WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1031, 2 September 1871, Page 5

WELLINGTON.

(prom our own correspondent.) I August 10th. The first week of the Session is now (>ver, and although little or nothing has i been done, an. amount of bitter party and personal spirit has been displayed which gives abundant promise of warm work to come. The general idea of the Speech was that there was nothing in it, and the debate in reply was therefore expected to be a mild one* Mr Pearce, one of our iiew Wellington men, moved it, and he niado a really excellent speech oiit of Very slender materials. He spoke better than he was ever known to speak before, and fairly astonished a good many people. He went into ecstacies over the native policy of the Government, and lauded the Native Minister to the skies, but his remarks in this direction were listened to in the most chilling and solemn silence, unbroken by the slightest applause. Generally lie avowed himself a Government supporter, but he did not approve, he said, of the San Francisco contract. On one or two points also he spoke in a way which induced Mr Stafford afterwards to remark that he would not have liked to have heard a supporter of his speak so when moving the Address. As for Mr Pearce saying that he owed his election to his being a supporter of the Government policy, it is all bunkum. He scarcely owed half a dozen votes to it, and the fact lost him many a score. Mr E. Richardson, of Christchurch, who seconded the Address, is not likely to tumble the reporters much with liis oratory. After he sat down, there was a pause, and at length Mr Stafford rose, with the air of a man whose position required him to say something, but who really had nothing particular to say. His speech was not a remarkable one in any way. He made a good hit in congratulating the Government on the great forbearance and self-denial it had exhibited in not availing itself of the assistance and counsel of the Assembly until the latest possible moment Mr Stafford spoke calmly and quietly, threatening nothing, and promising nothing, except, indeed, to help to pass any measxxre to settle population on the waste lands. Still there was throughout his speech a tone of thorough disapproval of the Ministerial proceedings, and it was evident that he meant mischief, and but bided his time. Mr Fox, of course, replied ; but there was nothing remarkable in his speech, with the exception of its not being an intemperate one, and his declaring, in regard to Todd a murder, that although the Government had not been able to avenge it, they hoped to do so some day, but that it was better to let it pass unavenged altogether, rather than risk plunging into war. Mr Gillies succeeded Mr Fox, and made a very bitter speech— one which showed him to be an uncompromising opjwiient. It was short, but to the point, and it certainly riled the Government a good deal Mr Gisborne followed, and he begau hy saying that Mr _ Gillies's speech was that of a disappointed man— a fount which has since led Mr Gillies to hiut pretty strongly that he possesses documents which will show whether he is a disappointed man or not. This is generally supposed to mean that overtures had been unsuccessfully made to him to join the Government. Mr Gisborne, however, snid he was a man disappointed at not having a share in the Administration, and that his speech was in strong contrast to that of Mr Stafford, who was capable of appreciating and approving of a policy, although at present \\e had no share in administering the Government. These words "at present" Aye*« strongly emphasised, and have been accepted *s corroborative of the rumour •which lias botu current for some time, to the effect that My Fox's retirement is not improbable, and tluii the rest of the Ministry would only be Wo glad to receive Mr Stafford as Premier and Minister of Public Works. The House would aJso giadly see a change of the kind, but the question is, how would Mr Vogel view it ? Mr Gisborne's speech was a mild vindication of the Government policy. Mr George M'L^n. w-as the next member to speak, and he im4ii ft telling assault on the Government, betraying, however, a good deal of feeling, it w*t£ thought, against Mr Vogel personally. His speech was thoroughly to the point, and his r<jmturks as to the necessity of having in the Ministry some strong Middle Island men able to keep Mr Vogel's theories in check were loudly cheered. Mr Bunny was the next to rise, suid he spoke strongly in favour of the Government. Mr Bunny and his inseparable aUy, Mr Haughton, liave now completely severed all connection with the party to which tfeey formerly belonged, and io which they adhered so long as it was in office. They •are now avowed Government hangers-on, and are even, it in said, appointed to t?he office they once held on the other side-*.

that of whips. Of course, like all renegades, they never miss an opportunity of showing their zeal in their new faith, and their bitterness against their old friends. Mr Haughton, the other night, for instance, taunted Mr Collins with being the latest convert to something or other. Mr Hall immediately advised the member for Hampden not to raise this question of the latest convert. The hit was at once taken by the House, and Mr Haughton himself laughed as heartily as every one else. No doubt if there was a change of Government he and Mr Bunny would be quite ready to return to their first love. Mr T. L. Shepherd began to speak on the Opposition side, but as soon as he rose everyone who could rushed out of the Hoiise. He spoke for a minute to almost empty benches, and then Mr Mervyn, who, with Mr Haughton, was evidently bent on putting Mr Shepherd down, entered the House and called the Speaker's attention to the state of the House. The bell was rung, and a House was made, but as soon as Mr Shepherd began to speak again the members again went out. Mr Shepherd continued, and there was great pushing and laughing in the lobby to get some one to again go in and calf attention to the state of the House. At last some young member did so, but Mr Shepherd quietly sat down and said he had clone. The Reply was then adopted. There is a most evident determination on the part of Mr Mervyn and some others to put Mr Shepherd down, and he quite understands it, and has plainly told them that it won't succeed. He says he is listened to in the Otago CoTincil, and he expects equally good treatment in the Assembly. If he does not try to talk too much, he will in the end get it. As yet, however, he has not been once well treated. The other day he moved for a Return showing the number of days taken for the delivery of mails during the last ten years to and fro between London and Dunedin, London and Lyttelton, London and Wellington, London and Nelson, London and Auckland, and London and Hokitika ; such return to show the names of the contractors (if any), the route by which such mails were conveyed, and the annual rate of subsidy paid by the colony (if any), for the whole or any portion or portions of such mails. Scores of more useless returns are ordered without remark every week, but Mr Mervyn and some others opposed this, although the Government had no objection to it, and on a division the motion was negatived by 29 to 10. In another matter, however, Mr Shepherd was more successful, and that was in upsetting the practice by which the Waste Lands Committees of the two Houses used to sit and vote together and agree to a joint report. In future, owing to an amendment moved by Mr Shepherd, on the motion appointing the Committees, the Representatives' Committee will act and report without reference to the Council's Committee, although for convenience sake, the two may sit and take evidence together. Mr Murray yesterday tried to add the names of Messrs Bathgate, Carrington, and M'Leocl, to the Waste Lands Committee, which already consists of 13 members, but i Mr Reynolds and other members protested .against the growing practice of adding members to committees until they became quite unwieldy, and on a division, the motion was lost by 23 to 22. Several other proposed additions to different committees I were also negatived. Mr Reynolds offered that if it was considered desirable that Mr Bathgate, as the framer of the new Otago Bill, should be one of the Committee, he j would gladly resign, in order to allow him to be added. When Mr Bathgate does come, I do not think there will be any difficulty in getting him added without any one's resigning. Mr Creighton facetiously offered to add the whole of the Otago members to the Committee, if they would give an undertaking to fight all their battles in the Committee, and not to bring the subject on the floor of the House at all. Mr Reynolds promptly refused to give any such undertaking. Young as the session is, we have already had a Ministerial question carried to a division, and although the Government were victorious, they have not much to pride themselves m\. The question arose in this way. Mr Coiii»s moved for a return of the names of all persons not in the Government service to whom the use of the telegraph had been granted, without payment, and the reasons for each case. In doing this, he only said a few words as to the existence of rumours to the effect tjiat the use of the wires had been grouted fpr election purposes to Government suppoj?tes?3, To the surprise of the House, Mr Fox assumed a virtuously indignant air — declared the question was one of confidence in the Government ; that they would not give any such return, and that iif the House could not trust them to i frank telegrams and letters they were unworthy to sit on those benches, and they would know what the carrying such a motion meant. It was absolutely necesi eary that the Government should maintain

confidential relations with many people not in the Government service, and all confidence would lie destroyed if the names of these people were to be paraded before the House. This was especially the case in regard to native chiefs, whose very life might pay the penalty of being known to be in communication with the Government. Mr Stafford very warmly supported the motion, and Mr Gisborne backed up his chief. Mr Gillies also supported the motion, and Mr Creighton proposed to exclude from the return all natives and matters connected with native affairs. Mr Fox wanted to know how the late Government would have liked nich a return, and then up jumped Mr Hall, who said that as having been Telegraph Commissioner he was jealous of the good name of the department, and he would only be too happy that the return slumld include the years the late Government was in office. Neither he nor his colleagues had ever given the free use of the wires to others or used them themselves except for Government purposes. When they wished to use them for political or party purposes they paid like any one else. Mr Steward supported the motion, and Mr Fitzherbert expressed his entire concurrence with what Mr Hall had said. He and Mr Hall both said it was absurd of the Government to resist the return and make it a Government question, and if it came to a division they would walk out of the House. Not a single member outside the Government rose on their side. On the question of Mr Creighton's amendment, excluding natives and their affairs from the return, the Government voted against, and Mr Collins and his friends for it, the numbers being 25 to 30. The original motion was then put, when Mr Hall, Mr Fitzherbert, and a number of other gentlemen, left the House. The motion was lost by 31 to 20. I think this little matter has dune the Government a good deal of harm, for the idea is now very general, and has been more than once referred to, that there must be something to conceal, or the Government would not have taken the stand they did. It is openly stated that during the late elections the Government supporters in various places were allowed the free use of the telegraph wires. Mr Gillies has obtained an order for the production of all papers relating to the cases Regina v. Barton and Begina i\ Lemon. In moving for them, he made no remark beyond saying that the cases would probably come up for discussion hereafter. Mr Fox promised the return, with the exception of some telegrams. All bearing upon the cases would, howevex', be furnished.

The Motueka election case has in one way or other been the piece rh rexistouce of the week. The petition against Sir David Monro's election is the only petition which is being prosecuted, and judging from the amount of personality and recrimination which has been occasioned by it, one has to be thankful that the other four petitions have been withdrawn. The Speaker, on the first day, called the attention of the House to the provisions of the Act, and stated that in his opinion it was utterly impossible to comply literally with them. He, however, indicated how he thought the spirit of the Act might be complied with, and the House authorised him to carry out his own scheme. Then the Maori members were formally excused from service on the Committee, and a motion was made to also exclude the Ministers. To this, however, Mr Fox objected, and the proposal was not pressed. The parties were then written to each to appoint a member to represent them on the Committee, and Mr Parker, the petitioner, appointed Mr Bunny. Mr Travers, the agent for Sir D. Monro, however, wrote contending that as the requirements of the Act had not been literally complied with by the j House, the petition must be held to have lapsed for non-prosecution. On this, Mr i Fox moved a resolution confirming the course of action already taken. Mr Stafford moved an amendment in favour of taking the Attorney-General's opinion lon the law before taking any further action. He, Mr Gillies, Mr Thomson, and others, contended that the House was sitting in its judicial capacity in trying an election case, and that it was as strictly bound to administer the law as it found it as any other Court, and could not override that law by mere resolution. Mr Hall suggested that both parties should be heard by counsel at tho bar before anything more was done, but Mr Fox refused to adopt either suggestion, and after an acrimonious debate the motion was earned. Mr Travers then appointed Mr Gillies as Sir David Monro's representative, and the Speaker appointed Mr Brandon as Chairman. In the course uf the cjebate Mr Stafford and other members expressed an opinion in favour of following the late English precedent, and referring the trial of election petitions to a Judge of the Supreme Court. The Speaker also expressed a very strong opinion that he should be relieved of the unpleasant task of, "haying to nominate a chairman of each

Petition Committee. The Committee in the Motueka case has since been completed by each of the parties alternately j striking names off the roll until only four were left. The Committee, which has now to decide as to who is the rightful member for Motueka, consists of Mr Brandon (chairman), .and Messrs Bunny, Gillies, Studholme,Fitzherbert, Pearce, and M 'Gillivray. I should say this was a very bad Committee for Sir David, and that if there is a chance given by the facts, he will be unseated. The Government is using every effort to secure that object, and the majority of the Committee are Government supporters. The great light in regard to this case, however, was over the motion for the second reading of the Bill for the better regulation of election petition cases alluded to in the Governor's speech. Mr Fox moved it as a mere formal affair, the object of which was to assimilate our law to that of England by taking away from witnesses in election petitions the right of refusing to answer any question, on the ground that it would criminate themselves. It was proposed to give them a certificate protecting them from all the consequences of answering. Mr Stafford immediately rose, and moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months, drawing attention to a clause to which Mr Fox had not referred, and which made the Act applicable to all petitions commenced or pending before or at the time of the passing of the Act. He declared that the Government was with indecent haste attempting to pass a Bill specially intended to apply to, and affect, Sir D. Monro's case. This implication, however, Mr Stafford afterwards withdrew, on being assured by the Government that the Bill had been prepared when five petitions — the majority of which were against Government supporters — were pending. He said it would have been better, however, had the Government not attempted to push the Bill forward when the Motueka petition was the only one being prosecuted. The debate was a very warm one, the whole question of Government interference in elections being raised, and member after member charging the Government with such interference. Sir David Monro charged Mr Fox with using the whole machinery of Government to oppose his return, and afterwards to back up his opponent in petitioning. Mr Fox denied having done this, but maintained that as our system of Government was a party one, and Ministers were the heads of a party ; it was quite legitimate for them to use all the influence they possessed to secure the election of their o-wn adherents. Their policy, he emphatically exclaimed, was not to pass over their friends and leave them out in the cold, for the benefit of their opponents. At the same time, he declared no Government had ever before interfered so little in elections, and as a proof he j^ointed out what he said the Government might have legitimately done. Knowing that the Motueka election would be a close one, and that the Returning Officer, if it came to his casting vote, would vote for Sir D. Monro, the Government might have removed that officer and replaced him by one who would have voted different!}'. They did not do this, however, and their not doing it, Mr Fox seemed to think an act of almost Roman virtue. One member, however, hinted their had they known in time that the matter would really come to a casting vote, they might not have exercised so much self-denial. Sir David Monro, also, in the debate referred to Mr Fox's interference in the action for libel against Luckie, of the Colonist, and the affidavit he had sworn in that ease. After giving his own version of tho clock case, Sir David charged Mr Fox with gross inaccuracies in his affidavit, and pointed out several. To this, Mr Fox replied by giving Ins version of the clock case, and his being called on to interfere in the case against Luckie. He became virtuously indignant at Sir David's having tried to crush and ruin a poor man by tho high handed proceeding of a criminal information for libel. The effect of this, however, was utterly spoiled by Mr Gillies subsequently saying that, after their own proceedings against Mr Barton, the less the Government said about attempts to crush, the better. Mr Fox further charged Sir David with being guilty of a great deal of loose swearing in his affidavit. Mr Gillies said he was a Minister in 18C2, when the clock case occurred, and his recollection of the facts, as well as his notes made at the time, differed entirely from the facts set out in Mr Fox's affidavit. He challenged that gentleman to lay a copy of the affidavit on the table of the House, and he also challenged him to deny that he was connected with the authorship of the article in the Colonist, on which the proceedings against Luckie were taken. Mr Fox i-emained silent. During the debate reference was made to the Luna's being used for election purposes, but Mr M'Lean denied most positively that there was any truth in the

assertion. The debate was ultimately adjourned for three weeks, in order that the Bill might not be passed in time to have any influence on the proceedings of the Motueka Committee. August 23 st. Mr Maauidrcw's Resolutions for a Middle Island province attract little or no attention, and will probably be quietly negatived without much debate. The old members are getting used to this sort of thing, and look upon it as a mild Otago piece of insanity. They will say little or nothing on them, but a few of the young members may seize on the opportunity to air their eloquence. There is not, however, any chance of the resolutions being carried. Taiaroa's resolutions in favour of a Maori Council for the Middle Island stand a better chance, as being the first motion ever made by a Maori member ; but it is difficult to understand what par ticular good the Council in question would efl'ect, if created.

Mr W. A. Murray the other day asked the Government a whole string of questions, the most important of which was, whether they intended to bring in a Bill to encourage the improvement of land in New Zealand on a similar principle to the Imperial Drainage Acts, 9 and 10 Victoria. Mr Fox replied that the Government did not intend to bring in such ti Bill, but approved of the principle, the wily difficulty being as to where the Government was to get the money to lend to the landowners. This difficulty, however, he hinted, might be overcome. Mr Murray, who has for years made a hobby of this particular subject, has since given notice of his intention to bring in the Bill himself. Another question of his elicited from the Government the fact that the Imperial Government had not as yet communicated its decision regarding the Colonial Reciprocity Act, passed last session, and reserved for the Queen's pleasure. Another question was, whether the Government intended to establish a State Bank of issue. The reply to this was to the effect that the Government had not given the matter consideration.

Mr Steward, of Oamaru, rather amused the House the other night by moving to add the name of Mr J. C. Brown to the Reporting Debates Committee, giving as a reason that Mr Brown was connected with the fourth estate. Mr Reynolds at this became indignant, and declared that he was nil >ro intimately connected with the press than Mr Brown, as he had sunk £3000 in newspapers. The House on the voices refused to add Mr Brown's name. In connection with this subject I may mention that the publication of Hansard is temporarily supended owing to a strike sunongst tlie compositors. The Government Printer was paying fourteen pence per 1000, and the men strack for eighteen pence. The matter was referred to the Reporting Committee, and they agreed to give fifteen pence, but no more. This the men have, I believe, refused to accept, and so, pending some arrangement, members are correcting their speeches in manuscript, which is then stored up until circumstances will allow of its being printed. The Government Printer is, I believe, very anxious t< » get the printing of Hansard out of his office altogether, and he has recommended to the Committee to make an arrangement with the Independent for printing ten columns daily of the copy supplied by the Hansard reporters. The Committee, however, does not particularly incline towards the suggestion.

Mr Haughton the other day wanted to \ ii' i\v whether the Government had had Hioir attention directed towards the inilux of Chhwho to Otago. The Treasurer's reply was that they of course knew that a yood many Chinese were coming there, hut that neitkuz* the Provincial Government nor any otktr constituted body had made any representation on the subject. Mr Morvyii wanted to know why the line of telegraph had nut been continued between Alexandra and Naseby. The reply was that the cost of the line would be £2700, and that the other line had been preferred as being cheaper and better.

Mr Steward lias given notice of a question about the introduction of a Bill giving -workmen a lien over money clue by a contractor to a contractor, but as the Government has already introduced a bill of this kind in the Legislative Council the question is unnecessary. Mr Waterhouse's Bill for legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister does not seem to attract very much attention, atfid I thmk that it is not unlikely that •it -will pass. At least, if it guts through the ■CVuncil, the most dangerous part of its claw will have been got over.

TUeH<«<mnihloij, having nothing better •to do, anU'U*'d themselves the other day Ihy discussing a motion of Mr John M Lean's, affirming it to be desirable that the Speaker of the Council should wear a similar costume to that worn by the Presidents pf the Legislative Councils in

the Australian colonies. Mr M'Lean made a capital speech in support of the motion, and a chaffing debate followed. Some of the ex-military members, Avho abound in the Coxmcil, strongly protested against a head which had worn a helmet being subjected to the indignity of wearing a wig, and ultimately the motion was withdrawn. So, for the present, the honourable and gallant speaker will have to be content with gown and bands, minus a wig.

Mr Macandrcw's Bill for taking a portion of the Dunedin Town Belt for the purposes of a new cemetery, at present stands referred to the Select Committee whose function it is to decide whether doubtful Bills come within the category of private Bills. If declared to be a public Bill, this one will certainly meet with some opposition. Mr Reynolds certainly does not like it, but he has said that he will not oppose it, as to do so. would be very unpopular with his constituents. Mr T. L. Shepherd says he will oppose it. Mr Stafford is opposed to allowing any new cemeteries within the limits of any town, and speaks strongly of the necessity of passing a general measure for closing all existing cemeteries in towns after due notice had been given, so as to enable other cemeteries to be opened. Mr Macandrew jokingly offered to withdraw the Bill if Mr Stafford would introduce one rendering the practice of incremation compulsory. The reporting in the Wellington local papers this session is simply abominable, and already two or three complaints have been made of members being made to say exactly the opposite of what they did say. Mr Vogel landed from the Nevada just after dark last night, but there was no demonstration of any kind. A large number of people were present, and one enterprising individual called for three cheers, but the appeal was not responded to. Mr Yogel is suffering from gout, and looks ill and overworked. He is, of course, attended by Mr E. Fox, his private secretary ; and Mr J. Carruthers, the newly appointed railway engineer in chief for the colony, has come in his train, as well as two representatives of the great contractors A. Brogden and Co. Mr Stewart, of the San Francisco tirm of Collie and Stewart, "Webb's agents, is also here, and Mr Webb himself is expected by the next boat. Very considerable changes and modifications in the present service will, it is understood, be proposed almost immediately. Now that Mr Vogel is back, we may indeed fairly anticipate that the work of the session will commence in earnest, and very warm work it will be, or lam mistaken. The Government will this week have to ask for an imprest supply, and over this there will probably be some talk about unauthorised expenditure. As Mr G. M'Lean said the j other night, however, what is the use of talking about illegal expenditure when the Government can give themselves free pardons I The remark caused considerable laughter. j The new writ for Auckland City West went up by the Wellington on Saturday, and with it went Mr John Williamson, the unseated member. He has resigned his Government appointment, and intends to offer himself for re-election. The fact is, the Government cannot afford to lose Mr Williamson. He is regarded as about the only Government supporter who would have a chance of the seat, and the Government sees pretty clearly that votes Avill all be wanted before the session is over. It is reported, and I believe with some truth, that Mr Williamson has received a promise from the Government of re-appointment at the end of the session to his old offices, or others of equal value.

The Council of the New Zealand University is to meet here on Wednesday, and Mr Carleton, the Vice-Cliancellor, arrived to day by the Tavanaki, Mr Tancred is expected by the Gothenburg. The Catholics of Wellington are taking steps to petition the Assembly in favour of a denominational system of education.

The flax exhibition arranged by Dr Hector and Col. Haultain is now open at the Museum, and is very interesting. Flax samples in every variety of preparation and manufacture are collected, and it is really wonderful to notice the number of uses to which it can be applied. For the purposes of comparison, samples of all other known fibres are shown.

The long unsolved problem of smelting the Taranaki iron sand has at length been satisfactorily solved under the direction of Mr E. M. Smith, the Government armourer. By direction of the Government he recently erected a small blast furnace at Mount Cook barracks, and then tried 10 cwt. of t\vz sand, from which, without the slightest trouble, lustween 4 and U cwt, of pure steel was .obtained. No difficulty was .experienced in separating the slag, and practical men consider the experiment conclusive,* as showing that steel worth £50 a km can be produced from the sand at a cost of little wore thau £15 per ton. Some audacious thief has dared. t<? yob

His Excellency the Governor of a quantity of plate, in the shape of some two or throe dozen silver spoons and forks. The robbery took place on the day of the presentation by the Representatives of their reply to the speech, and a good deal of chaft has accordingly been indulged in. At present no due has been obtained as to the perpetrator of the robbery.