New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1879.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 387, 12 July 1879, Page 14

New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1879.

A week hence Parliamentary news will once more be paramount. At present political rumors are rife, but it is exceedingly difficult to say how much or how little truth is contained in them. It is currently' reported that the Speech from the throne was to have been a most voluminous document. His Excellency, however, is said to have declined to be made a medium for the promulgation of views with which he had no sympathy, and which he thought unlikely to redound either to his own credit or to the good of the colony even if he undertook the disagreeable duty. The ex-Governor is known to de-

liglifc in making things as unpleasant as possible for those who have succeeded him as representatives of tho Royal authority ; and it is commonly supposed that Sir Geokoe Gkey is trying hard to raise or invent a pretext for picking a quarrel with the Governor for the time being, whoever he may be. There are certain men who never learn wisdom by experience, and even the recollection of the humiliating rebuffs which he received from the Marquis of Normaney are not enough to deter the Premier from attempting to assert his own supremacy upon every possible occasion. Judging by his memoranda and public utterances, if Sir George Grey could have his own way, he would glory in inserting in the Governor's speech a proposal for abolishing the Queen's authority here, and in° making her representative nullify his office by proposing that hencetorth the Governor of New Zealand should be elected by the people. The Marquis of Dormancy pointed out. on leaving the colony, that any such proposal meant neither more nor less than separation ; but oven that prospect does not daunt the intrepid breast of the only aspirant to the office of Governor by plebiscite. On Thursday evening Wellington was startled by a report that the Maori prisoners who are confined at the barracks had made an attempt to break out and regain their lost liberty. It appears that the last batch of prisoners who were brought down frown Taranaki included a number of bad characters, and that many of these had never accepted the inevitable consequences of their offences, or submitted to the discipline imposed. Their passive resistance assumed an active form on Thursday last, when Mr. Mackay explained to them that they would have to perforin the usual menial duties imposed upon prisoners. The chief then grew wrath, and exhorted his fellows to rebellion, but was forthwith removed to a separate cell. The rest of the prisoners proved equally unwilling to do the work required of them, and choosing a moment when there was but one constable in the room with them, endeavored to make their escape. _ This was prevented by the prompt arrival of the guard ; but those present declare that theirintention was sufficiently evident, and the visitors were certainly led to believe by the remarks made by the Maoris, that these men had allowed themselves to be arrested with a view of aiding the escape of their fellow-piisoners who had been previously arrested. Additional precautions will now be taken .to ensure their safe custody. By the latest account Te Whiti's madness has assumed a most extraordinary shape. He has been interviewed by some 300 of the wives of the prisoners who were arrested for carrying out his instructions. In answer to the deserted women's request as to what course they should adopt to effect their husbands' release, he informed them that they should proceed to Wellington, and walk three times round the wads of the gaol blowing horns, when the walls of the rjrison would fall down, and their husbands, sons, and brothers would, be free. The artful ingenuity of Te Whiti has caused a little merriment, and elicited a good deal of public admiration from the Europeans. Te Whiti was much to bo pitied, if he had been compelled to listen to the complaints of all the deserted women left unprovided for by the arrested prisoners; he has hit upon almost the only device by which he could effectually rid himself of most of them, and silence the rest. A rival prophet, Tohtj, has been set up by some of the Maoris, and Whakawiria, the chief of the insurgent Maoris, appears to render to Toner a greater respect than he accords to Te Whiti. A strong public feeling has been manifesting itself lately in favor of arresting Te Whiti and Hiroki, and thereby evincing the determination of the Government to enforce the law in the Taranaki district. It is said that, acting in accordance with this oft-repeated wish, the Government have taken steps which would enable them to arrest Te Whiti at almost any moment. The Press has apparently agreed to adopt a moderate tone in res pec b to this matter, and the more prudent of the community are willing to wait until the wishes of Parliament have been expressed in regard to the steps to be be taken at Taranaki. After all the expense which has been incurred, it is unlikely that things will be allowed to remain in statu quo. Sir William Fitzherbert has taken the oaths of office in connection with the Speakership • of the Upper House. In regard to the chair left vacant in the Lower House by his promotion, Mr. O'Rorke is said to be almost certain to be installed without much opposition. A great battle is announced for the Chairmanship of Committees. Mr. Bryce's name was mentioned, but he has declined the honor ; and said so plainly in reply to a question put to him when he met his constituents at Wanganui at the beginning of the month. We hear that Mr. Seymoxtk will be brought forward by the Opposition, and Mr. BrXNitfY by the Government party. We are loth to believe that the latter gentleman could stand a chance of nomination for such a responsi-

ble office. If it should ultimately appear that the report is well founded, we venture to predict that the number of votes which he will secure will be ridiculously small. With the exception of Mr. J. C. BROWN", there is probably no member of the House who is less respected than the senior member for the Wairarapa.