WELLINGTON NOTES.

Oxford Observer, Volume V, Issue V, 30 June 1894, Page 3

WELLINGTON NOTES.

On the morning of the 21st of June Wellington was keenly alive to the fact that her income from the Civil Service was about to be doubled. As the various Representatives arrived by rail and steamer a close scrutiny to find old faces among new men was made and when found ,vas sure of a" hearty reception. The House was opened by Commission this Season .as the first business to be done was the election of a Speaker. „ 7. On the. Commission being read the Members, moved from the Upper to the lower Chamber Vwhere Mr Saunders in an able speech proposed Sir G. M. O'Rprke the Veteran this "was promptly followed by Mr Hall Jones proposing Major Stewart the Speaker of- the last Parliament. Wh'le. making no -party question of this matter* Mr Seddon supported the- Candidature of 'the Northern Claimant while on division the Canterbury Members filed>7out at the Noes lobby and loyaly supported the .Canterbury Mali. Some Of them were not 7 sorry "'that Sir- Maurice O'Rorke was to occupy the Chair of 1 the House his ability in tbat capacity

being undeniable. On Friday notices of motion questions were tabled but the principal interest was in the Waitemata Writ for Election being too soon issued and the Tuapeka too slow the Premier stood the combined fire of three legal big guns Sir R. Stout, Mr G. Hutchison and H. D. Bell and scored the House considered the explanation satisfactory a delayed telegram explained the Tuapeka delay and the Government took the responsibility of the writ for the Waitemata Election presumeably holding the opinion that if a small gum field township drank beer at Mr Monks expense it was no reason that the whole Electorate should be disfranchised for a term. Tuesday 26th found members settled in their seats for the regular business of Parliament. Notices of Questions and Bills read a first time took up the time f till 5 p.m, and at 730 the address in re- A ply was delivered by Mr Montgomery member for Ellesmere and seconded by Mr O'Regan these gentlemen in able speeches pointed out the position of the' Colony and its future policy in a manner that left little doubt but the newmembers understand the wants and. wishes of the Colony. Captain Russell followed in his best siyle, congratu- ■ lating the Member for Ellesmere in ably filling the place of the late bader of the Opposition Hon. W. Rolleston and then launched out in condemnation of the general policy of tlie Government but promised to support the Labour Bills, altogether his speech a telling effect. He was followed by the Minister for Education, W. P. Reeves who scathingly refuted the assertions of the Member for Hawkes Bay that the Government was responsible for bad crops and low prices and twitted him on the poor result per acre on the Opposition Benches but congratulated him on the good quality of the crop this hit was received with cheers by the House, - Mr Pirani followed denouncing bogus Land Settlers an* was followed "bj Mr , Duthie who ably denounced the land policy of Hon. Minister for Lands following up this by a slashing attack on the policy of changing the Railway Commissioners and treatment of Railway. Servants. Mr Duthie finished at 12.45., and the r debate was immediately adjourned. Re Local matters your correspondent is informed that the Bill empowering the Waimakariri Ashley Water Supply Board to raise a loan to pay past debt? and further a Water Supply for the District has been placed in the hands of the Government Solicitor with a view to bring the whole or part of it in: as a Government measure. Also ihat the report of Mr Gordon sent by the Mines Dept. to report on the various Intakes proposed is now ready and will be down in the course of a few days. Even in Wellington one cannot always see official documents, but I am informed that the report is against the Rock Ford Scheme and favours a lower Intake with some new departures in reference to irrigation water and tbe cost per acre is likely to be much les3<than was expected.