WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6282, 22 June 1882, Page 3

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

IBY TELEGRAPH.] ' [FROM OTJB SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT."! \ ■';' YTbIIiINGTOh, Wednesday. The adjourned Opposition caucns was i held this morning, and lafjted nearly two - hodrs. The official report which has been '.furnished to the Prasa states that there fcwere 35 present, and 15 othera 'accounted for." I learn, however, from a "member who attended and ticked off the names, that the number waß 30, including Sir George Grey, Mr Montgomery, acid TMr Maeandrew, and that 14 were " act'cajuhtedfor," they being obliged to attend ' House committee meetings. There was a deal of discussion on the political .situation, but Sir George Grey took no : part in it. Captain M'Kenzie, who has hitherto been considered a supporter of Ministers, was present at the caucus, and 1 expressed himself strongly against the land policy of the Government. Mr M. W. Green and Mr Duncan, two other " doubtful" also attended, but refused to com.Mifc^themselves . to the Opporitkm "vTintU.they hare, -read.tha whole of the SKmftment propeaak. It waseventually -defeide^bh Mr Sheehan's motion, that if mittee of Supply on Friday the Opposition should resist this course. It was also »gree4 that Mr Sheohan shoula m9»o a

statement to the effect that tie party intended to refuse supplies until Ministers brought down their Public Works Statement and the remainder of their policy, as shadowed forth in the ' Financial Statelyenl-. Another meeting. of tne Opposition is to .be Held,. on S'fttu'r.day to jdeci^e da their' future Me of action— that is, supposing Ministers .decline to comply with their wishes. Tlie feeling id, pretty general, even amongst the supporters. of Ministers, that the whole of their policy should be submitted to the House as soon as possible, so that there may be no 6ght over it, and on this score they may fall in with the views of the Opposition. In case of a refusal by Ministers a division will be forced, but the Opposition intend having all their men in readiness in order ,to endeavor to mlike Ministers yield tb their demands* Mr Ivess took his seat in the House today, and Major Harris has been telegraphed to, so that he may lose no time in reaching Wellington. A debate of a rather acrimonious character ensued last night over the items of £100 each for the Chairmen of Public Petitions and Native Affairs Committees. The Opposition objected on the ground that it was purely a party move, so as to reward Mr Kelly and Colonial Trimble for their consistent' support to the Government. Mr Bryce and Major Atkinson warmly defended the vote, particularly the former, who said that from his experience of the work that devolved on the Chairman of the Native Affairs Committee the bonus of £100 was most hafdly earned; . , It is generally remarked that the consideration of the estimates has commenced, earlier this session than for many years past. Although there , } was. considerable wrangling over some of the 1 items 'laßt night, pretty fair, progress, was made, arid the committee on' ifteswhole was * a a good-humored nibocL A ludicioiis incident occurred in the House this afternoon while the motion that members should leave for the Christchurch Exhibition on Friday week was under discussion. Mr J; C. Brown, who generally flounders considerably beyond his depth in debate, was , Bpeaking to the motion when - the Speaker interrupted him by saying he was going altogether beyond the question be» fore the flouse. -Mr Brown at once replied, " Sir, I think I am wrong in replying to the Colonial Treasurer's remarks." Of conrse the House roared with laughter, ! but Mr Brown immediately corrected himself by substituting the word " right." He then made another start, looking acrpas very ferociously at the Colonial Treasurer, and wound up by saying, " So, sir, I think I was wrong in replying to the Treasurer." This time there was a perfect Bhout of laughter, which was altogether too much for Mr Brown, and he brought his remarks to an abrupt conclusion. Mr Buehanan has interviewed the Government with reference . to the appointment of a member of the Napier Harbor Boafd in Mr Thomas Tanner's place. He was informed by Major Atkinson that Mr J. H. Vautier would be appointed by the Government to fill the vacancy, and that the seat on the Hawke's Bay Waste Lands Board vacated by Mr Tanner's departure will be given to Captain Russell, should that gentleman consent to act on the Board. Mr Smith has presented a petition from 22 deferred-payment settlers at Ormondville, praying that .they may be allowed to take up a second section of land. A rumor was current this morning that a direct vote of want ; of confidence in Ministers would be moved after members return from their trip to Christohurch? :