WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 552, 2 December 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

:♦ ' • ! '[BY .TELEGRAPH.] , ■ (FBOM OUB OWNCORRESPONDEirr). ' ";•. \ Wellington, Monday; : I Politically thei day haa been a holiday. The House did not nieetin the afternoon, and all interest 'was centred in the Masonic ceremony, which was. a v.cry grand one. ! ; .. '„.;.. . ; '„/.; \ A bill haa, : been introduced by Mr entitled Confiscated; Lands, Inquiry and -Maori Prisoners Trials, Act. 1879." The preamble sets out, inter, alia, ■ that the natives allege that promises havebeen made by the Government in respect to the confiscated lands, and that such promises have not be.en fulfilled. It is also alleged that their discontent may be removed by. inquiry being made into- the said promises, and into the grievances of the natives. After setting forth that 1 "it is indespqnsable for the peace and safety' of the colony that the .ordinary course of law should be suspended, and that the trials of the natives should take place under special legislation," the bill goes on to providethat the Government may appoint three persona to be commissioners to inquire into the native grievances. The comxjaianioners have to report within four months after the date of such commission, and are to receive such reasonable remuneraiion as the Government ■ may prescribe, together with their •; expenses. ':' In order that the .peace of the colony, may be preserved/ it ia left to the

i§|ernor{to|^lft|^daj^ of the trial of |w Mao^i priaipnersfcaSid his Excellency is aKo empow^^jto a®, the place of trial, Act is toiMmainpM force until thirty SB? t* te 5 e l^ >r ?^S? m ent of the next Sp%ieri»g^olnpany,whd.Mr Siiti ton said in his evidence was with hini when he went to Noinoi'ti pah, has been telegraphed for to Sydney, his evidence 110 (WShephardjhas-mpreii forileWe to iritrqdice.ftlbiJl: to .:fitoMd_the"Civiliißt salari6sj)f J^linisters. • > iv - f£LWip