HOW MR. HULL FAILED TO SHEPHERD THE MAORI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1516, 3 October 1868, Page 6

HOW MR. HULL FAILED TO SHEPHERD THE MAORI.

, (fboji a coehbsfondent.) September 28. The Ministerial party here is doing all it can. to represent the vote, of Saturday morning as a victory, and the opposition as terribly cast down at the result. But in both the Government is | wrong. Fox knew to a man on whom he could rely, and there was scrrcely a vote that could be changed on either side. The Ministry did every thing it could to withdraw some of Pox's men, ' and even after Mr. Ormond had been appointed teller on Fox's side, Mr. Richmond tried to get him to desert his colors and vote with, the Noes. Your Mr. Hull did all he could to get Patterson (Maori) out of the way, and incapable of voting, and had him out of the House, and down the avenue, when Reynolds discovered the trick and gave chase. On coming up to the two he asked Patterson for whom he was to vote, and on being told Mr. McLean, Reynolds snid then come with me, we are to vote now. Hull still tried hard to get Patterson away, but on Reynolds clenching his list aud asking Hull if he saw that, the latter desisted and P. was taken back in triuiuph. Haughton during the earlier part of the evening went to Fox and complained bitterly of Stafford putting off the debate after lie (Haughton) had got all his men up for the vote. Pox believing tills told some of liis friends that the debate would not close that night, and it was arranged who were to continue the debate for the evening, your Superintendent and another Aueklaud man being ready to speak. Subsequently, however, it was discovered that it was a ruse, and Fox immediately gave the hint to his friends. This created a general hubbub in the House. On finding that ill his own men were secured, including Patterson, the signal was given to close the debate. .McLean on being called for at onec responded, having first asked Mr. Williamson, ike., if they would forgo their right of speaking. Thus tlie debate was closed sooner than the Government expected and with a result which it did not expect. The Opposition is not at all cast down at this. The reduction of the former majority of seven to a tie was a real victory ; and if the Government tries to carry on with its present majority, it will find out who has lost and who has won. It is in truth impossible for it to carry on, unless it carries out the principles of the Opposition, and that won't be allowed. Not a syllable has yet escaped as to the intentions ol Mr. Stafford. There is to be a meeting of his friends to-day, and most likely when the House meets to-morrow he will state what course he intends to follow. Till then nothing can be said.

As to the second division. I may explain how Harrison of Wanganui deserted his colours, lie was very peculiarly situated with his constituents —they having requested him to support Fox. His own leanings I believe were with Stafford; but thinking he could serve his constituents without unseating the Ministry, he voted with Fox. On discovering the result of the vote, and finding another vote was about to take place, he fairly ran out of the House.