. Of course, he was called to order, and will probably, from the expression of feeling evoked, avoid such exhibitions for the future. The House was occupied during the afternoon sitting yesterday with the address of Mr Smythies at the bar Mr Travers, on behalf of the Law Society, was in attendance. Th ro seems a pretty general opinion that Mr Smythies has been hardly dealt with, and that there has been a considerable amount of personal spite exhibited in his case. What remedy may be in the power of Parliament is beyond my ken. There was no sitting last night in consequence of the birthday ball at Government rlouse. It was a regular olla podrula, a large number of Maories, male and female, forming a component part.