PARLIAMENTARY NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6146, 29 July 1881, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS AND GOSSIP.

- —— « [Bi" TELEGRAPIf. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.! .Wellington-, Thursday. THE EXPECTED DIVISION. Tue galleries.are crowded to-night in anxious expectation of the division, but Mr. Scddon took up the whole of the evening to the supper adjournment at 10.30, making one of his usual dreary orations, chiefly remarkable for the peculiar use of aspirates. When the House resamed at 11 expectation was on tiptoe it being generally believed that the Houso would divide at once. However, Mr. J. B. Fisher roso and spoke. The Opposition whips say they are ready to take the divison directly he concludes. The estimate of the respective number remains unaltered, the Government beiug still supposed to have a majority of four. Mr. Fisher is the 48th member who has spoken during the debate, and the 26th who has declared against the Government. The other 25 are Messrs. Andrews, Ballance, Gisborne, Grey, Harris, Hutchison, Jones, Levestam, McDonald, Montgomery, Mo3s, Ormond, I'yke, Reeves, Reid Scddon, Shepherd, Shrimiski, Taiaroa, Tawliai, To Wheoro, Tomoaua, Turnbnll, Wallis, and Wood. The 22 speakers who declared for the Government are: Messrs. Bowen, Bryce, Bunny, Collins, Gibbs, Hall, Hursthouse, Johnston, Lovin, McLean, Murray, Pitt, RichardsoD, Russell, Saunders, Seymour, Sutton, Trimble, Wakefield, Weston, Whitaker, and Whyte. The other 23 votee counted on by the Government whips are: Messrs. Allwright, Atkinson, Bain, Beethara, Brandon, Colbeck, Dick, Fin, Fox, Hirst, Hurst, Kelly, Kenny, Masou, MoCaughan, Moorhouse, Rolleston, Shanks, Stevens, Studholine, Swanson, and' Wright. Total, 45. Mr. Fisher appears now (11.15) to be drawing to a close, and if, as is stated, nobody follows him, the question may be settled in a few minutes.

THE BUSINESS. The order paper now contains 44 notices of motion, 53 Bills in various stages, and three suspended debates. Two hundred and sixty petitions have so far been presented, and 111 papers laid on the table. ABSENCE OF NEWS. There 13 absolutely no political news or gossip stirring to-day. All attention is being concentrated on the impending division. THE DIVISION. Mr. Fisher concluded at 11.40 p.m., and there was a general cry of "Question." On the Speaker asking if any other member desired to address the House, a ioud shont of "No," and the question was immediately put. The "Ayes" were very mild, hut the "Noes" absolutely deafening in a stentorian shout which went forth. However, when the members went into their respective lobbies, it was abundantly evident that the volume of sound did not at all represent the respective strength of the parties. When members were going into the lobbies, somo in the excitement of the moment started at first towards the wrong side, amid loud applause, but soon recollected themselves. Some, evidently Oppositionists, tried to drag over Mr. Hurst and Mr. Swanson by main force until sternly called to order by the Speaker. The result was declared amid vociferous cheers and counter cheers —a majority of fonr for the Government, viz., 41 against 37. There were 4 pairs, the only member who did uot vote or pair, excepting the Speaker, was Mr. Driver. The division list you will find tears out my prognostication.

RUMOUR OF ANOTHER TRIAL. Directly after the division Mr. Lundon rose and supported the second reading of the Bill. There is still a rumour that the Opposition will move that the Bill be committed this day six months, but it is generally understood that after the expression of opinion on the part of the Government supporters the Government will not proceed with the Local Government Bills, relegating the question to the electorates. THE "WAIUKU RAILWAY. The Opposition are holding out as bait for the- Northern votes the promise that if they win, and the Government are defeated, the Waiuku railway is to be surveyed forthwith. I have this on the authority of Major Harris.