PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Issue XVI, 3 December 1879, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

j [FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.} Wellington, Tuesday. REPENTANT MEMBERS. The members of the House have repented their generosity, and by a considerable majority repealed the self-denying resolution they had passed in a fit of unintentional virtue the other night. In other words, they have restored to the Estimates the 20 guineas a-piece which they knocked off the honorarium. CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILL. Sir George Grey's bill to amend the Constitution Act is printed. Iu all essential particulars it resembles the Government bill of list session, by which a permanent board is periodically to rcdi.-tribute the representation, but such redistribution is to be subject to the approval of the House. ECONOMY. The Hou»e struck out a large sum from the Public Works vote, but it was only the semblance of eaving, as, in moßt cases, the liabilities have actually been incurred, and the amount will simply have to be carried forward to next year's estimat s. THE AGENT GENERAL. There was a good deal of talk last night over the Agent-General's Department, especially as to Sir J. Vogel's contemplated candidature for Falmouth. Mr. Levin, Mr. Moorhous*, Mr. Bowen and others thought he wonll bo more useful than ever in Parliament, and the majority of the House seemed of this opinion, as the vote passed as printed. ATTEMPT AT REDUCTION. Mr. Luckie's salary also gave rise to some talk, but it was ultimately passed at £SOO. An attempt was made to reduce the salary of Mr. Knight, the Insurance Actuary, by £300, but it failed. MINISTERS' SALARIES. Mr. Shephard has, to-day, introduced a hill to re.luco Ministers'salaries all round, to £1000 a year. YOUNG NEW ZEALAND. The Young New Zcalanders have ap pointed Mr. Hislop and Mr. Moss to specia'ly watch the Property Assessment Bill through committee. AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL LOAN BILL. In the Legislative Council this evening, the consideration of the adverse report of the Auckland Loans Consolidation Bill was called mi. whereupon Dr. Pollen rose, and yave a full explanation of the necessity for, aud the objects of the bill, stating that a compromise had been expected, by which it was agreed that the amount proposed to be raised by loan should be reduced by £100,000 for general purposes. On stating the circumstances which rendered the passage of the bill an urgent necessity, Dr. Pollen took occasion to express his disapproval of the too rapid progress of municipal public works in the city, alleging that many enormous cuttiugs for new streets had been doue years before they should be. Colonel Whitmore spoke briefly, but more in oppo-ition to Dr. Pollen—whom he cll.lr.4ed with grave inconsistency—than to the'hi 1 itself. Mr. Whitaker spoke shortly, yet clearly, in support of the bill, aHmiiu" in terms of high praise to the arrangement made to abolish the Improvement Commissioners. The bill was then ordered to be called for the second reading next day, and its passage m-.y be now considered beyond doubt.