WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17.

Otago Witness, Volume 25, Issue 2321, 25 August 1898, Page 25

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17.

The Legislative Council met on Wednesday, but after transacting formal business -was adjourned.

In the House of Representatives yesterday the debate on the Financial Statement was continued. Captain Russell's amendment re rolling stock for the railways was rejected by 37 to 29, after which the dißcussion on the original motion to go into Committee of Supply was continued. •? THE NO-CONFIDENCE DIVISION. At about half-raat 3 o'clock this afternoon a divieion was taken on Captain Russell's amendment calling upon the Government to take immediate steps to have the necessary railway rolling stock constructed. The Left Wing were divided, aud one or two waverers among the Government following succumbed to Ministerial pressure, the Government hay- ; ing staked their official life on the result of ■ the voting. Under these circumstanoes, it is not surprising that the Premior had a sub- • stantial majority, though one hardly expected ; that it would be as large as 12. The amend- ■ inent proved instructive, as showing the utter ; insincerity of Ministers in this connection. At the outset they endeavoured to prevent ' tlie Opposition from discussing the Statement [ by holding out a threat that by so doing they would be keeping a large number of men con- , nected with the railway workshops out of employment. Taking Ministers at their word, [ the Opposition at once moved that the Go- } vernxnent should forthwith provide these men with work, and if the Government were m • earnest they would have accepted the amendment, and the men about •whose -welfare they profeeeed to be so much concerned might have been eet to work to-moiTOw with the full con- \ sent of the House. However, Ministers were , evidently not so anxious to actually provide , these men with work as lo get the credit for \ so doing. It would never do to be forced to acoept a suggestion from their opponent?, ■ however beneficial to the workers of the

'J'JIE Njilu ZEALAXD CROSS. Mr G. Hutchison has presented a petition protesting against the action of the Defence department in recently conferring the New Zealand cross on Hurry wrigg, of Auckland. The petitioners allege that such, a presentation 30 years after the termination of a war is unheard of in history, and declare that Mr Wrigg's name was never known, nor was he over spoken of in 1867 as having exhibited ar>y personal courage. It is further pointed out that Colonel St. John, the officer commanding at Opotiki in 1867, though he had lived for 10 years after Mr Wrigg's alleged bravery, never officially recommended Mr Wrigg for any decoration, or even honourably mentioned his name, and the petitioners state that undoubted evidence can be procured to prove that Colonel St. John's opinion with regard to Mr Wrk*g would never have allowed him to recommend Mr Wrigg for any military distinction. Other roasoiis opposed to the action of the Defence department are given by the petitioners, who served as officers or troopers during the Maori troubles. JOTTINGS. I

Mr Smith has presented a petition from the members of the New Zealand branch of the Woman's Christian Union praying Jor legislation to prohibit young persons from smoking cigarettes. Mr Morrison presented a petition from James M'AulifFe, who was shot in the thigh by a man whom he had discovered prowling about Todd Bros, premises in Caversham on the night of July 15. Petitioner asks for consideration on account of the injuries sustained, medical expenses, and present and prospective inability to follow his occupation. , The petition of James Peterson and others, from Waikawa, Southland, praying for a reduction of rent, lias been referred to the Government for consideration.

A petition has been presented by Mr Gilfedder, on behalf of some Southland settlers, who state that they are under great disadvantage through two and a-half miles of railway from Nightcaps to Wairio being owned by a private company. The petitioners desire the Government to purchase the line in question. The Agricultural Committee are still considering the Orchards and Garden Pests Bill, and taking evidence regarding remedial measures. The evidence taken will probably run into 300 or 400 pages. It is being printed, and orchardists are likely to get many valuable hints from it. Mr O'Rogan wants a select committee of both Houses to inquire into and report, with a view to coal being disposed of at more reasonable rates. Mr Moore is asking for details of the distiess warrants issued in each mining district for non-payment of rents accrued.