SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1583, 25 March 1882, Page 14

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

|f (hbqm our own cobrespondents.)

'„' '' Wellington, March 22nd. At themeetingof Cabinet held this afternoon, it was finally decided that Parliament should meet " for despatch of business " on Thursday, 18th May, at 2 p.m. It is ruinouredj but I do not know whether on anv' trustworthy authority, that after the preliminary trial of strength on the question of the of. Chairman of Committees, the Opposition will probably move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, or rather an addition to it, censuring Government for not calling the new Parliament together at an earlier date, or at any rate expressing the regret of the House that this had not beeri 'done.' ' "I believe some of the leadings Opposition members are very sanguine >k>&. making a catch victory on .that point, and so embarrassing Ministers by a defeat at so- early a stage, even if no immediate practical result should accrue. This of course may bo?mere .gossip, but it has an air of vraisemblance, so Lgive it for what it is worth. Ministers will assemble early next month, and will be closely engaged during the following six j weeks in preparation of measures -for, introduction. At present it is not contemplated to attempt any very large amount of legislation outside of the bills abandoned last year. The now loan and Public Works scheme, the local government bills, and the reform of Parliamentary procedure are likely to be tho xrieccs de> resistance. ,

It is now confidently expected that the property tax will realise the full amount estimated to bo yielded during the current financial year, which ends on the 31st inst. Sums continue to drop in- daily, and the 10 per cent, penalty on laggards is 1 being rigidly enforced.

The seal 6f the Colony was formally aypehded.to the Welliiigton-Manawatu railway contract at a special meeting of tho Executive Council held this afternoon. I hear shaves to the value of nearly £200,000 a.re already taken jjp in this city.