Wellington Gossip.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7913, 30 November 1887, Page 3

Wellington Gossip.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) (FROM OUK SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, Tn«sday. THE LAND BILL. The Minister for Lands this afternoon moved the second reading of this important bill in a plain practical speech. The measure is in marked contrast to the experimental land legislation to which we have been accustomed for' some years past. The Opposition , take great objection to the proposed abolition of the Waste Lands Boards, and an effort is certain to be made to get the clauses referring to that matter struck out. On the whole, however, the bill is generally approved, but there will be a lengthy discussion over it before it goes te the Waste Lands Committee. , THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. It is now definitely decided that the Public Works Statement will be delivered on Tuesday next. After that interesting manifesto is brought down the work of the session will soon slip through, provided there is no organised obstruction to the estimates. FINANCIAL REFORM. , The following telegram was received today by Mr D. Goldie, the raemberfor Auckland West;, from the chairman of the Auckland Financial Reform Association:— "The committee remain strongly of the opinion expressed in their telegram to yoiron the 6th insfc., that the Government financial ' retrenchment proposals should h/ive precedence of all others, and reiterate the hope that the Auckland members will patriotically support that course by_ giving immediate practical effect by legislative enactment to the proposed reductions in departmental appropriations." THE OWHAOKO CASE. This celebrated question came before the House again this afternoon. It arose through Mr Carroll asking the Native Minister on whose instructions or by whom were the extracts of evidence in the Owhaoko case selected which have recently been furnished to members ? Mr Mitchelson replied- that it wrs by the instructions of the' late Government. Mr Carroll then pointed out that only certain portions of the evidence were printed which reflected on particular persons, and he thought it was an improper thing that the Legislature should be made use of for the purpose of disseminating scandal against individuals, by publishing onesided evidence in that manner. He hoped the whole of the available evidence would be printed. Dr. Newman supported the proposal for printing the remainder of the evidence. He said that he had had a letter from Sir Walter Duller to the effect that he contemplated returning to the colony for the purpose of taking action against those 'who had libelled him in connection with this case. Mr Mitchelson then promised to have any further evidence that might he obtained printed, and the matter dropped. Mr Carroll informed me that he intended speaking on the subject at some- length, and wished to read portions of the printed evidence to which he objected, but he was prevented from doing so by the forms of the House, it not being competent for the adjournment to he moved at that particular time. A' STRING OF QUESTIONS. There were to-day no less than 43 questions on the order paper on every variety 'of subject, and the replies to them occupied the chief portion of tho afternoon sitting. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. As I previously informed you, the Legislative Council is Bharply criticising tho Midland railway contract, and it is reported this afternoon that it will probably be rejected. The Council are contending for the insertion of a similar clause to that proposed by Mr Downie Stewart, providing against a money guarantee by the colony, but which was rejected by the House. Sir Frederick Whitaker, the Attorney-General, has given it as his opinion that the clause as it stands ii sufficient for the protection of the colony lmfc the Council am determiner! to hav< , . this made perfectly clear to preveut anj possible misunderstanding in future. Thj Government were oppose&to this provisi in case it should prejudice the under taking .in the opinion of tho Londoi .■'. i

financiers who are to supply the funds foi the construction of the railway. I under stand, however, that the Council insist or the proviso, or they will reject the whole thin;;. It is reported to-night that the Government will consent to their proposal in order to protect the contract. THE PROTECTIONISTS' MARCH. Sir Julius Vogel'and his followers have been unmercifullychaffed over their action in marching out of the House yesterday on Major Atkinson's motion, after their repeated taunts to the Government to put the question to a direct vote. "Puff" refers to the affair to-night as follows :— "Yogel looked rather foolish yesterday walking out of the House followed by only eight members. The noble nine ! How can men make such a holy sjiow of themselves?" "It wasn't a very impoeing performance!" " Awful tommy-rot ! But Yogel will never be contented till he hasn't a single follower left ! He seems determined to burst himself all to little pieces while he is about it !" " Wasn't he nasty too ? " "As savage as a bear with a sore tail!" "Yes, he talked about his studied courtesy to his opponents, and then he called Fisher a liar and Atkinson an imbecile ! " "Ha ! ha ! He reminded me of the Bosun in ' Peter Simple ' who- used to begin by saying ' Allow me to observe in the politest manner in the world,' and ended by calling a fellow ' a pea-soup swilling, deck scrubbing, cock-eyed son of • a .'•"• "Which? I've forgotten that!" "Hum. You're like Mr Speaker, yon pull a chap up before he's said anything unparliamentary." " Well, that's better than having to call him to order for it afterwards, isn't it?" HAWKE'S BAY MEMBERS. Mr Ormond and Captain Russell returned to-night.