Saturday, -24th June.

Otago Witness, Issue 1597, 1 July 1882, Page 12

Saturday, -24th June.

The Chief Justice (Sir James Prendergast) took the oath as Administrator of the Government to-day at Government House, before Mr Justice Richmond. The following Ministers were present :— The Premier, Colonial Treasurer, Colonial Secretary, Minister for Lands, and Mr Oliver. A few members of both Houses of the Legislature - attended, but none of the general public, although the proceedings, as usual, were open to all. There is a very strong feeling among members of Parliament, as well as among the public generally, as to the impropriety of Sir A. Gordon's coolly going away on six months' leave, and continuing to receive half salary at the rate of £3750 per annum for doing nothing, it being pretty well understood that it is not the present intention of the Home Government to fill his place until his half-year's leave is about to expire. The feeling of dissatisfaction to which I have alluded is finding expression in the shape of warm letters to the Press. The adjourned caucus of the Opposition -and (nominally) Independent members was 'held to-day at .the Parliamentary Buildings. 'The proceeding's occupied about two hours, out those present decline to say how many awmbers ftttowledj or who were present a.t it,

This reticence is very significant, m v view of the freedom with which a good attendance is always boasted of. The whips— Messrs Steward and Feldwick— furnished the following memo, as the official authorised version of what took pl ace; _"A meeting of Opposition and Independent members was held to-day at noon. A number of absent members sent proxies. There was a difference of opinion as to the expediency of electing a leader. Ulti matoly it was carried by a considerablmajority that a leader should be appointed. Some members stated that though they considered it would bo better not to appoint a leader at present, they would follow the one that might be appointed. On the motion of Mr Maeandrew, seconded by Mr Steward, Mr Montgomery was appointed leader. Mr Steward was unanimously requested to act as whip, which he agreed to do. Mr J. W. Thomson, member for Clutha, occupied tho chair." I am inclined to think this gives a fair though mild account of what was done, and of tho marked difference of opinion which prevails among the party, excepting that its "independent" element must not be understood in the ordinary sense as indicating members whose ideas are evenly balanced between tho two sides, but as rather disuniting the numerous members who call themselves Oppositin, but nevertheless prefer to fight in their own way, and to bo their own leaders.