SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4471, 17 June 1876, Page 2

SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY TELEGRAMS.

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT

Wellington, June 16t6. The proceedings in the Houre'tu-day were Q& an extraordinary and unexpected character. It was supposed that only tormal notices wouki. be given, but Sir G-. Grey suddenly rose after the formal proceedings had been concluded^, and moved the suspension of the Standing; Orders, to enable him without notice to mova a resolution restraining the Government frona proceeding f nrther with the sale of the Piako Swamp, under an Order in Council gazetted <wk the 12th inst., until the House had anoppottunity of considering the matter. The Govern-, nient resisted the suspension of Standiny Orders; but, it being pointed out that lasts session a distinct promise had been given to brimr in a Bill to ratify the sale, bo as to allow Parliament to discuss it, while last week sot Order in Council waa issued to authorise t&a issue of the grant on tnu money being paid, the feeling of the House was ev.den.ly against the Government, and Sir G. Grey's motion was. regarded as lair and reasonable. Tue Government, however, pushed the matter to a division* and were beaten by nine votes. Thereupon, Sir George Grey moved his resolution, and quite a lively debate ensued, 11 oil nuenibeia and 14 new ones speaking--wjme of the latter very well indeed. Sir J. Vi/gttl urged tim withdrawal of the motion, promising that Oft. M-tioii should be taken for 1.4 ihi.v-. The Hon. Major Atkinson, however, took lii^lu-ryrounda,, mid declared he would issue the I'r.wu grout, and that, if this Rnise did not \l\ v U. the Govei ument would gu out. Bii• (■. Ull .> liisclaimed all party mutivea in his i;n)iiy>! vr previon^

canvassing, and wished to withdraw his motion, relying on. Sir J. Vote's promise. Ministers however, refused to allow it to bo withdrawn, and, on a division, members wore equal 2:1 on each side. Thts Speaker gave his cast'iii! vote with ih« Ministry, on 'the ground that it left tho m.visr open for further discusturn. After the doors w«re unlocked, it was a littlt* ivfkT the n«ual hour for the dinner adjournment. The Speaker fluid that on'y a few formal notices remained to bo given, and, it the House would sit for a few minutes, it need not moot fuain. The Hoi\ Mrjiieluuwon ■was just tr.ving a notice when Sir J. Yogel motioned him to sit down, and whispered a few words to the Speaker, who thw said he would resume the chair at. 7.:!0. It is fully expected that Ministers will resign. They owo their defont entirely to thi.-ir own wani of tact and bad management, Sir U, Douglas has given notice to move tho reply to the address, and Mr Basting.*, will second it, unless a crisis occur*.

The attendance at the opening ceremony to. day was scarcely so Urge a* usual. Tim day was blustering an.l nr.pleasant. The vory barren character of the speech is freely spoken of. A large number of papers wero laid on the table to-day, but they contain very little of interest. Amongst them is the Rabbit Commissioners' report, forwarded by Mr Macan drew, with tho request that as the Provincial Council cannot meet, tho Government will ask the Assembly to legislate to abate the nuisance.

Some members of the Council are indignant fibout a speech during the recess by Sir John Richardson, in which he spoke of a tyrannical majority forcing tho Abolition Act through, anil said ho endowed Sir George Grey's uncom plimentary remarks about the Legislative Council. If the Speaker does not.volunteer an explanation on the subject one will probably bo formally asked for from him.