WELLINGTON CITY LEASING BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12698, 28 October 1904, Page 3

WELLINGTON CITY LEASING BILL.

THE " LONE HAND" STONE-

[WALL.

A FOUR HOURS' SPEECH.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Wellixgton.j Thursday.

Me. T. Kennedy Mac Donald's "lonehand" stonewall on the Wellington City Leasing" Bill, in the Legislative Council last evening, was not altogether devoid of incident. His reading. of the printed evidence given before the Local Bills Committee was carried out under a running fire of chaff, and at times to a loud chorus of snores.

About half-past twelve Mr. Twomey arrived, sat down near Mr. Mac Donald, and fixing a baneful glare upon him, saidj " You are talking rubbish." "The hon. gentleman has been outside," rejoined Mr. Mac Donald, " he has been away for two hours." This statement was resented by the member concerned. Mr. Twomey denied that be had been absent fo; two hours. " But, sir," he added, "if I were absent for four hours while the hon. member is going on at this rate there would be nothing remarkable in that." Mr. Twomey was ruled out of order: and departed.' The worn out members were then favoured with a further assortment of evidence. •

Mr. Jenkinson rose to 'a point of order, and protested against further evidence being read, or at any rate, against. unnecessary repetition." Give us something new," he wailed; but with a favourable ruling by the chairman to back. him up, Mr. Mac Donald held steadily on his course. Stentorian snores burst through the gloom at one o'clock this morning, emanating from the gallery. At the solicitation of Mr. MacDonald, who was still discussing evidence, the*Acting-Speaker sent a messenger to waken the source of the nasal disturbance, who turned out to be a member from the Lower House, and his rude awakening caused roars of laughter. At twenty minutes to two o'clock this morning the quorum bell was rung, and a quorum not being obtainable (only nine members being present), the Council was "counted out," and at once adjourned. Mr. Mac Donald has now to his credit the record long speech of the session, lie having held the floor for exactly four hours. When the Council resumed fit half-past two this afternoon, Mr. Mac Donald " threw up the sponge," and the Bill passed its final stages. . .•■•■■'.