The Upper House.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 4996, 10 June 1891, Page 3

The Upper House.

(by telegraph.) [from our own correspo.vde.nt] " Wellington, June 9. The 2\ew Zealand Times, not knowing how to trim its sails, has the following this morning relating to the Upper House : —•' In considering the condition of the Upper House, the first thing that strikes • >ne is the deith roll of that chamber. Tt is a very large death roll. During the last half-dozen years, not less than fourteen have joined the majority. Six years ago the number of members was fifty-one ; today there are only thirty-six of the old members. One retirement (that is Mr Waterliouse's) and fourteen deaths have thus reduced the number in that short time. Messrs Brandon, Brett, Campbell. Fitzherbert, Henderson, Johnston, Lahmann, Menzies. Nurse, Peters, Reeves, Richmond. Robinson, and Williamson. It is a melancholy pn>cession of honored names. Wellington has lost three representatives—using the wortls in a very broad sense, —Auckland has lost two, Canterbury four, Otago three, Nelson one, and Westland one. Of the thirtysix who remain, one is not sure of his membership, and the question in his case is a difficult one, and one for the Speaker of the Council to deal with. By the January appointments the number of members is brought up to a nominal forty-two. The strength of the Council being more than half the strength of the representative House, there is no hurry for making any fresh appointments. In the ordinary course of nature, especially if the death rate is likely to keep up, the necessity for filling a certain number of vacancies is within measurable distance. The time is favorable for the introduction of a measure limiting the tenure of office. It was freely said when the last appointments were made that the new members were all pledged to support such a measure. The Council lias, moreover, always expressed itself as favorable to some simple reform. We do not anticipate. therefore, that tHere will be much difficulty when the Government measures come before the Council. Public opinion is in favor of a time limit, and the Council seldom goes against public opinion. "This only hides the seriousness of the position. How is it possible for a Ministry to conduct the business of the colony when it is in a minority of fifteen I My experience is, moreover, that the Council is generally opjxwed to public opinion. The statements that Ministers intend to make large appointments to the Upper House is utterly untrue. I have excellent authority for saying that, provided the Legislative Council "pass the Government measures which meet with the approval of the Lower House, and also pass the Legislative Reform Bill, no appointments will be made. If the Council persist in opposing the expressed will of the people, steps will be taken to force them to do their duty, not necessarily by making new appointments. If. however. Government is driven to makiug Legislative appointments, every man appointed will be first pledged to his own extinction, probably by handing in his resignation, to be used if he votes against a Bill for the reformation of the Chamber, or some such measure. June 10. The Bill for the reform of the Upper House provides for appointments for seven years only, and for the seats to be vacated if the holders are. absent for one session only. Private members ■will probably introduce a clause granting those who were appointed before the passage of the Bill the privileges of using tne general I library and book 6 and a free railway pass on retirement.

Meeting of Creditors. A meeting of creditors in the estate of William Craig, farmer, of Awamoko, was held this afternoon. There were represented Messrs Meek (L 1700), A. Owens (L 482), Jardine (L 46 17s), and Holmes (L 69). The Deputy-Assignee presided, and Mr Harvey appeared for bankrupt. Bankrupt (sworn) stated that he had been out of his farm for two years. Messrs J. and T. Meek had been running him. The mortgagee foreclosed. Part of his plant was under bill of sale to Messrs J. and T. Meek for LIOOO, and they took possession. The property not under bill of sale had been sold by the N.Z.L. and M. A. Company. He had been working for wages since he lost the farm. He had no property other than what appeared in his statement. Some of his horses were sold by Fleming and Hedley last November. He only got Ll3 from Fleming and Hedley after paying expenses of sale. He got L4O from Mr Fleming and bought four horses to make up a second team ; two of the horses died and he had to sell the others. He had 110 horse or dray. His hack was sold by Fleming and Hedley. The money he received fi">m Owen .all went into the farm. Part was work and part wages. Mr Meek had got a judgment against him in the Court. He had no reason for waiting till the case was heard before signing. He thought he signed his petition the day that judgment was given against him, before the Court sat. There was no suggestion made to let the cise be heard first and file afterwards. His blacksmiths' tools were sold at the sale by the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. It was resolved to realise the assets.