WELLINGTON. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, 18th July, 1866.

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 127, 26 July 1866, Page 2

WELLINGTON. ( FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ) Wellington, 18th July, 1866.

Since my last communication, little has boen done towards the real business of the session, and member* havo begun to complain of the groat waste of time and money. Mr Stafford'sposition, however, is rather an embarrassing one, as his ministry is composed of gentlemen holding views so antagonistic to each other. Mr Stafford and Mr Jollie are staunch anti-separa-tiomsts, whist Mr Paterson and Colonel Haultain are in favor of your mode of separation. The Auckland members, who are Mr Staflord's principal supporters are all pledged to separation, and Mr Whitaker, their leader, has announced in the House that on thi« question they will all vote as one man. It is, therefore, not to be wondered at that Mr Stafford ahould not wish to provoke a quarrel with so large a portion his supporters, and therefore, like a skilful general he waits for the attack. ' I do not think, however, that separation as Auckland wishes it will be carried, their ideas of separation and those of the Otago members are so different as almost to preclude the possibility of their working together to achieve this result. Then, again, the Otago members are divided in their views ; some wish to extend powers of Prorincial Governments, and to contract those of the General Government. - This will be firmly resisted by the gentlemen representing country constituencies, as they have hitherto had too good reason to know how justice is dispensed to outlying districts. On one point they are united, viz., that the future expense of war incurred tfirough the acquisition of and from the natives ahull be hnm« Kv th» !>>»«;»..

t>f tho Northern Island ; in other words, that each Provinco shall bo compelled to maintain order at its own cost within its boundaries. It was moved, at a meeting of Otngo members, that a district Municipality Bill should bo introduced this session in tho General jVbsumbly, and Messrs Campbell, Vogcl, Cargill, and Ilaughton have been deputed to prepare tho bill and submit it to tho approval of Otago members, prior to its introduction in the House. I will send you a copy of tho Bill when it is finally completed, so that you may make any suggestions you may think advisable. It lias been decided to try tho Nelson murderers hero. Whether this is to give members some excitement, and to divert their attention from tho business of tho session, has not been announced, but I have little doubt but that the House will bo rather thinly attended during tho trial. I forgot to mention that tho cablo across Cook's Straits will bo laid in tho course of a fortnight, so that "*o shall bo brought in direct communication with all tho towns of tho Middlo Island.