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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1077, 24 August 1869, Page 3

. ACouNTf Out.— The sitting of the . House of Representatives came to an abrupt and unexpected termination last night, shortly after 7 o'clock, through a *', count out" — the first ofthe session. The Speaker took the chair precisely at seven, and was about proceeding with the business of tbe evening, when Mr. Bunny, who was the only occupant of the Opposition benches, called his attention to the Btato of the House. The bell was ordered to be rung, and the Speaker turned his glass, ana, when the sand, was run, he . declared that only 16 members were present ; and, consequently, the House, stood adjourned for the next three days. The . names of those who were present were requested to be taken down. Immediately "afterwards a number of members, came crowding in — Messrs. Hall and Stafford among the rest—who glanced at the clock, and pretended to be much surprised at the state of affairs. Mr. Bunny, however, who first called the Speaker's attention to the paucity of members, did not again put in an appearance. The Government party were much annoyed at this contretemps, especially Mr. Wilson, who proposed to stop the honorarium, and devoutly thanked God that there would be sittings on Mondays foi? the future. The fact seems to be that it was a pre-arranged affair on. the part of the Opposition members, but. as they had had a pretty severe day's work, ; ft very pleasant solace for which was offered, at^the hospitable mansion of Mr. DometJt, they were scarcely to be blamed. As for Mr. .'Bunny, whether, as was said, he was< carrying, out the wishes of his party or acting on his own responsibility, he has shown himself a benefactor to the hard worked .representatives of the press, and deserves their gratitude accordingly. — . Evening Post, August 21. Thb Pbess Gagging Bill.— The Taranaki Herald says : — We mentioned the : other day that the Hon. Mr. Scotland had introduced a bill to amend the existing law which puts the printer in the Eowerof the common informer. . Someow : a blunder has . occurred, and . the bill has not , been proceeded with. From a . private letter we gather that a bill had been, prepared by the late Government for introduction in the House of Representatives at the same time the Hon. Mr. Scotland asked leave to introduce a similar one in the Upper House. The consequence was that Mr. Scotland withdrew his. Since the new Ministry havo come into office, this amendment bill has been .passed over, and the Government •_ state, that they have no intention of introducing it this session. It is possible , tbat another bill willyet.be introduced. If the, Government offer no objection, our . members for the town of New Plymouth .will ask .leave, to bring one in to amend ; the existing law. . The Pioneer. Steel Wobks at Taran- . aki have been completed successfully, so . far 4 as to allow the first smelting to take ; place. The patent noiseless fan, previously, mentioned as having been brought from Melbourne, has been erected, and works well. . "It revolves (says the Herald) about eighty times to one turn of the . /water-wheel, and when we state that the .' wheel can be driven at the rate of 12 evolutions a minute, we leave our readers, to imagine the draught caused by the fan , through air tubes into the furnace. All the. castings that havo been required in . connection with the works have been done oi| the spot. On Monday last a prelimi..^ary:.trial.was made to test. the blasi. Tlie furnace was charged for that purpose 1 ," but sufficient precautions to prevent a cold hearth was not taken, and consequently the metal cooled before it was tapped." • However, we learn by a private' . letter, ! from Mr. Seffern, that a more . successful effort was afterwards made. '„ Mr\ Wood, who came in from the works ; oa.'the evening of the 18th, reported that , -tlie sinelting operations were most success"lid,' and that the metal ran like water / thit morning at about 7 a.m. Sib Geobgs; Gbey does not seem to have, forgotten us. In England, as formerly in New Zealand, he uses every . effort in his power for the advancement of v the country he tajkes so deep an interest in, and raises his voice to denounce any . attempts to slander or injure it. The European Mail, in the report of a meeting . ;6f the National Association for the promotion of social science, says :— ** Sir George Grey undoubtedly made the speech of the .evening., lie referred more especially to Lord. Granville's late despatch to the Governor of. New Zealand, and asserted . that it would probably lead .to fresh Ho characterised it as "a .series of misstatements from beginning ■.'•ita. end." y. "My heart," he exclaimed, "is ahnost breaking at the accounts ... I've lately received from New Zealand." .The veteran Governor spoke so quietly, .... and jet so eloquently, that he . evidently Carried the meeting with him. He went roa to state that, in his opinion, the Colonial .Secretary ought at least to have a council, like the Indian Secretary, to advise him. Untold injury had accrued, he !^j£Merted„to the Colonies from the ignoranoe of the heads of the Colonial Office, pi'iiyrM iwWfi^VJpPm^to their high duties !,M_^»s£mtijr;^ without the. least, previous ■""jmubi*^ Evening Post, August 21.