POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1651, 14 July 1883, Page 19

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

[Bt Tf.legbaph.l (feom oub own correspondent.) Wellington, July 11. The Joint Committee on Bills reported to-day * ' that the New Zealand Native Lands Company's Bill was a private bill, and it will consequently be' allowed to proceed in the usual way. Tho ' second reading will probably be moved on Friday, but I am in a position to state it will be ■ 'negatived by a considerable majority. The ■ ' promoters of the bill have no hope of its going through, and would be glad to withdraw it at ' • its' present stage. Sir George Grey has as yet * made no ' signs as to the course he intends to ■ adopt when the bill is before the House. ' ■ • The debate on Mr Montgomery's resolutions ' 'Basso far been of a most dreary character, and nobody appears' to, take the slightest interest in the question at issue. The House to-night ' presented a most deserted appearance, there « being little more than a bare quorum up to the ; half-past 10 adjournment. It was generally : expected that! the division would come off to- ' night,' but I hear several Opposition members intend speaking before the debate closes. ■■ " The Native Minister this' afternoon 'made rather a smart reply to Mr Bracken. .The " ! latter Wked him whether he will issue instruc- •• tioris, to the police authorities to exercise a vigilant watchfulness at the various ports of ' the Colony in order to prevent James Carey ; and' the other Phoenix Park , murderers and informers from' landing here. . Mr Bryce said - he was' well aware the hoti. member for Dunedin Central considered him a pretty highhanded(individual, but he was not quite so high-handed as to 'act in the manner desired 1 by the hon. gentleman.