PARLIAMENTARY NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6147, 30 July 1881, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS AND GOSSIP.

[BST TELEGIUufH.-r-SPBOIAL COKRESPOSDEKT.] i!.-:S.c .- ;1;._: .WeLLIKGTON, Friday... MR/dRMOND DISHEARTENED.^

Therels j quite a lull after last nighfc'i storm. > Mr. ; Ormond went away by the Rotomahana.to Napier, looking very crestfallen after.his defeat. It seems tolerably certain now that he fully counted on taking with him a large' section of the Government party, ana so being able to dictate his own terms, which it is generally supposed would ineludo the repeal of his especial detestation, the property tax.. However, all his plans have been subverted by the decisive defeat of himself and his new allies. He has gone home to recover his equanimity. His reputation a3 a political .public man has materially snffered* by this fasco, which he so undoubtedly brought on himself. THE OPPOSITION. Nothing has yet transpired regarding the future plans of the Opposition, but it is said that a caucus will be held "on the quiet" to-morrow to decide the further course of action. It is thought, however, that there will not be much more obstruction in view of the approaching elections, but that both sides will do their utmost to push on the business of the session to a conclusion. There seems a general feeling in favour of bringing the session to a close by the first of September, at the latest, if this can possibly be managed. > THE MINISTERIAL PARTY. I gather that the Government, in deference to the wishes of the party, will drop the Local Government Bills for this year, but a caucus of the Ministerial side is to be held, to-morrow, when Ministers will explain the course proposed to be taken, and ask the co-operation of their supporters in carrying it out, which there is little doubt will be readily.accoided. BUSINESS. , ; To-night is devoted to " jog-trot" work, such as the Gaming and Lotteries Bill, , etc. On Tuesday it will be proposed to take the debate on the Financial Statement—that is to say, the general financial policy of the Government as distinct from that of local finance. Great exertion will ba used to bring down the Representation Bill next week. Maps and schedules are being rapidly pushed on. The Railway Construction Bill is now all but ready for introduc; tion. Mr. Reid (Solicitor-General), Mr. Travers (for the Wellington - Manawatu railway), and Mr. Weston (M.H.R.), on behalf of the Canterbury and West Coast - line, are in daily consultation on the draft of the Bill, and I hear the last proof is now undergoing revision. The Premier will most likely deliver the Public Works Statement either on Friday next or on Tuesday week. Parliament will be asked to sit on Mondays after next week in order to expedite the progress of business, and it is expected that morning sittings to clear off routine business and unopposed matters will be proposed shortly. Everything is dull as ditch-water to-day after the recent "excitement.

THE LOTTERIES BILL. - The House has been all night in committee on the Lotteries BUI. ; CAUCUS. Opposition and Government caucuses have been fixed for to-morrow.