THE LAST DAy OF THE SESSION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 210, 7 September 1869, Page 2

THE LAST DAy OF THE SESSION.

0— (From, the Evening Post). For the last few days work rather thaa talk has distinguished the sittings of the House, and a large reserve of gas had therefore accumulated, which it was absolutely necessary should be let off. The second reading of the Appropriation Act yesterday afforded a convenient opportunity, and as it was probably the last which would occur this session ifc was eagerly seized on. After Mr. Vogel in formal terms moved the second reading, Mr. Stafford stood up, and, following the example of Mr. Fox last year, began an elaborate leview of the events of the session. According to his? showing the late Government had fallen victims to their own virtue; the late Administration had been an almost perfect one ; its schemes framed with superhuman wisdom, and its policy the only one which could save the Colony and end the war. The present Miuistry, ou the other hand, had aspired to office from motives of personal ambition, unillumined by a single thought of the good of the Colony. They had attained office under false pretences ; had since deliberately broken every promise ; falsified every pledge on which they had got into power; and had treated the House with deceit and contempt. Their policy was more extravagant, more aggressive, and more everything that it ought not to be, than that of the late Government ; and both the House and the country were now finding them out, and would soon be completely disgusted. This was the tone of the ex-Premier's speech, and he, of course, illuminated what he said by a variety of striking and startling instances, dwelling especially on the immense amount of appropriation, although only to provide for eleven months' services, and the many burdens placed on the Colony to provide funds for certain Provinces, the votes from which were so useful. Mr. Fox came, next, and made a long speech, the object of which was to show that the late Government had been demons in Ministerial form whose only aim, object and desire was to ruin the Colony and all in it, as quickly as possible ; that their every act had tended iu this direction ; that they possessed a thousand vices without a single redeeming virtue, and had been reckless, extravagant, nnd insincere. The present Ministry, on the contrary, were angels, with just such an amount of human nature as enabled them to sit on the Ministerial benches, a feat which angels pure and simple would nofc be able to accomplish, as, according to Tom Moore and other authorities, they lack the bodily conformation necessary to enable them to sit anywhere. The semiangelic Ministers had, with the mosfc complete self-sacrifice, come forward, from no personal feelings of their own, but anxious to offer themselves up on the altar of their country. Like Quintius Curtiiw they had boldly leaped into the threaten^ ing gulf, and even if it closed over and entombed them, they were satisfied, for they had saved their country. They were the most statemeu like, the most far-sighted, the most intelligent, the most economical, the most fortunate Ministry which the Colony ever possessed, and although the naughty demons had done all they could to thwart and defeat them, still the curtain would fall on virtue triumphant and vice trampled triumphant under foot. This was the tone of the Premier in esse, but he also had a fling at the " Cave," and, with questionable taste, at the Speaker and Chairman of Committees. Mr. Tanered, on behalf of the " Cave " and Sir David Munro, and Mr, Carleton on hia own behalf, administered dignified reproofs for the tone and the words used. Then followed a long dreary rechauffage of the no confidence debate, Mr. Bell, Major Heaphy, Mr." M'Lean and Mr. Vogel.glorifying themselves and their party, and Mr. Hall, Mr.- Richmond, and Mr. Travers pulling them to pieces, and lauding the late Government. The speeches were long, bitter, and personal, more bitterly personal iu fact than any which have been , delivered this session. The debate, if it could be called one, was indeed the grand flare up. of red fire which brings down the curtain, aud Mr. Richmond not unaptly termed it a scolding match. The speakers knew it would be the last opportunity they would have for some months to come . in indulging in a war of words, and therefore yielded, themselves to the greatest abandon and license. Ifc was not a pleasant exhibition, howererj and ifc was one

■which we trust will not be repeated in future sessions, for such a debate can only be productive of harm to the speakers and to the Colony, and is entirely unworthy of the dignified position which the General Assembly of New Zealaud has hitherto held amongst Colonial Legislature.

An Irishman was called up in a case of assault and battery, and when asked by the magistrate what he said to the complainant, remarked, " I said to him wid the toe iv ma boot, 'Go home I' " " Will yer honor take a car ?" said a Dublin car-driver to a gentleman. "No thank you, I am able to walk," replied the gentleman. "May ye long be able, hut seldom willin !" was the witty reply.